The manuscript of an article written by Mahatma Gandhi just 19 days before his assassination will not be auctioned in London tomorrow so that the Indian government can acquire it. “The Christie’s have agreed to withdraw Mahatma Gandhi’s manuscript from tomorrow’s auction to facilitate the Government of India to acquire it,” Dr Amin Jaffar, International Director of auction house Christie’s said today.

“We decided to have facilitating negotiations which have resulted in an important historical record returning to India,” Jaffar said in a release signed by Matthew Paton of the Christie’s press office.

Indian High Commission sources in London were quoted by news agency PTI as saying that they were in discussions with the auction house to get the manuscript on behalf of the Government. “We are currently in discussions with the auction house on the modalities of acquiring the letter on behalf of the Government of India,” the sources said.

Gandhi’s article, his “last” on Hindu-Muslim unity written for journal Harijan, was among the letters of famous personalities that were to go under the hammer.

Nehru Museum director Mridula Mukherjee said, “I hope that Christie’s and the person who sold the paper to them are convinced that the legal title of this document is with the Navjivan Trust.” The Trust is the legal heir of Gandhi’s writings.