NEW DELHI — The great-grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi said Monday that he has launched a fundraising campaign to buy a rare collection of the Indian independence leader's personal items that are up for auction and bring them back to India.

The collection, including Gandhi's distinctive round wire-rim eyeglasses, is being auctioned next month in New York.

Tushar Gandhi said selling the belongings of his great-grandfather — who espoused a life of poverty and had very few possessions — was "immoral" because "they belong to India and the people of India."

He said he is trying to raise at least $300,000 to be able to have a serious chance of buying the items.

"At the moment we don't even have a third of that amount, but I'm very hopeful of raising the money," he said.

The personal effects of Gandhi, who was also known as "Mahatma" or "great soul," consist of a pair of eyeglasses, worn leather sandals, a pocket watch and a simple brass bowl and plate. They will be sold as a single lot on March 5 by Antiquorum Auctioneers.

Inquiries from prospective buyers have been pouring in from around the globe, Julien Scharer of the auctioneers said last week.

The items were consigned by a private American collector who obtained them from the descendants of the Gandhi family, Scharer said.

There was no immediate comment from Antiquorum on Tushar Gandhi's criticism of the auction.