BJP claims that Jawaharlal Nehru’s correspondence, currently with Sonia Gandhi, are historical documents of national importance.
BJP Claims : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for the immediate return of correspondence authored by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, which were reportedly transferred to the residence of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi in 2008. These letters, addressed to several eminent personalities, are deemed significant historical artifacts and were allegedly moved from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML).
Last year, the NMML was renamed the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML), emphasizing its broader focus on India’s prime ministerial legacy.
“Not Mere Letters, But Historical Documents”
Speaking at a press conference, BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra raised concerns over the relocation of these important documents, which include Nehru’s correspondence with prominent figures such as Lady Mountbatten, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Jayaprakash Narayan.
“These letters are not private property; they are a part of India’s history,” Mr. Patra asserted. “The nation has a right to know the contents of these discussions, which played a critical role in shaping India’s destiny.”
Mr. Patra criticized the decision to transfer the letters to Sonia Gandhi’s residence, calling it an act that undermined their historical significance.
BJP’s Demand
The BJP has demanded that these documents be restored to the custody of the PMML, where they can be preserved and studied as part of India’s heritage. “These letters must be accessible to the people of India, scholars, and historians, as they offer insights into the country’s formative years,” said Mr. Patra.
The Congress party has yet to respond to the BJP’s allegations.
This controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the ownership and management of historical artifacts tied to India’s first Prime Minister and the Congress party’s legacy.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sambit-patra-slams-congress-after-pm-museum-and-library-demands-return-of-nehru-documents/article68991101.ece