The Prime Ministers' Museum and Library (PMML) has requested the return of a significant collection of personal letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru, which were sent to Sonia Gandhi in 2008 during the UPA regime.
Sonia Gandhi had reportedly deputed a representative to take away a huge part of “donated” Jawaharlal Nehru papers from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in 2008.
Ahmedabad-based historian Rizwan Kadri said in his letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that these papers pertain to Nehru’s correspondence with Edwina Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, Aruna Asaf Ali and Jayaprakash Narayan, among others.
“On September 9, I wrote to Sonia Gandhi Ji and now again I have written to Rahul Gandhi. In the letter, I have requested Rahul Gandhi and mentioned that whatever collection has been withdrawn in 2008 on the behest of Sonia Gandhi Ji, which has around 51 cartons, should be returned," Kadri told News18.
These included the letters relating to personalities, such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Padmaja Naidu, Edwina Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, Aruna Asaf Ali, Vijaya Laxmi Pandit, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Govind Ballabh Pant, according to Kadri.
The NMML Society (now Prime Ministers Museum & Library, or PMML), discussed this widely during their last Annual General Meeting in February this year, stated the letter.
In his letter to Sonia Gandhi, Kadri said it is “crucial that these records remain accessible to ensure comprehensive understanding of our nation’s history”. He had also requested Sonia to either return the papers, provide copies, or offer digitised access.
The PMML was originally established in PM Nehru's former residence, the Teen Murti Bhavan in New Delhi.
What does BJP say?
Citing the Indian Express report, national Spokesperson of BJP Sambit Patra said “this is intriguing”. “From What’s today the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library & formerly Nehru Museum and Library, the then UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi took away 51 cartoons of letters written by Nehru to various personalities including EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN,” Patra posted on X.
“What intrigues me is what would have Nehru ji written to EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN that needed censoring and will LOP Rahul help getting back the letters between Nehru and Edwina," said Patra.
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