The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (PM Memorial) in New Delhi has reportedly requested Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to return personal letters written by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to historical figures such as Edwina Mountbatten and Albert Einstein. According to a report by India Today on December 16, the letters, believed to be in the possession of Sonia Gandhi, hold immense historical significance and are sought by the museum for public display and scholarly access.
This request follows an earlier letter sent to Sonia Gandhi in September, urging her to facilitate the return of these documents, or at least provide their digital or photographic copies. The letters, reportedly numbering enough to fill 51 cartons, were initially given to the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (now PMML) in 1971 but were allegedly taken by Sonia Gandhi in 2008.
Key Figures and Historical Context
The letters include Nehru’s correspondence with a variety of prominent figures, including Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, and Govind Ballabh Pant. However, the most controversial aspect is the alleged letters exchanged with Edwina Mountbatten, wife of the last British Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten.
While the exact nature of Nehru’s relationship with Edwina Mountbatten remains a topic of debate among historians, BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the perceived secrecy surrounding these letters. Posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Malviya questioned why there was a need for what he termed “censorship” of Nehru’s correspondence with Edwina.
PMML’s Statement on Historical Importance
Rizwan Kadri, the director of the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML), reportedly emphasized in his letter to Rahul Gandhi that the documents are of profound historical value. Kadri suggested that making them accessible to researchers and the public would provide crucial insights into a transformative period in India’s history.
Political Reactions
The BJP has seized on the issue to criticize the Congress, framing it as an attempt to suppress aspects of Nehru’s legacy. The Congress has yet to issue an official response, and neither Rahul Gandhi nor Sonia Gandhi has commented on the matter as of now.
What’s at Stake?
The controversy underscores ongoing debates about the management of personal and national archives. While the BJP accuses the Congress of withholding documents of historical relevance, the Congress may argue that the letters, given their personal nature, deserve privacy.
The matter has ignited fresh discussions about transparency and the ownership of historical records, as well as the legacy of one of India’s most prominent leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru.