NEW DELHI: A fresh controversy has arisen concerning historical records related to Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. Rizwan Kadri, a historian and an active member of the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) Society, has made an impassioned appeal to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for the return or digitization of private papers belonging to Nehru. These documents, housed earlier at the PMML, were reportedly withdrawn during Gandhi’s tenure as a family representative.
Kadri revealed that around 51 boxes of records, including correspondence with notable figures such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Edwina Mountbatten, and Albert Einstein, are missing from the PMML archives. These documents, he argues, are indispensable for academic research and a thorough understanding of Nehru’s pivotal role in shaping modern India. He emphasized the importance of unbiased and apolitical access to these archives, stating, “Pandit Nehru’s legacy deserves comprehensive academic study, free from political narratives.”
Kadri’s letter, dated September 9, 2024, proposed practical solutions to resolve the impasse. These include digitizing the documents under his supervision or facilitating their return to the PMML. He expressed willingness to bear the costs of digitization, ensuring the records’ preservation while making them accessible to scholars and historians worldwide.
The Teen Murti Bhawan, Nehru’s former residence turned into the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (now PMML), serves as a repository of India’s rich historical heritage. However, the removal of key materials has raised concerns about transparency in preserving public archives.
This debate also reflects broader questions regarding family custodianship of public historical records and the responsibility to maintain access for scholarly research. Kadri’s appeal marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about safeguarding India’s intellectual heritage while respecting familial legacies.
A response from Sonia Gandhi or Congress leadership could determine the next steps in addressing this sensitive issue, potentially setting a precedent for how historical archives are managed in the future.
Source: Web Team, C6N
