Congress Accuses PM Modi of Undermining Nehru’s Legacy
In a recent development, the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library has been officially renamed the Association of Prime Ministers and Museums and Libraries. The move has sparked controversy, with the Congress party accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of pursuing an agenda to “deny,” “distort,” “defame,” and “destroy” Jawaharlal Nehru’s legacy. The Congress claims that despite this alleged effort to undermine Nehru’s contributions, his legacy remains strong and will continue to inspire future generations.
Congress General Secretary’s Critique
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary, expressed his discontent with the name change. He highlighted that the iconic institution, previously known as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML), has been rebranded as the Prime Ministers Memorial Museum and Library of PMML. Ramesh accused Prime Minister Modi of harboring fears, insecurities, and complexes, particularly in relation to Nehru, India’s first and longest-serving Prime Minister. He claimed that Modi’s intention is to discredit and distort Nehru’s legacy. Ramesh also criticized Modi’s decision to replace the “N” in Nehru’s name with a “P,” suggesting that this change symbolizes pettiness and bullying.
Despite these attempts, Ramesh emphasized that Nehru’s significant contributions to India’s freedom movement and his role in establishing the democratic, secular, scientific, and liberal foundation of the nation will not be erased. Ramesh further pointed out that these foundational principles are currently facing challenges under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
Congress MP’s Opposition
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also voiced his dissent over the name change. He labeled the decision as a reflection of “Nehruji hatred,” attributing it to ideologies associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Narendra Modi. Tagore highlighted the historical significance of the institution by mentioning that it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and the unveiling ceremony was conducted by Vice President Radhakrishnan. In contrast, Tagore criticized Modi’s decision to rename the institution.
Official Announcement and Social Media Post
A senior official confirmed that the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library has officially been renamed the Prime Minister Museum and Library Society. This change came into effect on August 14. The Vice President of the institution shared this news on social media platform X. The official stated that the renaming aligns with the process of democratizing the society and diversifying powers. The post also included an image of the Teen Murti House, a historical location associated with Nehru.
Background and Decision
In mid-June, the NMML club held an extraordinary meeting where the decision to change the name to the PMML club was made. This decision has generated debate and controversy, with political leaders and stakeholders expressing differing opinions on the matter. The renaming of the institution has become a point of contention, symbolizing the ongoing ideological and political disagreements in Indian society.
Ratnavali