Historian Rizwan Kadri Requests Return of Nehru's Papers

Rizwan Kadri, a historian, author, and member of the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library (PMML) Society, has raised concerns regarding the withdrawal of personal papers of Jawaharlal Nehru from the institution. Kadri, in a letter addressed to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, has formally requested that she either return these documents, provide copies of them, or allow digitized access for historians and researchers.

The Missing 51 Boxes

According to Kadri’s statement to ANI, 51 boxes containing the private papers of Jawaharlal Nehru were withdrawn from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) in 2008 by Sonia Gandhi’s office. These boxes reportedly contained personal letters and significant documents, including those exchanged between Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten, as well as records from prominent figures like Jayaprakash Narayan and Babu Jagjivan Ram.

Concerns Over Historical Transparency

Kadri raised important concerns regarding the withdrawal of these papers, questioning whether there was something objectionable in the documents that could explain the decision to remove them from the public domain. He emphasized the point that once these documents were donated to the institution, they should not be withdrawn, as this could limit access to crucial historical records. His inquiry focuses specifically on the letters between Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten, which were part of the withdrawn collection. Kadri has asked for clarity on the motives behind the removal of such a significant portion of India’s political history.

Ensuring Comprehensive Understanding of History

Kadri also expressed that historians, including himself, are keen to study the documents in order to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s history. He stressed that the historical records must remain accessible to all, as they are crucial to understanding the broader narrative of India’s freedom struggle and the relationships that shaped post-independence India.

In his letter, Kadri requested that the papers either be returned to PMML or made available in digitized form for research purposes. He acknowledged the possibility that the withdrawal of the papers could have been done in good faith, possibly to protect the documents, but noted the importance of making these invaluable records available for academic scrutiny.

Conclusion

This request from Rizwan Kadri has brought the spotlight back to the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) and raised questions about the handling of historical archives in India. The withdrawal of these papers has sparked a broader conversation about access to national heritage and transparency in preserving the country's political history. The outcome of Kadri’s appeal may set a precedent for how historical records are managed, particularly those relating to prominent figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, whose legacy continues to shape modern India.

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