A heated exchange has erupted between the BJP and the Opposition Congress over the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML). The Congress claims that the renaming of this iconic institution aims to distort the legacy of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. In response, the BJP has hit back, alleging dynastic politics.
The NMML, located on Teen Murti Marg in central Delhi, has officially been renamed as the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society. This decision was made in June.
The Congress asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s primary agenda has been to tarnish and defame the Nehruvian legacy. In a statement on social media, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh remarked, “Today marks the renaming of an iconic institution. The globally acclaimed Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) is now PMML — Prime Ministers’ Memorial Museum and Library.”
Ramesh emphasised that Modi’s agenda has revolved around denying, distorting, defaming, and dismantling Nehru and his legacy. “He has replaced ‘N’ with ‘P,’ where ‘P’ symbolizes pettiness and peeve,” Ramesh articulated.
However, Nehru’s immense contributions to the freedom movement and his pivotal role in shaping the democratic, secular, scientific, and liberal foundations of India remain impervious to such attempts, even amidst the “relentless assault” by Modi and his supporters, Ramesh conveyed.
On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla retaliated through a video message, that for Congress, “P” represents Parivar (family) rather than the people.
Poonawalla pointed out the contradiction in Congress’s stance, highlighting that the renaming aims to honor the achievements of all Prime Ministers, from the first to the current, including Lal Bahadur Shastri, PV Narasimha Rao, HD Devegowda, and Inder Kumar Gujral. He questioned the Congress’s objection to this comprehensive approach, insinuating that it underscores their priority of family over the greater populace.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also expressed his dismay at the renaming, believing that while the concept of expanding the museum’s scope to encompass all Prime Ministers is commendable, the decision to remove Nehru’s name demonstrates pettiness. He suggested that maintaining the name “Nehru Memorial Prime Ministers Museum and Library” would have been a more appropriate and inclusive choice.
Tharoor criticised the Government’s move, implying that it reflects a lack of magnanimity that should be expected from a ruling party with a substantial majority.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the Government’s actions betray both political and ideological contradictions. She accused the government of defaming the Mahatma while making symbolic gestures towards him, indicating a conflicted stance.
She further said the name change seeks to undermine Nehru’s legacy, revealing the government’s insecurities and lack of substantial accomplishments. She contended that history cannot be altered, only created, and Nehru’s contributions to India’s development are undeniable.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore echoed the sentiment, criticising the Government’s decision and asserting that the dislike for Nehru is well-embedded within certain political groups.
