Mumbai (Maharashtra): Sanjay Raut, a Member of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), launched a strong criticism against the central government on Saturday, expressing his disapproval of renaming the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society. He accused the BJP-led government of attempting to “destroy history.”
Addressing the media, Sanjay Raut stated, “I agree that the contributions of other Prime Ministers should be showcased. A section can be dedicated to displaying the contributions of other Prime Ministers, but there is no need to change the name of the museum.”
Sanjay Raut further accused the central government of tampering with the country’s history, stating, “Pandit Nehru’s name could have been retained in the Prime Minister Museum. Pandit Nehru was our first Prime Minister, and he made a significant contribution. They are simply trying to erase history.”
Congress leader Gourav Vallabh, speaking to ANI, commented, “By removing Jawaharlal Nehru’s name from the board, they think they can diminish his legacy. The people of this country regard Nehru ji as the architect of modern India.”
Vallabh also reminded Prime Minister Modi of a statement made by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, “chhote mann se koi bada nahi ban payega” (a small-minded person cannot achieve greatness). He criticized the Prime Minister for displaying a narrow mindset and suggested that while Nehru’s name may be removed from the board, it cannot be erased from the hearts of the people.
The Culture Ministry announced on Friday that the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society would be renamed as the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society. This decision was made during a special meeting of the Memorial Museum and Library Society chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Vice-President of the Society.
The project was initially approved by the Executive Council of NMML in November 2016. The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (Prime Ministers’ Museum) was opened to the public on April 21 of the following year. It is worth noting that none of the members of the Nehru-Gandhi family, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, attended the inauguration despite receiving an invitation from the government. These three individuals have served as Prime Ministers of the country.
According to a statement released by the Culture Ministry, the Museum is a comprehensive representation that begins at the renovated Nehru Museum building, now updated with technologically advanced displays on the life and contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru. The museum continues in a new building, narrating the story of how various Prime Ministers guided the nation through challenges and ensured overall progress. It acknowledges the contributions of all Prime Ministers, thus democratizing institutional memory.
JP Nadda, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), criticized the Congress on Friday for its remarks regarding the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. He stated that the Congress party’s inability to acknowledge leaders beyond “one dynasty” exemplifies “political indigestion.”