Politics1 min read

'Daro mat': BJP demands return Nehru's letters, including those to Edwina Mountbatten

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Bharatiya Janata Party has urged Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to hand over 51 cartons of Jawaharlal Nehru's historical papers. These records, which were originally donated in 1971, were reclaimed by Sonia Gandhi in May 2008 on the grounds that they contained private family notes. Although the Union Ministry of Culture confirmed in December 2025 that the materials are not missing, museum officials have persistently sought their return or permission to digitize them. Meanwhile, Congress leaders used Nehru's birth anniversary to publicly honor his democratic vision and national legacy.

Key points

  • The Prime Ministers' Museum and Library has continuously pushed to regain custody or obta…: The Prime Ministers' Museum and Library has continuously pushed to regain custody or obtain digitization rights for the archives.
  • The Union Ministry of Culture verified in December 2025 that the records are securely loc…: The Union Ministry of Culture verified in December 2025 that the records are securely located rather than missing.
  • Congress leadership continues to celebrate Nehru's progressive vision while facing sharp…: Congress leadership continues to celebrate Nehru's progressive vision while facing sharp political demands over his archival records.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

File photo: Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

BJP on Saturday urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his mother, Sonia Gandhi, to return 51 cartons of correspondence belonging to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library (PMML), alleging that the documents were taken away from the institution in 2008.BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan made the appeal on Nehru's birth anniversary, saying the letters formed part of India's documentary heritage and should be available to researchers and the public through the museum.In a post on X, Kesavan questioned why the documents had not been returned and invoked Rahul Gandhi's frequently used slogan, "Daro Mat" (Do not be afraid), asking him to ensure their return.

"At least on Nehru’s birth anniversary today, will Rahul Gandhi and the Congress first family have the courage to stop acting contrary to the national interest and return the 51 cartons containing Nehru’s correspondence which rightfully belong to the country?" Kesavan said.He added that the correspondence included letters exchanged between Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten, as well as communications with other prominent individuals. Kesavan…

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