New Delhi: The Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) has formally requested the return of personal letters written by Indias first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to several notable figures, including Edwina Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, and Jayaprakash Narayan. These letters were reportedly sent to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in 2008 during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime.The BJP has claimed that 51 cartons of Nehrus letters were removed, with specific emphasis on the correspondence with Edwina Mountbatten. This situation raises questions about the contents of these letters and why they continue to be a topic of political discourse nearly 80 years later.Request for Nehrus LettersIn a letter dated December 10, Rizwan Kadri, a member of the PMML and historian based in Ahmedabad, reached out to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. He urged him to retrieve the original letters from Sonia Gandhi or provide photocopies or digital versions. This request follows an earlier appeal made to Sonia Gandhi in September, which went unanswered. Kadri noted that these letters are crucial for researchers and scholars and should be accessible at the PMML.Political ImplicationsThe BJP has seized upon this issue, questioning why Sonia Gandhi would take possession of such historically significant documents. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra expressed curiosity about the contents of Nehrus letters to Edwina Mountbatten, asking what could be so sensitive that it warranted their removal from public access. The BJPs inquiry reflects broader concerns about transparency and accountability within political families.Insights from the Mountbatten FamilyWhile the exact contents of Nehrus letters remain inaccessible, members of the Mountbatten family have provided some context. Pamela Hicks, Edwina Mountbattens daughter, described the profound relationship between her mother and Nehru in her book Daughter of Empire: Life as a Mountbatten. She emphasized that their bond was based on companionship and mutual respect rather than physical intimacy. Edwina even intended to leave an emerald ring for Nehru but ultimately gave it to his daughter, Indira Gandhi.Nehrus farewell speech for Edwina highlighted the affection he held for her: Wherever you have gone, you have brought solace... Is it surprising that the people of India should love you Such sentiments suggest a deep emotional connection that transcended mere friendship.The Ongoing ControversyThe controversy surrounding these letters stems from their potential historical significance. Kadri pointed out that Nehrus private papers were entrusted to the PMML by his daughter in 1971 for safekeeping rather than as a gift. He argued that making these letters publicly available would greatly benefit historical research. As discussions continue regarding the nature of Nehrus correspondence with Edwina Mountbatten and others, questions about privacy versus public interest remain at the forefront. While some advocate for transparency to understand Indias historical narrative better, others caution against infringing on personal privacy.The request for Nehrus letters has opened a Pandoras box of political intrigue and historical curiosity. As the PMML seeks access to these documents, it highlights ongoing tensions between preserving personal histories and ensuring public accountability in Indias political landscape.
