The Centre has pushed back against claims that documents linked to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, have gone missing from the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library (PMML). Responding to political criticism, the government said the papers were formally taken back by the Nehru family in 2008 and that their whereabouts are known. The clarification has triggered a sharp exchange between the BJP and the Congress, with fresh questions over public access to historical records.
What Is the Nehru Papers Controversy?
The issue surfaced after a question was raised in the Lok Sabha about whether the PMML’s latest audit had found any Nehru-related papers missing. The query sparked political reactions, with the Congress demanding an apology from the Centre and the BJP.
The government rejected the allegation outright. It said no documents were found missing during the inspection. Instead, the dispute relates to private family correspondence that was handed over to Sonia Gandhi more than 15 years ago.
What the Centre Said About the Documents
In a series of posts on X, the Ministry of Culture explained that a request was made in April 2008 to take back personal letters and notes belonging to Jawaharlal Nehru. The request came through a letter written by MV Rajan, who represented Sonia Gandhi at the time.
Following this request, the government said, “51 cartons of Nehru’s private papers were handed over to Sonia Gandhi in 2008.”
Officials stressed that these papers were not lost or stolen. Their location is known, and the PMML has remained in contact with Sonia Gandhi’s office over their return.
Why the Issue Has Returned Now
The government said the PMML has written multiple times in recent months to seek the return of the documents. Letters were reportedly sent in January and July 2025.
“As such, Nehru Papers are not ‘missing’ from PMML as their whereabouts are known,” the Ministry of Culture stated.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the issue was not about ownership but about public access to India’s historical record.
Centre Questions Delay in Returning Papers
The minister raised sharp questions on why the papers continue to remain outside the national archive.
“I respectfully ask Sonia Gandhi ji to explain to the country: What is being withheld? What is being hidden? The excuses given by Smt Sonia Gandhi for not returning these papers are not tenable. The point is that why are important historical documents still outside the public archive? These are not private family papers,” Shekhawat wrote.
The government argued that documents linked to a former Prime Minister are part of India’s documentary heritage and should remain accessible to researchers, students, and citizens.
Congress vs BJP: Political Reactions
The Congress accused the government of misleading Parliament and demanded an apology after officials said no Nehru papers were missing. The Centre countered by stating that Parliament was informed accurately and that the documents were never classified as “missing.”
Shekhawat reiterated the government’s position in Parliament, saying, “In reality, 51 cartons of Jawaharlal Nehru papers were formally taken back by the family in 2008 from Prime Ministers Museum and Library (then NMML). Their location is known. Hence, they are ‘not missing’.”
Why Nehru Papers Matter
Historians say Nehru’s correspondence offers crucial insight into India’s early years after Independence. These documents cover diplomacy, governance, and nation-building during a defining period.
The Centre said limiting access to such records weakens historical research and public understanding. It called for clarity and cooperation to ensure these papers return to the PMML.
What Happens Next
The government has signalled it will continue to pursue the return of the documents. The political debate is likely to continue, especially as questions grow over transparency, archival access, and the line between private ownership and public heritage.
For now, the Centre maintains that no Nehru papers are missing. The disagreement lies over where they should be kept—and who should have access to them.
