‘Return Nehru’s letters’: PMML member writes to Rahul Gandhi over papers ‘taken’ by Sonia in 2008

First reported by The Indian Express, the PMML Society had discussed the status of the papers in Sonia Gandhi’s custody in its AGM in February, following which it was decided that a legal opinion would be sought. Even though the members had raised the issue of the missing Nehru papers several times earlier, according to sources, this was the first time in the 2024 AGM that the minutes clearly mentioned the then UPA chairperson taking away 51 cartons from the donated papers.

In his letter to Rahul Gandhi dated December 10, 2024, Kadri also mentioned the minutes of the said AGM. “PMML further informed that as per record, in March 2008 MV Rajan visited the PMML to segregate Private Papers and papers related to government from the Jawaharlal Nehru (SG) Papers,” he wrote, citing the AGM minutes.

“After this segregation was completed, all personal papers, as identified by Rajan and the PMML team working with him, were sent to Sonia Gandhi in 51 carton boxes on 05 May 2008 with the approval of the then Director, PMML. These included the letters relating to personalities, such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Padmaja Naidu, Edwina

Mountbatten, Albert Einstein, Aruna Asaf Ali, Vijaya Laxmi Pandit, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Govind Ballabh Pant,” said the letter, reviewed by The Indian Express.

“As the Leader of the Opposition, I urge you to take cognisance of this issue and advocate for the preservation of India’s historical heritage,” Kadri wrote. An email questionnaire sent to Rahul Gandhi’s office by The Indian Express didn’t elicit any response.

Earlier, in a letter to Sonia Gandhi, dated September 9, Kadri — among the 29 members of the PMML Society headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — had said that it is “crucial that these records remain accessible to ensure comprehensive understanding of our nation’s history”. He had requested Sonia Gandhi to either return the papers, provide copies, or offer digitised access. There was no mention of the specific details of the AGM or of what the said correspondence lodged in 51 cartons was about.

The development comes just days after the present PMML Society was given an extension of two months. The term of the Society was supposed to expire on November 4. Through an order on the day, the Ministry of Culture extended the term till January 13, 2025, to coincide with the tenure of the PMML Executive Council.

Seeking Rahul Ganghi’s “collaboration on preserving India’s historical documents at the PMML”, Kadri’s letter said, “The ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund’ generously transferred private papers of Jawaharlal Nehru to the PMML in 1971. These documents provide invaluable insights into a critical period of Indian history. In 2008, a collection of these papers were withdrawn from the PMML, on the request of the then chairperson of the ‘United Progressive Alliance’ (UPA) and present ‘Congress Parliamentary Party’ (chairperson) Smt Sonia Gandhiji.”

“We would be grateful for your collaboration in exploring possible solutions,” it said, suggesting that this could include “discussing the potential return of the withdrawn documents to the PMML for proper preservation and access”, or “facilitating the creation of high-quality digital copies or scans of the documents, which would allow researchers to access them”.