Addressing the audience, Sonia Gandhi stated, “There is no doubt that defaming Jawaharlal Nehru is the main objective of today’s government. They not only want to remove him from history but also weaken the social, political, and economic foundations on which the country stands.”
She added that while evaluating Nehru’s contributions is natural, “assessing his work by separating it from his historical context is becoming increasingly common.” Sonia Gandhi warned that organised attempts to portray Nehru as weak and distort his words are unacceptable. “This is not just an effort to diminish his personality but a crude attempt to rewrite history by eroding his multifaceted legacy,” she said.
Highlighting the broader political context, the Congress leader claimed that these efforts stem from forces associated with an ideology that did not contribute to India’s freedom movement and opposed the Constitution. “This ideology created an atmosphere of hatred a long time ago, culminating in Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. Even today, its adherents glorify Gandhi’s assassins,” she said.
Sonia Gandhi further emphasised the responsibility of present and future generations to safeguard Nehru’s legacy. “The path ahead is not easy, but we must face it individually and collectively. Our duty is not only towards Nehru and his companions but also towards ourselves and future generations,” she asserted.
The launch of the Nehru Centre India marks an effort to commemorate Nehru’s life and contributions, providing a platform to preserve and study his historical and political legacy. Gandhi’s statements underscore ongoing political debates over the interpretation of India’s post-independence history and Nehru’s role in shaping it.
