‘Return 51 cartons’: Congress, BJP spar over Jawaharlal Nehru’s letters

On Jawaharlal Nehru's 137th birth anniversary, Congress and BJP engaged in a dispute over the possession of Nehru's letters, commemorating the digitized repository known as the Nehru Archive. The digital collection, comprising 100 volumes of selected works spanning 1903-1964, has garnered significant attention with over 1 million unique visitors and 4 million page views since its January 2025 launch.

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh highlighted the Archive's popularity, emphasizing its role in providing authentic primary sources for understanding 20th-century India. However, BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan, accusing Sonia Gandhi of "abruptly" acquiring the letters in May 2008, demanded the return of 51 cartons containing Nehru's letters.

Kesavan suggested that Congress's reluctance to comply might indicate hidden motives, alleging the family fears exposure. The Indian Express first reported on December 15, 2025, that Sonia had assured the Prime Ministers' Museum & Library of her cooperation, though sources claimed she had asked her staff to review the matter. Ramesh's post on social media underscored the collection's extensive scope, noting its 77,000 pages, 34,000+ texts, and 3000+ images, accessible free and in multiple languages, catering to a broad audience including students, scholars, and journalists.