Govt rejects suggestions of any move to dilute Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy

New Delhi, Dec 1: Government on Monday dismissed in Lok Sabha suggestions of any attempt to dilute the legacy of country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

"No madam," was the written response of Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma in the Lower House of Parliament to a question on "whether an attempt is being made to dilute the legacy" of Nehru.

The question on Nehru's legacy was part of a larger issue on revamping of museums and overhaul of institutions including the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library 'to reflect contributions of modern India' raised by Congress members Gaurav Gogoi, Jyotiraditya Scindia and M Ramachandran.

In his written reply, the minister said for "any institution to remain relevant has to have an inbuilt system of reinventing and reinvigorating itself, without changing the core values and basic structure of the institutions."

He said, wider information and ideas have to be incorporated. "However, the basic values and basic character of these institutes are not be changed/altered."

Sharma said in museums, 14 points listed for museum reforms are implemented to improve visitors facilities, guide facilities, opening of new galleries and conservation and restoration.

The prestigious Library had been in the news after Sharma accused the previous UPA regime of "illegally" appointing director of NMML violating an order of the Election Commission (EC) last year.

On criticism from Congress over revamping the NMML, he had said, India's first Prime Minister was a national leader and not a "family property".

PTI