Congress blames Centre of tampering with history of freedom struggle, BJP counters

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday blamed the BJP-led government of “tampering” with the legacy and history of the freedom movement by introducing “other leaders” who had no role in it.

The government countered the charges levelled by Congress leader Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha, saying it was not only the Nehru and Gandhi families who had fought for India’s freedom, but there were scores of other leaders as well.

“We will show the history which you have hidden. We will also take forward what you have shown,” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said countering Sharma’s allegations.

He said the government will tell the world about the role of the forgotten freedom fighters and there was no intention to insult any of the great leaders of the country.

Earlier, Sharma had raised the issue of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) here, saying the sole objective behind setting up the NMML was to promote the study of modern Indian history and the life and history of India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had spent 14 years in British prisons during freedom struggle.

“It would be a gross injustice to the legacy of freedom fighters of freedom movement to introduce unwanted elements in the discourse of the NMML.

“What is happening in the NMML is bringing in other leaders who were not part of the India’s freedom movement.  We know the present government’s antipathy towards the values and principles for which Nehru and Gandhi stood for,” he said.

Sharma also said the present government has every right to establish museum of its leaders, including Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, but “they cannot tamper with history and legacy of Indian freedom movement”.

Earlier in the day, Naresh Agarwal said the social media and the media were presenting wrong facts about the salaries and perks of Members of Parliament and tarnishing their image.

Kurien, in a lighter vein, suggested to the SP leader to enter the social media to reply back.

Naqvi said there was no control over anti-social activities on social media.

D Raja (CPI) said the fate of ordinance factories and thousands of their employees were at stake following the government’s decision to allow 100 per cent private participation in defence manufacturing.

JD(U) member Harivansh expressed concern over breach of security corden of President Pranab Mukherjee during his recent visit to Jharkhand. He said two bikers had managed to sneak in to the cavalcade of the President.

Nadimul Haque (TMC) expressed concern over the falling interest rate on PPF as well as post office savings schemes.  He said it was creating problems for senior citizens.