The Narendra Modi government on Friday began a year-long celebration of Jana Sangha ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birth centenary from Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML), which has been at the centre of controversy over the Culture Ministry’s plan to make it “more contemporary”.
“In India, there are some people who want to restrict any debate around a few individuals. Our belief is that no matter how many ideologies there are, there can be differences of opinion regarding them, but there should be debate on all ideologies,” Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, addressing the function.
If there could be a debate on (communist leader) Manabendra Nath Roy’s “radical humanism”, why can’t there be a discussion on Deendayal ji’s idea of “integral humanism?” he wondered. “If you can teach radical humanism in the text books, why integral humanism cannot be also discussed?”
The events to be organised during the year to mark the Jana Sangh leader’s birth centenary will give a “big opportunity” to the government to present his “personality and views” before the nation, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
When asked why the NMML was chosen for the launch of centenary celebration of Jana Sangh leader, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told reporters that the mandate of the institution was not only limited to spreading the message of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru but to highlight contributions of other great leaders too.
“I think it is fortunate if, as per the objectives behind this institution, apart from Nehruji, others who contributed to the freedom struggle or making of modern India also find place here,” he told reporters.
Published 25 September 2015, 20:41 IST