The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : On Nehru

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Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

On Nehru

I fail to understand the rationale behind the publication of the article “Jawaharlal Nehru and the Mountbattens” (Nov. 14). It did not provide any conclusive proof to a rumour that has been doing the rounds for years. Nor did it make any startling revelation. Natwar Singh ends the article by quoting Vijayalakshmi Pandit who is not alive. So it is only his word that we have to take.

S. Sudhir Kumar,

Hyderabad

It is clear that the most popular leader of pre-Independent and post-Independent India had feet of clay. His otherwise unblemished and clean record of public service has been tarnished by allegations of his intimacy with the Mountbattens.

B. Premananda Bhat,

Manipal

The article did not deserve the hospitality of The Hindu’s columns. The author’s claim that Mountbatten influenced Nehru to take Kashmir to the United Nations is an insult to all those who were involved in taking the difficult decision. India had limited options in the matter at that point of time.

Baikadi Suryanarayana Rao,

Bangalore

I was disappointed on seeing the article, which peddled the same old story about the relationship between Edwina Mountbatten and Nehru. Books have been written on the subject. The article makes an attempt to tar Nehru on the basis of a letter he wrote asking the King of England to show his appreciation for the Mountbattens’ service to the Indian cause. The letter may expose his poor judgment but it has little historical significance. Nor does it reflect poorly on any decision Nehru took on issues concerning the Indian state.

Rahul Basu,

Chennai

I feel the article was unnecessary. What is Natwar Singh trying to establish? There were so many good things about Nehru, which could have been written on his birthday. Mr. Singh tries to prove his point on the basis of a conversation he had with Vijayalakshmi Pandit who is not alive today.

Paul James,

Chennai

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