Prime Ministers’ Museum: Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma to lay foundation at Teen Murti Estate

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the plan to change the “nature and character” of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in the Estate.

Designed by Russell, the Teen Murti complex was originally called the Flagstaff House and formed the residence of the Commander-in-Chief.

The foundation will be laid on Monday for a museum of Prime Ministers on the Teen Murti Estate premises, despite objections from the Congress.

Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri will lay the foundation at the Teen Murti Estate, the official residence of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The Culture Ministry sent out an invitation to the media on Friday evening.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote to his successor Narendra Modi on August 24, expressing concern over the plan to change the “nature and character” of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) in the Teen Murti Estate. He said the present museum respected both history and heritage and urged Mr. Modi to leave the Teen Murti Estate “undisturbed.” “I recall that during the six-year tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji as Prime Minister, there was no attempt to change the nature and character of the NMML and the Teen Murti Complex in any way. But sadly it seems to be part of the agenda of the Government of India now,” he said.

Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh, both members of the NMML Society, and historians opposed the plan. Some called on Home Minister Rajnath Singh on August 26, urging him not to dilute the legacy of Nehru.

The new museum will include the memorabilia of the Prime Ministers, and is expected to cost ₹270 crore.