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Amid Nehru-Babri Row, Jairam Ramesh Reveals Maniben Patel's Diary to Rajnath Singh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh handed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pages from a historical diary in Parliament. This move was a direct response to Singh's recent comments about Jawaharlal Nehru and the Babri Masjid. The Congress party is demanding an apology, claiming Singh spread falsehoods. The BJP, however, insists its claims are backed by the same source material.

Key Points: Jairam Ramesh Gives Maniben Patel Book Pages to Rajnath Singh

  • Congress MP Jairam Ramesh presented Gujarati diary pages to counter Rajnath Singh's claims
  • The exchange follows Singh's statement that Nehru wanted public funds for Babri Masjid
  • The Congress demands an apology, accusing Singh of distorting historical facts
  • BJP cites the same Maniben Patel book to defend its position on Nehru's views
2 min read

Jairam Ramesh shares Maniben Patel's book pages with Rajnath Singh amid Nehru-Babri row

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh hands Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pages from Maniben Patel's diary amid a political row over Nehru and Babri Masjid funding claims.

"Sir, I have brought you a Gujarati translation of Maniben Patel's diary, especially for you. Please do read it. - Jairam Ramesh"

New Delhi, Dec 11

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday handed over a set of pages from the book 'Inside Story of Sardar Patel: The Diary of Maniben Patel' to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as he arrived in Parliament for the day's proceedings.

Ramesh presented the Gujarati translation of the transcripts, remarking, "Sir, I have brought you a Gujarati translation of Maniben Patel's diary, especially for you. Please do read it."

Singh, responding with a light smile, said, "I don't know Gujarati", while taking the pages with him.

The exchange comes just days after the Congress party, on December 6, released excerpts from the book by Vallabhbhai Patel's daughter, Maniben Patel, to counter Singh's statement that Jawaharlal Nehru had wanted to build the Babri Masjid with public funds. The party has demanded that the Defence Minister apologise for what it calls "falsehoods".

Jairam Ramesh, sharing screenshots of the original Gujarati pages on X, accused Singh of distorting historical facts.

He added that there was a "huge difference" between the diary entry and what "fellow distorians" were claiming.

Singh had recently stated at a gathering in Sadhli village in Gujarat's Vadodara district that Nehru intended to construct the Babri Masjid using public money, but was prevented from doing so by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The BJP, backing Singh's remarks, cited the same book authored by Maniben Patel to argue that Nehru also felt "repelled" by some temples in South India despite their structural beauty.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, addressing the media at the party headquarters, had said the source of Singh's comments was indeed 'Inside Story of Sardar Patel: Diary of Maniben Patel'.

He claimed that Page 24 of the book notes that Nehru had raised the issue of the Babri mosque, but Patel made it clear that the government could not allocate funds for constructing a mosque.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The "I don't know Gujarati" response was actually quite clever and diplomatic by Rajnath Singh ji. It defused a potentially heated moment. Jairam Ramesh's theatrical presentation of the pages was clearly for the cameras.
V
Vikram M
Why are we still fighting over the words of leaders who are long gone? Sardar Patel was a great unifier, and today his legacy is being used to divide. Sad state of affairs. 🙏
R
Rohit P
If the BJP spokesperson says their source is the same book, then there must be different interpretations. Historians should sit together and give a clear, unbiased reading instead of this political circus.
S
Sarah B
As someone interested in Indian history, this back-and-forth is fascinating but also frustrating. Primary sources like diaries are crucial, but they need to be read in full context, not as political ammunition. The "fellow distorians" jab was unnecessary though.
N
Nikhil C
The whole exchange in Parliament sounds like a scene from a TV drama! 😄 On a serious note, if the diary is in Gujarati, get it officially translated and published for all to read. Let the people decide, not the politicians.

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