Priyanka Gandhi Defends Nehru's Legacy: Compares His Imprisonment During Freedom Struggle to Modi's Time as Prime Minister

Priyanka Gandhi stated that Jawaharlal Nehru dedicated his life and death to India

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pointed out in Parliament today that Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, spent approximately the same amount of time in prison during the freedom struggle as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has served in office. Speaking during a discussion commemorating the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, she criticized the Prime Minister and BJP for their frequent attacks on Nehru.

"Prime Minister Modi has been in office for 12 years. Jawaharlal Nehru spent nearly equivalent time imprisoned for our country's independence. He subsequently served as Prime Minister for 17 years. You frequently criticize him, but without his founding of ISRO, Mangalyaan wouldn't exist. Without his establishment of DRDO, there would be no Tejas aircraft. Without his creation of IITs and IIMs, India wouldn't lead in information technology. Without his founding of AIIMS, how could we have confronted challenges like the coronavirus pandemic?" she questioned. "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru lived for the country and died serving the country," the Wayanad MP emphasized.

During the independence movement, Nehru was imprisoned nine times, spending over 3,200 days—nearly nine years—in jail.

Priyanka Gandhi suggested that the Prime Minister compile a comprehensive list of criticisms against Jawaharlal Nehru. "Whether it contains 999 or 9,999 items, create this list, and then we can schedule a time, similar to our 10-hour debate on Vande Mataram. We're prepared to discuss this for as long as necessary. However, let's utilize Parliament's valuable time for the purposes our citizens elected us to fulfill. Let's conclusively close this chapter," she stated, receiving enthusiastic support from Opposition members.

"The nation will hear complaints about Indira Gandhi's actions, Rajiv Gandhi's decisions, dynasty politics, and Nehru's supposed mistakes. Let's address these topics and then move forward. Subsequently, we can discuss unemployment and inflation," Priyanka Gandhi added.

Earlier, the senior Congress leader accused the government of organizing the Vande Mataram discussion strategically with the upcoming Bengal Assembly election in mind. "This debate has been orchestrated to divert attention because this government wants to conceal present-day realities," she asserted.