NEW DELHI: In a move that has sparked controversy and drawn sharp reactions, the Indian government has decided to rename the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. The decision, which reflects a significant departure from the institution's historical legacy, has garnered strong criticism from the Congress party.

The Central government has decided to rename the "Nehru Memorial Museum and Library" as the "Prime Ministers' Museum and Society". The special meeting was held over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who is the Vice-President of the Society.

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library was renamed whereby the Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Rajnath Singh "welcomed the proposal for change in name",  as per the statement "since in its new form the institution exhibits the contributions of all prime ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi and their responses to various challenges faced by them"

In his speech, Singh described prime ministers as an institution and compared their tenures to the many colours of a rainbow, emphasising that "all the colours of a rainbow have to be proportionately represented in order to make it beautiful. Thus, the resolution has given a new name, respect to all our previous prime ministers, and is democratic in content."

Jairam Ramesh, a senior legislator and spokesperson for the Congress, hit out  the Centre in a tweet and claimed that Nehru Memorial Museum and Library has been a treasure trove of books and records and a significant intellectual landmark around the world.

Jairam Ramesh stated in a tweet, "Pettiness & Vengeance, thy name is Modi. The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML) has served as a global intellectual landmark and treasure trove of books and records for more than 59 years. The Prime Ministers Museum & Society will be its new name. What won't Mr. Modi do to misrepresent, denigrate, and undermine the reputation and legacy of the person who created the Indian nation-state? The so-called Vishwaguru is a small, diminutive man who is tormented by his fears.

Manish Tewari, a senior member of the Congress, responded to the museum's renaming by saying that changing a building's name does not erase a legacy.

"I wish those who want to erase Jawahar Lal Nehru's contribution to the freedom struggle & the construction of Modern India would once read Discovery of India & Glimpses of World History to fathom the depth of Nehru," Tewari stated in a tweet after retweeting a news article. Building renamings don't erase legacies. 

On the grounds of Teen Murti, PM Modi had earlier in 2016 suggested building a museum honouring each of India's prime ministers. At its 162nd meeting on November 25, 2016, the Executive Council of the NMML authorised this proposal. The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya welcomed visitors on April 21 of last year.

The Nehru Museum building has been extensively updated with modern exhibits on the life and contributions of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The museum, which has seen a lot of foot traffic, is a seamless blend that starts there. The museum, which is housed in a brand-new structure, continues by describing how our Prime Ministers guided the country through a number of difficulties and made sure that overall development was being made.