Report of Swapan Dasgupta as Nehru Memorial Head Sparks Debate

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi. (Photo Courtesy: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library)

Indian journalist Swapan Dasgupta is likely to be appointed Director of the Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML) in New Delhi, according to a report in The Indian Express report.

At present, Dasgupta is a member of the NMML Society presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

When The Indian Express reached out to him for a comment on his appointment, Dasgupta is reported to have said “I don’t know”.

Journalist Swapan Dasgupta. (Photo: Swapan Dasgupta’s Facebook page)

Official sources have said that if Dasgupta is appointed director, he will enjoy the status of a Minister of State.

<p>The government is in the process of upgrading the status of the Director of NMML as part of its effort to make relevant the life and works of Jawaharlal Nehru. </p>

<b>An official to <i><a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/swapan-dasgupta-likely-to-head-nehru-memorial/">The Indian Express </a></i></b>

However, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has declined to confirm or deny the appointment.

Mahesh Rangarajan who was appointed NMML Director by the previous government stepped down in September 2015, after Sharma had said his appointment was “unethical and illegal”.

Even though an official confirmation is awaited, Dasgupta’s reported appointment as NMML Director has sparked some debate.