Files on Gandhi among 1.5 lakh destroyed on Modi's order: CPM

NEW DELHI: CPM leader P Rajeeve on Wednesday claimed in Rajya Sabha that the home ministry had destroyed over 1.5 lakh crucial files on the instruction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering uproar and adjournment of the House proceedings.

Citing media reports, he alleged that instructions to destroy the files were given by the PM immediately after taking oath.

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, dismissed the charges, saying, "I deny it emphatically that the Prime Minister had given such instructions."

Raising the matter during the zero hour, Rajeeve said the destroyed files included some historical documents relating to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and Cabinet discussions held immediately thereafter.

"I would like to know why this decision was taken in a hurry," said Rajeeve with some opposition members soon joining the chorus.

"You cannot scrap history by destroying secret files," said JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav.

Alleging that such an attempt was intended at destroying records about the alleged involvement of some Hindutva elements in Gandhi's assassination, Rajeeve demanded a reply from the Prime Minister. He was supported by Congress and TMC members.

While the Chair ruled that the matter should be put to rest after the minister's statement, the members refused to relent and demanded a reply from the Prime Minister, forcing the House to adjourn briefly.

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