Jawaharlal Nehru 1889-1940
Jawaharlal Nehru 1889-1940: Shri Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad to Motilal Nehru and Swaruparani Thissu. He is fondly referred to as Chacha Nehru by Indians, and his birthday is commemorated as Children’s Day in India. He is chiefly acknowledged as the Architect of the Indian Republic. Nehru is also known as Pandit, a title derived from his ancestors who belonged to the Pandit (Priestly) community of Kashmir. I contend that he deserves to be called Jawaharlal Nehru the Great.
(Please read other parts of this article at pages: Jawaharlal Nehru 1940-1950, Jawaharlal Nehru 1950-64.)
He was both an author and a speaker. He authored notable works, including ‘Glimpses of World History’ in 1934, ‘Towards Freedom’ (his autobiography) in 1936, and ‘The Discovery of India’ in 1946. By 1929, he had already delineated the fundamental theme of the Indian Constitution, specifying the Fundamental Rights of citizens and the Democratic and Republican framework of Government.
Architect of Indian Republic
At that time, only Nehru and Bose recognized India as a unified Nation, unlike other leaders. During that period, India consisted of various Presidencies under British governance and numerous Kingdoms ruled by former Rajas and Nawabs. Generally, people were regarded as Subjects of their respective Princely States and Presidencies. Following India’s transition to a Republic under Nehru’s leadership, we now identify as Citizens of India rather than subjects of different Kingdoms. Presently, Indian citizens have the privilege to elect their leaders instead of being governed by royal monarchs. Nehruji’s significant contribution to India lies in his advocacy for granting voting rights to every citizen through the adult franchise system.
Nehru’s life story cannot be viewed in isolation from the Indian freedom struggle. The events of the freedom movement and Nehru’s experiences are deeply intertwined. Thus, we should outline the situation in India at the time Nehru entered the political arena and the events that followed. Additionally, it is crucial to acknowledge that before Shri Nehru and Shri Gandhi came onto the scene, many people were already engaged in the fight for independence.
Armed Resistances against the British
The quest for freedom commenced with the arrival of the British in India, manifesting sporadically and at times in a structured manner, yet it remained limited to specific areas of the country.
Numerous individuals, including Shri Balagangadhar Tilak, Rash Behari Bose, Vinayak Damodar Sawarkar, and Arabindo Ghosh, voiced their dissent. Their expressions of resistance emerged both from Indian territory and abroad. Some resorted to armed conflict and violence. Among the prominent freedom fighters was Tilak, who faced imprisonment for 18 months in 1897 and for 6 years in 1908 due to accusations of inciting rebellion against the British through his publications, Kesari and Marathi.
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Following the establishment of direct British control over India in 1857, a notable uprising occurred in 1909. Several British individuals lost their lives, and V D Sawarkar was accused of involvement in these offenses, resulting in two consecutive 50-year prison sentences. The second significant event was the Gaddar uprising, which took place from 1912 to 1917 during World War I. This uprising sought to provoke defections within the British Indian Army to expel the British from power. The final and third armed uprising was led by Subhas Chandra Bose from 1940 to 1944. His military force was known as the Azad Hind Fauz, or Indian National Army. This INA was originally founded by Rash Behari Bose while operating from Japan, who later transferred leadership to Subhas Chandra Bose in 1941.
Despite all these endeavors, they have not yielded success for two primary reasons. These revolutionary freedom fighters depended on foreign countries for arms, financial resources, and logistical assistance. When these external forces were either defeated by the British or chose to ally with them, the uprisings rapidly waned, jeopardizing the liberation movement and the lives of those striving for freedom. For example, France handed over Sawarkar to the British authorities. The INA also faced defeat and was disbanded following Japan’s loss in World War II.
Gandhi made freedom struggle a mass movement
Furthermore, an important characteristic of these uprisings is that they were confined to particular regions of India. For example, Tilak’s fight for independence was restricted to the Maratha area, whereas Arabindo Ghosh’s initiatives were concentrated in Bengal. The Gaddar movement extended from Punjab to Bengal. It was Mahatma Gandhi who succeeded in expanding the reach of the freedom struggle against British rule to include the entirety of India.
Gandhi experienced the military might and cruelty of the British while in South Africa. He lived in South Africa for 21 years, during which he developed a powerful method of nonviolent resistance known as Satyagraha, or the non-cooperation movement, to challenge British rule. In 1915, Gandhi returned to India, where he applied the principles of Satyagraha to continue his fight for freedom. Nehru and numerous other freedom fighters, along with large masses of people, rallied behind Gandhi and ultimately succeeded in driving the British out of India by 1950. However, it is important to remember that approximately 300,000 Indians lost their lives in the struggle against British oppression during this period.
Lineage of Nehrus
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 to Motilal Nehru and Swaruprani Thussu, making him 20 years younger than Gandhi. Jawahar’s father, Motilal Nehru, was born on 6 May 1861, as the son of Gangadhar Nehru and Indrani. Gangadhar Nehru held the position of kotwal in Delhi. The Sepoy Rebellion occurred in 1857, during which the sepoys declared Bahadurshah as the Emperor of India. In response, Britain unleashed widespread destruction upon the Mughals and their people, resulting in the extermination of the entire Mughal lineage, including infants. The Nehrus, who served the Mughals, faced immense suffering. Their family home in Delhi was looted and set ablaze. Consequently, Gangadhar left Delhi with his family and moved to Agra, where they sought refuge with relatives.
At this time, Motilal’s two older siblings, Bansidhar Nehru and Nandlal Nehru, were aged nineteen and sixteen, respectively. Nandlal secured a position as a clerk in the court of a Raja in Khetri, thereby beginning to support his mother and brother.
As a result, Motilal spent his formative years in Khetri, Rajasthan. His elder brother, Nandlal, gained the favor of Raja Fateh Singh of Khetri and rose to the position of Diwan. Later, Nandlal moved from Khetri to Agra to pursue legal studies. He eventually began practicing law at the High Court in Agra. Subsequently, when the High Court was moved to Allahabad, the Nehru family, including Motilal, relocated to Allahabad.
This event signified the commencement of the Nehru family’s association with Allahabad. Nandlal played a crucial role in helping Motilal secure a modern education in both Agra and Allahabad. Motilal finished his matriculation in Kanpur and later joined Muir Central College in Allahabad. In 1883, Motilal earned the designation of ‘Bar at Law’ from the University of Cambridge and was subsequently registered as a lawyer in Indian courts.
It is essential to emphasize that Motilal refused to undertake penance (Prayashchitta) for the transgression of traveling abroad in defiance of the directives of Orthodox Brahmins. Similarly, Jawaharlal did not undergo prayaschittta. This may be a significant factor leading critics to label the Nehrus as non-Hindus or Muslims. (In contrast, Gandhi adhered to the necessary rituals for his offense of traveling abroad by sea.) Additionally, it is noteworthy that Savarkar also questioned the existence of God at various points in time.
Motilal served as a lawyer in Kanpur. After three years, he moved to Allahabad to join the lucrative practice established by his brother Nandlal. The following year, in April 1887, his brother died at the age of forty-two, leaving behind five sons and two daughters. At the age of 25, Motilal assumed the role of the primary breadwinner for the large Nehru family.
Anand Bhavan
In 1900, he acquired a large residence in Allahabad, renovated it, and named it Anand Bhavan, reflecting the success of his profession. It was in this location that Jawaharlal was born.
Instead of attending school, Jawahar remained at home, receiving instruction mainly from Ferdinand Brooks and Annie Besant. With the assistance of Indian teachers, Jawaharlal learned Hindi and Sanskrit. In 1905, he was sent to England for his formal education at Horrow. Subsequently, Nehru enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge in October 1907, where he obtained an Honours degree in natural science in 1910.
Afterward, Nehru moved to London to study law at Inner Temple Inn. He held a degree in Science and was also a qualified Lawyer, having acquired knowledge of Hindu scriptures. In March 1916, Nehru married Kamala Kaul.
In 1916, during the annual session of the Indian National Congress in Lucknow, Nehru met Gandhi for the first time. At that moment, they were not acquainted, except for the fact that Motilal and Gandhi were familiar with each other.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that it was peculiar and somewhat naïve for Indians to contemplate the expulsion of the British from India during that period. Gopal Krishna Gokhale stated that it was “madness to think of independence.” Gokhale advocated for constitutional activism, a sentiment echoed by Motilal Nehru. Motilal acknowledged the limitations of constitutional protests but advised his son that there was no other “feasible alternative” apart from it.
Prior to the meeting between father and son with Mahatma Gandhi, neither had a definitive strategy for attaining freedom. Jawaharlal was inspired by Gandhi’s dedication to resisting British rule in India with both bravery and a spirit devoid of animosity.
Motilal Nehru
When Nehru revealed his intention to participate in the freedom movement, Motilal ridiculed him and warned him about the potential for imprisonment. Subsequently, Nehru began to practice lying on the floor at home. To support his son in pursuing a financially rewarding career, Motilal provided Jawahar with ample funds for his needs. Nehru was determined to remove the British and free both Indians and India from subjugation. This attitude reflects Nehru’s conviction and commitment to dedicate his life to the liberation of his country.
Undoubtedly, he, similar to many other Indians who journeyed to England, embraced the principles of Nationalism and envisioned the removal of the British from India. Nevertheless, Nehru applied his ideals in a methodical manner to secure independence. It is crucial to note that during that era, there was a widespread belief that India would not attain freedom in the near future. Approximately 300,000 people lost their lives in the fight against the British from 1857 to 1947. Both Bose and Nehru focused exclusively on the quest for complete independence. Even Gandhi ji was not in favor of Total Freedom, as he believed it was unattainable.
Non-Cooperation movement 1920-21
Nehru participated in the Non-Cooperation movement of 1920, which was initiated by Gandhi. Gandhi led the campaign in the United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh). In 1921, Nehru was arrested for engaging in anti-government activities and was released a few months later. As a result, Nehru experienced his first imprisonment in 1921. Over the next 24 years, he was incarcerated for more than nine years on eight different occasions. His last term of imprisonment extended for nearly three years, with his final release occurring in 1945.
In 1923, he served as the general secretary of the Indian National Congress for a period of two years, and again in 1927 for another two years.
Nehru and Bose both opposed Gandhi’s decision to conclude the Second Non-Cooperation movement after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922. However, Nehru remained loyal to Gandhi. For example, Jawahar Lal chose not to join the Swaraj Party, which was formed in 1923, where his father, Motilal Nehru, held the position of General Secretary.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Swaraj
Let us know that the circumstances that led to the sentencing and incarceration of Tilak. In 1897, the Chapekar Brothers assassinated two British individuals, Rand and Ayerst. It was alleged that their actions were motivated by Tilak’s provocative writings in his publications, Kesari and Maratha. Tilak was convicted of sedition for allegedly inciting violence against the British and received an 18-month prison sentence in 1897. In 1908, Bengali youths Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose launched a bomb at a British carriage. In his article in Kesari, Tilak expressed support for the revolutionaries and called for immediate Swaraj, or self-governance. Consequently, Tilak faced sedition charges. He served his prison sentence at Mandalay Jail in Rangoon from 1908 to 1914. Throughout this period, Tilak maintained his innocence and did not seek clemency.
When the judge asked if he had any comments to offer, Tilak replied:
“What I want to express is that, despite the jury’s verdict, I continue to assert my innocence. There are greater forces that govern the fates of individuals and countries; and I believe it may be the will of Providence that the cause I advocate could gain more from my suffering than from my words and writings.”
FREEDOM IS MY BIRTH RIGHT
Tilak was recognized for declaring, FREEDOM IS MY BIRTHRIGHT AND I WILL CLAIM IT. He was the pioneer in advocating for the boycott of British goods and promoted the Swadeshi movement. Importantly, Gandhiji commenced his nationwide campaign for Swaraj by endorsing the Swadeshi initiative. Consequently, people responded favorably by donating Rs. 1 crore to the Tilak Swaraj Fund within a few months in 1919.
Upon his return from a lengthy imprisonment, Tilak remained unwavering in his commitment to the fight for freedom. He sought to convince the congressional committee to launch a nationwide campaign for Home Rule. However, this proposal was rejected by the moderates. Subsequently, Tilak established the Home Rule League. In 1916, Annie Besant created another Home Rule League. Nehru joined both leagues but concentrated primarily on Annie Besant’s HRL. Tilak died in 1920, while Gokhale passed away in 1915.
Nehru ji represented the Indian National Congress at the Congress of Oppressed Nationalities held in Brussels, Belgium, in 1927. This assembly was organized to formulate and coordinate a collective struggle against imperialism. At this event, Nehru was appointed to the Executive Council of the League against Imperialism.
A significant evolution in his political and economic perspectives took place during Nehru’s travels across Europe and the Soviet Union from 1926 to 1927. Interestingly, Nehru’s father held the position of President of the Indian National Congress in 1928, and Nehru himself ascended to the presidency in 1929.
Independence for India League
The Nehru Report of 1928 did not advocate for total independence from British rule. Instead, it sought Dominion status for India, akin to that of Canada and Australia. It is important to note that the Nehru Report was authored by Motilal Nehru, the father of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Both Jawahar and Bose were pressing Congress to declare Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as its aim. A group called the “Independence for India League” was formed, with Jawahar Lal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose acting as Secretaries, and S. Srinivasa Iyengar as President, urging Gandhi and Patel to agree to a resolution that would position Purna Swaraj as the Congress’ goal.
Bhagat Singh and Nehru
On August 8, 1929, Nehru met Bhagat Singh and his fellow prisoners, who were on death row. Gandhi wrote a letter to the Viceroy of India expressing his opposition to the execution of Bhagat Singh,
M. K. Gandhi
1 DARYAGANJ, DELHI,
March 23, 1931
The Viceroy,
Govt. of India.
DEAR FRIEND,
It seems cruel to inflict this letter on you, but the interest of peace demands a final appeal. Though you were frank enough to tell me that there was little hope of your commuting the sentence of death on Bhagat Singh and two others, you said you would consider my submission of Saturday…..
Execution is an irretrievable act. If you think there is the slightest chance of error of judgment, I would urge you to suspend for further review an act that is beyond recall.
If my presence is necessary, I can come. Though I may not speak I may hear and write what I want to say.
“Charity never faileth.”
I am,
Your sincere friend,
M. K. Gandhi
It is noteworthy that Gandhi referred to the Governor as Friend in his correspondence, deliberately excluding any honorifics. Additionally, it is important to highlight that Hedgewar separated himself from the Congress in 1925. Sawarkar was freed from house arrest in 1924. Both Gandhi and Nehru opposed the British regarding Constitutional issues and fought against British rule through the Non-cooperation movement and Satyagraha. Moreover, Sawarkar maintained amicable relations with the British following his release in 1924. I believe that Sawarkar would have leveraged his influence and/or collaborated with Gandhi and Nehru to secure the release or a reduction of sentences for Bhagat Singh and his associates.
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Lahore session
Following the Congress session in Lahore in 1929, Nehru became the prominent leader among the nation’s intellectuals and youth. He was among the initial leaders to insist that the Congress Party completely and unequivocally sever all connections with the British. His determination for independence was endorsed at the Madras session of Congress in 1927, despite Gandhi’s opposition to the idea. In response to the Indian National Congress’s rejection of his proposal, Nehru established the Independence for India League as a faction within the Congress.
Swaraj struggle
In 1928, Gandhi ultimately acquiesced to Nehru’s appeals and proposed a resolution himself, urging the British to confer dominion status (Swaraj) upon India within a two-year period. Should the British fail to comply with this timeline, the Congress would encourage all Indians to strive for complete independence, known as Poorna Swaraj.
Nehru was among the leaders who opposed the two-year deadline established by Gandhi – both Nehru and Bose urged Gandhi to insist on immediate action from the British. In response, Gandhi made a concession and shortened the deadline to one year. Nehru concurred and cast his vote in favor of the revised resolution, which called for the British to grant dominion status to India within a year. It was agreed that if the British declined to provide dominion status, the Congress would pursue Total Independence.
Poorna Swaraj resolution of 1929
It is crucial to understand why Congress, similar to other revolutionary groups, did not advocate for or pursue complete independence until 1929. This delay can be attributed to the awareness among Indians, who, being astute, recognized that if the British departed or were ousted, another European power might likely take their place. Therefore, their concern was not solely about achieving independence but also about the possibility of being replaced by another European nation. This explains why members of Congress sought Dominion status while still under British governance. Following World War I and the Russian Revolution, events such as the emergence of Fascism and Japan’s triumph over Russia bolstered the Congress, as youthful leaders like Nehru and Bose championed a shift towards Poorna Swaraj.
Declaration of Independence in 1929
On December 29, 1929, Congress proclaimed Independence and decided to commemorate January 1930 as Independence Day annually. During this period, the Tri-colour flag was adopted as the National Flag of a free India. Nehru prepared the Indian declaration of independence in the following manner:
“We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any government deprives a people of these rights and oppresses them the people have a further right to alter it or abolish it. The British government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally and spiritually. We believe therefore, that India must severe the British connection and attain complete independence, the Purna Swaraj.”
And a pledge of independence was read out, which included a readiness to withhold taxes. Nehru had spoken openly “of the politics of non-cooperation, of the need of resigning from honorary positions under the government and of not continuing the futile politics of representation”
Tri-colour flag
In the following years, the British government designated the Indian National Congress (INC) as an illegal organization (from 1932 to 1934). The INC’s newly adopted Tricolor flag was perceived by the British as a representation of rebellion and defiance. Nevertheless, British oppression did not deter Indians from hoisting the flag. The act of raising the Tricolor flag and chanting Vande Mataram became symbols of nationalism. The quest for independence began to be known as the Flag struggle. Hundreds of thousands of Indians endured imprisonment, confronted lathis and bullets with courage. Many suffered severe injuries, and numerous individuals lost their lives to gunfire.
The RSS distanced itself from the Flag Struggle and instructed its members to refrain from participating in it. Following India’s liberation from British rule on 14 August 1947, the RSS hoisted the tricolor National Flag of India at its headquarters in Nagpur. They again raised the Tricolor flag on 26 January 1950, the day India declared itself a Republic. However, this practice was subsequently discontinued. It was not until 2002 that they resumed flying the National flag.
Dandi March
Consequently, Gandhi advocated for civil disobedience and Satyagraha. He commenced the third civil disobedience movement by breaching salt regulations. On 12 March, Gandhi embarked on his famous Dandi march, covering a distance of 240 KM on foot, starting from Sabarmati and reaching Dandi on 5 April, where he produced salt on 6 April 1930, in defiance of salt laws, accompanied by a few hundred followers. As Gandhi progressed, thousands joined him, and upon reaching Dandi, the volunteers faced brutal assaults from British Indian Sepoys. Nevertheless, no one retaliated against the violence; they simply succumbed to their injuries, predominantly to the head. The events of the salt satyagraha seem to have conveyed to Indians that they could confront a formidable opponent without resorting to violence.
However, by enduring their circumstances, millions of individuals from all regions of India participated in the Salt Satyagraha, resulting in the detention of 60,000 people nationwide. It is my belief that Indians refrained from retaliation and chose not to engage in violence, despite the atrocities perpetrated by the British, in order to showcase their commitment to Gandhi ji’s teachings and their full embrace of the Gandhian principle of satyagraha.
Nehru addressed a large assembly, led an extensive parade, and ceremonially produced contraband salt in Allahabad. He was arrested on 14 April 1930 while traveling by train from Allahabad to Raipur. He was charged with violating the salt law, underwent a swift trial within the prison, and was sentenced to six months in prison.
As the protests intensified, Nehru remarked on the remarkable public response to the Dandi march, stating, “it seemed as though water from a spring had been suddenly released.” It has been reported that he made this observation as the Non-cooperation movement lifted Indians from despair and instilled a sense of self-worth and independence under Gandhi’s leadership.
Fundamental Rights for all Citizens of India
Previously, we observed that Nehru established a group known as the “Independence for India League” to exert pressure on Gandhi to endorse Poorna Swaraj as the exclusive objective of the Congress. Simultaneously, he created another faction called the “Democracy Front” within the Congress to persuade Patel to support the declaration of Congress’s commitment to establishing a democratic government for the future citizens of India. Ultimately, Nehru achieved success in 1931. He drafted a resolution outlining fundamental rights for the future citizens of India as follows:
The right to practice one’s religion freely,
The right to establish associations,
The freedom to express one’s thoughts,
Equality before the law for all individuals, regardless of caste, color, creed, or religion,
Protection of regional languages and cultures,
Safeguarding the rights of farmers and laborers, and the abolition of untouchability,
Implementation of adult suffrage,
Enforcement of prohibition,
Nationalization of industries, promotion of socialism, and the establishment of a secular India.
Additionally, all of these objectives were incorporated into the resolution regarding “Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy” by the Congress party in 1931. This resolution was approved during the Karachi session, presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
In reality, these matters were drafted and presented to Patel and Gandhi during the Madras session of the AICC in 1929, but they were turned down by them. Ultimately, in 1930, Nehru was able to persuade both leaders to endorse his agenda focused on democracy and socialism for a New India.
Shortly after Gandhi returned from the second Round Table Conference in London, he was imprisoned in January 1932. He faced charges for allegedly trying to initiate another Civil Disobedience movement; Nehru was also detained and received a two-year prison sentence.
Indian bureaucracy was Frankly selfish
It is important to highlight that the struggle against British dominance was undertaken by the Indian National Congress under extremely adverse circumstances. In 1915, Gokhale stated that ‘the Indian bureaucracy was frankly selfish and opposed to national aspirations.’ Subsequently, Nehru criticized the Indian Civil Service for its endorsement of British policies.
Nearly all Zamindars, Rajahs, and Nawabs aligned themselves with the British. This alignment likely explains why Nehru and his contemporaries harbored animosity towards the Police, Military, Zamindars, and former Rajas and Nawabs following India’s transition to a Republic. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge that Indian Sepoys serving the British were responsible for the arrests and mistreatment of Freedom fighters. For instance, who opened fire on unarmed Indians at Jallianwala Bagh? It was the Indian Sepoys, albeit under the directives of their British superiors.
Historically, the British have often been criticized for their policy of divide and rule in India. However, it is important to recognize that individuals from various regions and diverse castes and communities participated in the British Military and Police. The British utilized these very Indians to suppress uprisings and eliminate Indian freedom fighters. This reflects the actual circumstances of that era. Therefore, it is unjust to hold a specific individual, community, or region accountable for collaborating with the British.
Democracy and Republican form of Government
Following 1925, both Hindu and Muslim organizations began to oppose the freedom struggle. They were against the principles of Democracy and the Republican form of Government. Ambedkar chose not to engage in the freedom struggle, as he was critical of Democracy founded on majoritarian principles. He prioritized the welfare of his community over the prevailing notions of Nationalism at that time. Notably, Rabindranath Tagore and several other distinguished figures also refrained from participating in the freedom struggle, although they did not actively oppose it. Furthermore, it is important to note that the Congress party did not advocate for complete freedom until 1929. It was Nehru and Bose who played a crucial role in convincing Gandhi to make Total freedom the primary objective of Congress in 1929.
In early 1936, Nehru traveled to Europe to visit his sick wife, who unfortunately passed away in Switzerland. At that moment, Europe was teetering on the edge of war.
Nehru asserted that should war break out in Europe, India should stand with the democracies. However, he maintained that India could support Great Britain and France only as an independent nation.
Subhas Chandra Bos
Nehru collaborated closely with Subhas Chandra Bose to foster positive relations with the governments of independent nations worldwide. However, their partnership fractured in the late 1930s when Bose advocated for enlisting the assistance of fascist regimes (specifically the Italians and Germans), who were adversaries of the British, in the pursuit of independence. Concurrently, Nehru had aligned himself with the Republicans who were opposing Francisco Franco’s forces during the Spanish Civil War. Nehru, accompanied by his aide V. K. Krishna Menon, traveled to Spain to express support for the Republicans. Despite Mussolini’s expressed interest in meeting him, Nehru declined to engage with the Italian dictator.
During this period, the constitutional process advanced significantly with the holding of Provincial elections in 1937.
Provincial elections of 1937
During the Lucknow session of 1936, the Congress party resolved to participate in the provincial elections scheduled for 1937. The party contended that by engaging in the government through provincial councils, they could undermine the British Government from within. Initially, Nehru was against this strategy but ultimately accepted the Congress party’s decision and agreed to spearhead the election campaign. The elections resulted in the Congress party gaining a majority in several provinces, which in turn enhanced Nehru’s popularity. This marked the onset of the establishment of autonomous governments in Indian provinces and signified the beginning of a future federal system for the Indian Union.
In every province, Congress achieved a decisive victory in the elections. Consequently, the Hindu Maha Sabha and the Muslim League were defeated. Therefore, these election outcomes should be interpreted as a clear endorsement by the people of India for Nehru’s policies promoting democracy and a republican form of governance.
When World War II commenced in 1939, Nehru quickly returned from a trip to China and declared that in the struggle between democracy and Fascism, “our sympathies must inevitably lie with democracy.”
On 23 October 1939, the Congress denounced the Viceroy’s declaration regarding India’s participation in the war, which was made without prior consultation with the Provincial Legislatures. The Congress subsequently urged its ministries to resign in protest. Prior to this significant announcement, Nehru had encouraged Jinnah and the Muslim League to partake in the protest, but they refused.
Pakistan demand
In March 1940, the Muslim League, led by Jinnah, adopted the “Pakistan Resolution” in Lahore, which asserted that “Muslims constitute a nation by any definition of a nation, and they are entitled to their own homeland, territory, and State.” This State was designated as Pakistan, which translates to “Land of the Pure.” Nehru expressed his outrage by stating that “all the old problems … pale into insignificance compared to the latest position taken by the Muslim League leader in Lahore.” Prior to this, in 1939, the Sindh Provincial Council, where the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League shared power, had passed a resolution advocating for the establishment of Pakistan.