New Delhi, May 5: Pandit Motilal Nehru was not just the father of a Prime Minister. He was a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for independence, bridging a conservative society to a modern, democratic, and secular India.
Motilal Nehru did not inherit wealth; he earned it through his intellect. His family fled to Agra during the First War of Independence in 1857, escaping the flames engulfing Delhi. Born just three months after his father’s death, he faced a childhood marked by hardship.
However, born on May 6, 1861, Motilal Nehru was exceptionally bright. He topped the bar exam in his province. His legal arguments were so sharp that even British judges feared him. There is a notable incident where a flustered British military officer asked during cross-examination, “Do you think I am a fool?” Motilal replied, “Not at all. But I might be wrong.”
Initially, Motilal Nehru was a moderate. He believed in negotiating with the British for ‘Dominion Status.’ However, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 shook him to his core. Witnessing the bodies of innocents, he exclaimed, “My blood is boiling.”
This marked a rebirth for Motilal Nehru. He abandoned his lucrative legal career and traveled to Punjab to defend those unjustly sentenced to death by the British. After meeting Mahatma Gandhi, he dedicated his life to the nation.
Motilal understood how to entrap the British in their own legal framework. When Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922, he co-founded the ‘Swaraj Party’ with C.R. Das. Their goal was to infiltrate the Central Legislative Assembly and disrupt the system. As the opposition leader, he challenged the British government, successfully opposing oppressive laws like the Public Safety Bill.
The British often claimed that Indians could not govern themselves and would always fight among themselves. Motilal Nehru accepted this challenge and presented the ‘Nehru Report’ in 1928.
He sketched the blueprint for modern India. In a conservative era when many developed nations denied women the right to vote, Motilal advocated for equal rights for men and women, promoting universal adult suffrage. He clearly stated that the country would have no religion, separating religion from politics entirely. This was a testament to his visionary and secular outlook.
The relationship between Motilal Nehru and his son Jawaharlal Nehru was as compelling as a film. The father was moderate and law-abiding, while the son, returning from Cambridge, was socialist and radical. Jawaharlal’s ideas made his father a staunch anti-imperialist, while the father’s discipline shaped his son into a mature politician.
The scene at the 1929 Lahore session is etched in Indian history, where Motilal placed the Congress presidency on his son Jawaharlal’s head. Despite his poor health, the 69-year-old Motilal was imprisoned again during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. He donated his beloved ‘Anand Bhavan’ to the nation. While the bars of Naini Jail broke his body, they could not crush his spirit. He breathed his last on February 6, 1931.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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