Thoughts of Nehru

Introduction

The thoughts of Nehru played a crucial role in shaping India’s freedom struggle and the foundations of modern Indian democracy. Jawaharlal Nehru was not only a mass leader of the national movement but also a visionary thinker who combined nationalism with socialism, secularism and scientific temper. His ideas aimed at building an India free from poverty, ignorance and communal divisions. The thoughts of Nehru continue to influence India’s political system, economic policies and democratic values even today.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s Role in India’s Independence Struggle

Jawaharlal Nehru played an important role in India’s freedom movement. With Gandhi, he led India to independence from British rule. He was firm in his belief that India should gain complete independence from British rule. Nehru joined the Indian National Congress in 1919. In 1929, Gandhi made him the Congress President.

Gandhi and Nehru formed a deep bond and worked closely together for India’s Swaraj. Nehru organized protests and demonstrations against the British rule.
In 1928, Nehru gave a historic speech where he said that India’s independence was inevitable. He encouraged other Indians to join the freedom movement.
When Gandhi launched the civil disobedience movement in 1930, Jawaharlal Nehru fully supported it. He went to jail many times during the struggle.
Jawaharlal Nehru motivated the youth to join the freedom movement. He inspired thousands of young people to work for India’s independence. The youth saw Nehru as their ideal leader.
Jawaharlal Nehru stayed in jail for almost 10 years. While in jail, he wrote letters to his daughter Indira and also wrote his famous book, The Discovery of India.
After Gandhi, Nehru became the most prominent leader of the Indian National Congress. Indians saw him as the first Prime Minister of free India.
Even when Nehru and Gandhi had disagreements, they remained close. Their partnership to achieve India’s swaraj remained strong till the end.

Nehru and the Quit India Movement

In 1942, when Gandhi launched the Quit India movement, Nehru fully supported it. He gave powerful speeches motivating Indians to fight for complete freedom.

On August 8 1942, Nehru gave a historic speech in Bombay.
Nehru was arrested by the British and remained in jail until 1945. Even from jail, Nehru led the freedom movement and spread the message of Quit India.
India achieved independence on August 15 1947. By then, Nehru had become the symbol of India’s freedom struggle and the inevitable first Prime Minister of independent India. His ideas shaped the democratic and secular foundations of modern India.

Jawaharlal Nehru and Indian National Congress

Jawaharlal Nehru played an important part in the Indian National Congress during India’s freedom fight.

Nehru joined Congress in 1919 at age 37. At that time, the Congress was becoming more powerful under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership. Nehru quickly became one of the Congress’s most popular leaders.
Nehru supported Gandhi’s strategy of peaceful protest against the British. He took part in many demonstrations and campaigns and was jailed many times by the British. Nehru became Gandhi’s closest helper.
In 1929, Nehru became Congress president. As president, Nehru travelled all over India to spread Gandhi’s message of peace and freedom from British rule. He convinced many people to join the freedom movement.
As president, Nehru tried to reduce the differences between Hindus and Muslims. He wanted both groups to be united in the movement. But religious tensions kept rising.
After India became free in 1947, Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister. But he stayed active in Congress.
As Prime Minister, Nehru worked to strengthen Congress and make it the major political party. He travelled all over India for party meetings.
Nehru spread the idea of “secular India” through Congress. He said India must give equal rights to people of all religions. This idea of secularism became one of the Indian Constitution’s main principles.
As prime minister and Congress leader, Nehru worked to end poverty in India and build a modern nation. He focused on developing industries, science, and technology education in India.
Nehru’s death in 1964 was a big blow to Congress. After Nehru, Congress could not find another charismatic leader to lead the party for many decades.
Nehru played an important role in Congress as a charismatic leader, effective organizer and main strategist. He strengthened Congress and made it the major political party after India became free. Nehru spread secular and socialist ideals through Congress, which formed the basis of the Indian Constitution and policies.

Jawaharlal Nehru advocated complete freedom for India. He opposed any type of compromise with the British, like Dominion Status.

Nehru supported socialism and secularism. He dreamt of an India which would be free of poverty, illiteracy and communal divisions.
Nehru encouraged the spread of science and rational thinking in India. He believed this would help build a modern India.
Jawaharlal Nehru popularized the slogan of ‘Purna Swaraj’, or complete independence for India. He spread this message among Indians through his speeches.

Philosophy of Jawaharlal Nehru

Now we will discuss the main aspects of Nehru’s philosophy of life and governance.

1. Democracy and Secularism

Nehru was a firm believer in democracy. He said that democracy gives equal rights and freedom to all citizens to develop themselves fully.
Nehru worked hard to establish India as a democratic and secular nation where people of all religions get equal rights and respect.
He believed that religion is a personal matter and the state should not interfere in it. He said Indian people follow many religions, and the government has to remain equidistant from all religions. This idea of secularism became part of the Indian Constitution.

2. Socialism

Nehru’s economic ideology was socialism. He wanted the government to control major industries and services to make sure that the benefits reach all people equally.
Nehru nationalized many private companies related to basic necessities like banks, insurance, airlines etc. He also started many public sector companies in key industries like steel, mining, energy, transportation etc.
Through the Five-Year Plans, Nehru focused on developing heavy industries, dams and irrigation facilities to build a self-reliant economy.

3. Non-Violence

Nehru deeply respected Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of non-violence.
He said that non-violence is not just a political strategy but an ideal way of living.
Nehru believed one should meet violence with a spirit of forgiveness and goodwill. He also said violence often breeds more violence and hatred.

4. Secular Humanism

Nehru’s philosophy was inspired by secular humanism.

He emphasized the importance of scientific temper, rational thinking and humanistic values like love, compassion and Service to humanity.
Nehru believed human values are more important than religious dogmas. He wanted to build an India based on human equality, reason and universal brotherhood.

5. Unity in Diversity

The Indian subcontinent has a lot of diversity in terms of languages, cultures, religions and ethnicities.

Nehru said our diversity can become our strength if we promote unity and mutual respect between all groups.
He wanted to build an Indian identity that transcends religious and regional identities. He stressed that, at the core, Indians share the same destiny and goals of progress and freedom.

6. Education and Science

Nehru considered education as the most powerful tool for social change and progress.

He focused on expanding educational institutions and improving the quality of education in India.
Nehru had great faith in science and reasoning. He said scientific temper would help people get rid of superstitions and dogmas.
He established many scientific research institutions and invested heavily in science and technology education.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the thoughts of Nehru laid the intellectual and moral foundation of modern India. His commitment to democracy, secularism, socialism and scientific temper shaped India’s constitutional values and nation-building process. Nehru believed that political freedom must lead to social justice, economic development and unity in diversity. His vision of a modern, rational and inclusive India continues to guide Indian democracy and governance. Even today, the thoughts of Nehru remain highly relevant in addressing challenges of development, equality and national integration.

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Thoughts of Jawaharlal Nehru

Introduction