The Nehru Report – Blueprint for Freedom: Unveiling the Nehru Report of 1928
The Nehru report of 1928 is an important milestone in the India freedom movement and marked the first collective effort of the Indian leadership to come with a constitution for India as a self-governing Dominion of the British Empire. Below is an overview of its background, objectives, recommendations, and impact.
Historical Background
Response to Simon Commission 1927:-
The British Government established the Simon Commission in 1927 to review Indian political circumstances and suggest constitutional reforms. The Commission had no Indian member, and public protests and demands for a constitution drafted themselves spread every day.
Indian Participation Movement:-
This snubbing urged the Indian leaders to show their capabilities to exercise some form of governance by drafting their own constitutional plan.
Formation of All Parties Conference (1928):-
In response to the Commission, Indian National Congress held the All Parties Conference, led by Motilal Nehru, to bring together various political groups and prepare a constitution that would mirror Indian desires.
Motilal Nehru Committee and Draft of the Report
Committee Composition:-
The drafting committee was headed by Motilal Nehru with such strong members as Tej Bahadur Sapru, M.R. Jayakar, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Jawaharlal Nehru acted as secretary to the committee
Objective:-
The whole purpose was to formulate a constitutional framework that would act as a foundation for further negotiations with the British government in the quest for Dominion Status—a kind of semi-autonomous self-government .
Some Important Recommendations of the Nehru Report
Dominion Status:-
India should be given the status of a Dominion within the British Empire, that is, self-government with the British monarch as a symbolical head.
Fundamental Rights:-
Fundamental rights like freedom of speech, equality before law, and protection against discrimination were to be inducted.
Federal Structure:-
A federal structure with powers divided between centre and provinces with a setup similar to the system which prevailed in Canada was proposed.
Secularism and Minority Rights:-
It advocated for secular governance, opposed separate electorates, and instead recommended joint electorates for national unity to succeed.
Universal Adult Suffrage:-
Though not in vogue then, the report envisioned universal suffrage as the ultimate goal.
Minority Rights and Separate Electorates Stand
Rejection of Separate Electorates:-
The report was highly opposed to having separate electorates based on religion and caste as it would affect the unity of the nation as well as introduce more communalism.
Reservation of Seats for Minorities:-
To protect the interests of minorities, it recommended the reservation of seats within joint electorates for Muslims and other minorities so they could be represented without affecting the political composition of electorates.
Recommendations for Form of Government
Bicameral Legislature:-
A report suggested a central bicameral legislature with an upper and lower house similar to the Parliament of Britain.
Executive Responsibility:-
The executives at both central and provinces were to be accountable to the Legislature and the provincial executives were vested with considerable autonomy.
Judiciary:-
An independent judiciary was to protect fundamental rights and also resolve disputes between central and provincial governments.
Economic and Social Reforms
Emphasis on Social Welfare:-
It recommended progressive social policies related to labor rights and education and health factors to eliminate poverty and reduce economic inequalities.
Education Promotion:-
The report demanded free and compulsory primary education for social upliftment and eradication of illiteracy among the masses.
Opposition and Criticism
Muslim League’s Protest:-
The Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah opposed the Nehru Report for failing to produce separate electorates that they felt the Muslims required to ensure their influence.
Criticism from Radicals:-
freedom fighters such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, too, opposed the plan of Dominion Status as they felt that India desired full independence rather than semi-independence.
Impact on Indian Politics
Strength of Unity among Indian Leaders:-
Supported by many critics, the Nehru Report was a landmark for Indian political unification, bringing together heterogeneous groups towards one constitutional endeavor.
Influence on later movements:-
Though not accepted, it served as a source for forming the demand for Fundamental Rights, Federal Governance, and finally, Independence.
Catalyst for future Nationalist Movements:-
Nehru Report was an occasion that transformed the high national political aspirations of India, and the future of freedom struggle.
Post Nehru Report
Lahore Resolution and Purna Swaraj, 1930:-
Congress responded to the disappointment by the British attitude of apathy through the Lahore Resolution for full independence as Purna Swaraj.
Jinnah’s Fourteen Points, 1929:-
Although the Congress would not concede on the separate electorates, Jinnah enunciated his own constitution demands for Muslim political representation and thereby sealed a permanent chasm between the Congress and the Muslim League.
Nehru Report and After Legacy
A Stepping Stone to Freedom:-
This was the first genuine attempt of Indians in framing a national constitution. However much the proposals of this document concerning fundamental rights, federalism, and democracy inspired the later course of constitutional history.
Marker of Self- Rule Aspirations:-
Although it was rejected by the British and condemned by certain Indian sections, it marked India’s intent for self-rule and her ability to reform along constitutional lines.
Nehru Report served as a groundwork of the Indian Constitution. Most of its principles, such as the granting of fundamental rights and federalism, were, in fact, included in the Indian Constitution after independence.
The Nehru Report is a landmark document marking the history of India’s fight for independence, demonstrating the commitment of Indian leaders to self-rule and the creation of one undivided nation under a single constitutional charter for all its peoples. Despite all flaws, this was a beginning step toward the establishment of an independent and democratic India.
Conclusion:-
The Nehru Report of 1928 represents a significant moment in India’s fight for independence, showcasing Indian leaders’ commitment to creating a unified nation under a single constitutional charter. Although not without its critics, this document was a foundational step towards a democratic and independent India, echoing the aspirations of self-rule and laying the groundwork for future constitutional reforms.
Also Read:- Tearing a Nation Apart: The Controversial Partition of Bengal 1905