Nehru Report 1928 – Full Guide
Introduction
The Nehru Report of 1928 is an important milestone in the history of Indian nationalism, which proposed a new constitutional framework for India. A committee headed by Jawaharlal Nehru prepared it, and it aimed to present a blueprint for a self-governing India within the British Empire. The report was a response to the Simon Commission, which the British government appointed to study the Indian constitutional system.
Background
The Indian National Congress had been demanding self-government for India since its inception in 1885. The demand grew louder in the early 20th century, and the British government had promised to grant India responsible government in due course. However, after the First World War, the British government was not inclined to fulfill its promise. In 1927, the British government appointed a commission headed by Sir John Simon to study the Indian constitutional system and recommend reforms.
Nehru Report 1928
The Nehru Report was a response to the Simon Commission. The report was prepared by a committee of 16 members headed by Jawaharlal Nehru. The committee included prominent leaders like Motilal Nehru, Tej Bahadur Sapru, and M.R. Jayakar. The report proposed a new constitution for India to establish a self-governing India within the British Empire. The report called for dominion status for India, which would make India a fully self-governing country within the British Empire. It also proposed the establishment of a federal government with strong central powers and autonomous provinces.
Salient Features
The Nehru Report proposed the following features:
- Dominion status for India
- The federal government with strong central powers
- Provincial autonomy
- Separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary
- Adult suffrage
- Fundamental rights for citizens
- Protection of minorities
- No separate electorates for any community
Response
The Nehru Report was widely discussed in India and became a major point of debate. The Indian National Congress hailed the report, but it was criticized by some Muslim leaders who felt that it did not adequately address their concerns. The Muslim League, which was founded in 1906, had been demanding separate electorates for Muslims, but the Nehru Report did not include this provision. The report also faced opposition from conservative Hindu leaders who were opposed to the idea of a federal India.
Significance
The Nehru Report of 1928 is considered a significant document in India’s history, as it proposed a comprehensive framework for India’s future constitutional structure. The report was an important step towards achieving Indian self-governance, which eventually led to India’s independence from British rule in 1947.
The report proposed dominion status for India, which was a step towards complete independence, as it would make India a self-governing country within the British Empire. The proposal for a federal government with strong central powers and autonomous provinces was also significant, as it provided a framework for a decentralized government structure.
The report’s proposal for adult suffrage, fundamental rights for citizens, and protection of minorities were also significant, as it aimed to provide a democratic and inclusive government structure. The report’s rejection of separate electorates for any community was also a significant step towards building a united India.
Criticisms
The Nehru Report faced criticism from some Muslim leaders who felt that it did not adequately address their concerns. The report did not include the demand for separate electorates for Muslims, which was a demand of the Muslim League, founded in 1906.
Some conservative Hindu leaders were also critical of the report, as they were opposed to the idea of a federal India. They believed that a centralized government structure would be more appropriate for India.
Legacy
The Nehru Report provided the basis for the demand for a constituent assembly, which eventually led to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. The report’s proposals for dominion status, the federal government, and the protection of minorities were incorporated into the Indian Constitution.
The Nehru Report’s rejection of separate electorates for any community was also significant, as it paved the way for a united India. The report’s proposals for adult suffrage, fundamental rights for citizens, and protection of minorities also influenced India’s post-independence government structure.
Conclusion
The Nehru Report of 1928 was an important document in India’s history, as it proposed a comprehensive framework for India’s future constitutional structure. The report’s proposals for dominion status, the federal government, and the protection of minorities were significant steps toward achieving Indian self-governance.
Although the report faced criticism from some Muslim and Hindu leaders, it provided the basis for the demand for a constituent assembly, which eventually led to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. The Nehru Report remains an important document in the history of Indian constitutionalism and continues to influence India’s government structure to this day.
References:
Bipan Chandra, Mridula Mukherjee, Aditya Mukherjee, India’s Struggle for Independence. Penguin Books, 1989.
Judith M. Brown, Modern India: The Origins of an Asian Democracy. Oxford University Press, 1985.
“Nehru Report.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2023.
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