NEHRU ON DEMOCRACY

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, was a staunch
advocate of democracy and played a pivotal role in shaping the country's
democratic institutions. He was a democrat as well as a socialist. The high
ideals of democracy and socialism were epitomized in him. His views on
democracy were deeply influenced by his commitment to social justice,
secularism, and the principles of socialism. History had selected India as one of
democracy's and socialism's chief testing grounds. Nehru played significant
part in enabling India to meet this challenge. In examining Nehru's views on
democracy, we can explore various dimensions of his vision, including the role
of the state, the importance of citizen participation, and challenges to
democracy.
Jawaharlal Nehru believed that the problems of democracy could only be
solved by more democracy, rather than through more institutionalisation and
laws. Nehru’s key dilemmas about democracy were the challenge of balancing
the vibrant spirit of the democratic movement with the stability of institutions.
On the one hand, democracy must be willed into existence through active
participation from citizens. On the other hand, democracy will only be stable if
it is institutionalised. Nehru’s answer to this dilemma was not to make more
laws but to have more democracy.
NEHRU’S VISION OF DEMOCRACY
The first step to institutionalising democracy was to create a Constitution. Yet,
during the process of framing India’s new Constitution, Nehru feared that it
would be inflexible and rigid. He was concerned about one generation
legislating for future generations.
Nehru envisioned democracy as a means to achieve social justice and
inclusivity. He believed that democracy should not merely be a political system
but should extend to economic and social realms, ensuring equitable
opportunities and benefits for all citizens.
Secularism was a cornerstone of Nehru's democratic vision. He emphasized the
importance of a secular state that treated all religions equally. Nehru sought to
create a society where diverse religious and cultural identities coexisted
harmoniously within a democratic framework.
Nehru integrated socialist principles into his democratic vision, emphasizing
the need for economic planning to reduce socio-economic disparities. He
believed that democracy should not only ensure political freedoms but also
address economic inequalities through planned development.
TOWARDS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST STATE
Nehru was a democrat out and out. But he knew that India was a country of
poverty and abysmal poverty. The people were illiterate too. In this con- text, it
was a Herculean task to improve the lot of the people within the minimum
time without resorting to coercive methods. If there was no quick development
in the standard of living of the people, democracy in India was at stake. He had
great love for democracy but democracy without socialism meant little to him.
With Nehru equality and liberty always went together. He was especially
interested in the drafting of the Directive Principles, since it had always been an
article of faith with him that political democracy was incomplete without
economic and social democracy.
Nehru proceeded boldly, to work for a Democratic Socialist State. Nehru, in
fact, was aiming at Democratic socialism where there was increasing
production, full employment, no exploitation, equality of opportunity, freedom
and the possibility for everyone to live a good life. Thus, to Nehru, Democracy
and Socialism were inseparable. One was in- complete without the other. He
believed, democracy cannot exist without socialism and there can be true
socialism through democracy.
CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY FACED BY NEHRU
1. Partition and Communal Tensions: The partition of India in 1947,
accompanied by communal tensions and violence, presented an
immediate challenge to the nascent democracy. Nehru had to grapple
with the aftermath of partition and work towards fostering communal
harmony.
2. Economic Development and Poverty: Nehru faced the monumental task
of addressing widespread poverty and underdevelopment. His
commitment to socialism was evident in the initiation of the Five-Year
Plans, aimed at achieving economic self-sufficiency and reducing poverty
through planned development.
3. Democratic Institutions and Nation-Building: Building robust democratic
institutions posed a challenge in a diverse and newly independent
nation. Nehru worked towards establishing a democratic framework that
could accommodate the pluralistic nature of Indian society and ensure
political stability.
NEHRU AND DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION
1. Parliamentary Democracy: Nehru played a crucial role in shaping India's
parliamentary democracy. He emphasized the importance of democratic
institutions such as the Parliament, where representatives could engage
in constructive debates and decision-making.
2. Election Commission and Free and Fair Elections: Recognizing the
significance of free and fair elections, Nehru supported the
establishment of the Election Commission. He advocated for electoral
processes that allowed citizens to choose their representatives without
interference or manipulation.
3. Role of Media: Nehru acknowledged the vital role of the media in a
democracy. He upheld the principles of press freedom and believed that
a free and responsible media played a crucial role in informing the
public, fostering public opinion, and holding the government
accountable.
4. Federalism and State Autonomy: Nehru recognized the importance of
federalism and state autonomy in a diverse country like India. He sought
to balance centralized planning with the autonomy of states, ensuring
that local governance structures could address regional issues effectively.
CRITICISMS AND CONTROVERSIES
1. Authoritarian Tendencies: Nehru faced criticism for certain authoritarian
tendencies, particularly during periods of internal unrest. The imposition
of Emergency in 1975, under the leadership of his daughter Indira
Gandhi, was a controversial move that temporarily suspended
democratic rights.
2. Handling of Kashmir Issue: The handling of the Kashmir issue and the
integration of the region into India raised questions about democratic
principles. The special autonomy granted to Jammu and Kashmir became
a contentious issue with implications for democratic governance.
CONCLUSION
Jawaharlal Nehru's vision of democracy was deeply rooted in his commitment
to social justice, secularism, and socialist principles. He played a pivotal role in
shaping India's democratic institutions, laying the groundwork for a diverse and
inclusive democratic framework. While facing numerous challenges, Nehru's
legacy endures in the foundational principles of the Indian Republic. The
ongoing task of addressing contemporary challenges and upholding democratic
values requires a commitment to the vision that Nehru articulated for a free,
just, and pluralistic society.