It has been a long journey since the dawn of Independence and our beloved country has traversed many challenges, transformations and triumphs. As I pen down these words, my heart swells with pride about all that we have achieved. The milestones of this journey include schemes for financial inclusion, direct benefit transfer as well as laying the foundation of a digitally empowered society. I am happy to note that successive governments have given impetus to various infrastructure projects, including the construction of highways and the expansion of the railway network. Yet, there are unmistakable signs of despair. The architecture we devised for this great nation based on the values of inclusion, harmony and justice has developed some cracks.
In the initial sittings of the Constituent Assembly, my colleague Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had said that India is a symphony where, as in an orchestra, there are different instruments, each with its tone and texture, coming together to create a beautiful sound. The images coming from different parts of India do not reflect the spirit of “mile sur mera tumhaara to sur bane hamaara”. All of you have to roll up your sleeves and engage in repairing the cracks to retrieve the sense of togetherness and unity. It is too important an exercise to be left to just political parties and politicians.
Dehumanisation of Dalits and other marginalised communities continues unabated. During the last decade or so, Muslims have been demonised and hate has been normalised to a great extent. I still believe that the idea of India shall prevail and there will be necessary course correction. So mark my words: Feel sad but do not lose hope.
At the time of Independence, we knew that India’s diversity should not only be protected but celebrated. Despite the pain of Partition, the hope of a united, progressive and prosperous India energised our attempts to build the young country as a shining example for all the erstwhile and until then still colonised countries. We believed that we should not give in to bitterness but move forward to chart a course where we would neither cause pain to others nor endure any kind of exploitation. The ideological bloc that did not participate in the freedom struggle, that did not want to build India into a modern nation, was rejected by the people. This ideological bloc could not succeed during our lifetime, but, over the years, has created a space for themselves through lies and preying on people’s insecurities. However, it gives me great happiness, that when faced with a deficit of legitimacy they can only resort to appropriating some of our most towering heroes, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Bhagat Singh, who had castigated these ideologies for their narrowmindedness. Recently, you must have been pleasantly surprised to hear a reference to my speech on the eve of Independence — “the tryst with destiny” — from the current Prime Minister while moving from the old to the new Parliament Building. After denigrating “Nehru” and “Nehruvians” for years, if the outfit’s biggest leader had to make a reference to that speech on the day of transition, it tells you that the idea of India has innate resilience.
We fought for freedom with unity and dedication, transcending barriers of caste, creed and religion. Our collective struggle laid the foundation for a democratic India. Today, as we stand at the crossroads of history, where history itself is besieged, I urge you to uphold these core principles.
You remember, I had quoted the “Oath of Tennis Court” as a metaphor for the spirit required to guard against any potential attack on democratic ethos and republican values. Democracy is not merely a system of governance. It is also not about periodic elections. It is a way of life that demands active participation from every citizen. The power lies in your hands to shape the destiny of our nation. I implore you to exercise your right to vote wisely, keeping in mind the welfare as well as fraternity across all communities — from Manipur to Madhya Pradesh and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Choose parties and leaders who prioritise the betterment of common people, uplift the marginalised, and work tirelessly for progress and social justice and say a bold no to agendas based on insular and violent imaginations. I wish to reiterate that a polarised and divided society shall weaken this beautiful civilisation. If you don’t look at fellow countrymen with dignity and in the spirit of fraternity, you shall fail even the gods you worship and the religions you follow.
In our pursuit of progress, let us not forget that our society still believes in what my former cabinet colleague B R Ambedkar called “graded inequality”, because it assigns different levels of inequality and privilege to different castes. Instances of violence, humiliation, unspeakable dehumanisation are becoming commonplace. Ask yourself a question: Should you be comfortable and accommodative of these disturbing images? If your answer is not affirmative, you and millions of others must act.
Lastly, my dear friends, never lose faith in the democratic values that have guided our nation. Let us foster harmony and unity, including among rival political ideologies and belief systems. Embrace the richness of our cultural heritage and respect the differences that make us uniquely Indian. Let us resist the forces that seek to divide us and undermine the very essence of our unity.
As I conclude this letter, I wish to express my unwavering belief in the potential of each and every one of you. Your energy, intellect, and passion are the driving forces that will shape India’s destiny. Together, let us strive to re-build an India that embodies the dreams of our freedom fighters and the aspirations of our future generations.
With warm regards,
Jawaharlal Nehru
Manoj Kumar Jha is a Rashtriya Janata Dal MP, Rajya Sabha
An imagined letter to countrymen from India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru
8
1
15.11.2023
It has been a long journey since the dawn of Independence and our beloved country has traversed many challenges, transformations and triumphs. As I pen down these words, my heart swells with pride about all that we have achieved. The milestones of this journey include schemes for financial inclusion, direct benefit transfer as well as laying the foundation of a digitally empowered society. I am happy to note that successive governments have given impetus to various infrastructure projects, including the construction of highways and the expansion of the railway network. Yet, there are unmistakable signs of despair. The architecture we devised for this great nation based on the values of inclusion, harmony and justice has developed some cracks.
In the initial sittings of the Constituent Assembly, my colleague Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had said that India is a symphony where, as in an orchestra, there are different instruments, each with its tone and texture, coming together to create a beautiful sound. The images coming from different parts of India do not reflect the spirit of “mile sur mera tumhaara to sur bane hamaara”. All of you have to roll up your sleeves and engage in repairing the cracks to retrieve the sense of togetherness and unity. It is too important an exercise to be left to just political parties and politicians.
Dehumanisation of Dalits and other marginalised communities continues unabated. During the last decade or so, Muslims have been demonised and hate........
© Indian Express
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