BLOCK IV

Imaginaries of the
Nation and the World
UNIT 8 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU- STATE,
NATION BUILDING AND
SECULARISM*
Structure
8.0 Objectives
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Jawaharlal Nehru and State Building Post-Independence
8.2.1 Prominence of Scientific Culture in State Building
8.2.2 Idea of Planned Economy
8.2.3 Mixed Economy
8.2.4 Industrial Development
8.3 Jawaharlal Nehru and Nation Building
8.3.1 What is Nation Building?
8.3.2 Features of Nation Building
8.3.2.1 Making of the Constitution and Accommodation
8.3.2.2 Parliamentary Democracy
8.3.2.3 Federalism
8.3.2.4 Linguistic Re-organisation of States
8.3.2.5 Democratic De-centralisation of Catering Towards
Panchayati Raj
8.3.2.6 Party Building
8.4 Jawaharlal Nehru and Secularism
8.4.1 What is Secularism?
8.4.2 Nehru and Secularism
8.5 Let Us Sum Up
8.6 References
8.7 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

*
Dr Bipasha Rosy Lakra, Assistant Professor, Departmen of Political Science, JMC, University of
Delhi

112
 Jawaharlal Nehru-
8.0 OBJECTIVES State, Nation Building
and Secularism

The aim of this unit is to familiarize you with Jawaharlal Nehru’s ideas of state,
nation-building and secularism. After studying this unit, you should be able to:

 Engage with Jawaharlal Nehru’s views on nation and state building.

 Define Secularism
 To explore Nehru’s views on Secularism

8.1 INTRODUCTION
Jawaharlal Nehru could be asserted as among the few leaders who laid the very
foundation of Indian nation–state along with his critical socio-political ideas. He
was politically baptized by Mahatma Gandhi and redefined the nationalist
ideology in accordance with his rational faculties. For instance, till the 1928
Calcutta Congress session, the Congress leaders were content with the idea of
dominion status. However, Nehru along with his radical colleagues put forth
strong defence and arguments that paved way for the 1929 Lahore Congress
session to accept his idea of complete freedom and independence rather than a
dominion status. Nehru was a scientific rationalist that many a times ran contrary
to Congress leadership. Further, post–independence, he took charge as the first
prime minister of India and introduced socialist pattern of society that enmeshed
classical Marxism and a version of capitalism that germinated in India in terms of
colonialism. Therefore, it could be argued that Jawaharlal Nehru has not only
been an icon during the colonial era, but in post-colonial time period too wherein
many a times his political thoughts get evoked for an analysis and examination.

8.2 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU AND STATE BUILDING

POST- INDEPENDENCE
Post–independence Jawaharlal Nehru dropped his earlier conviction for Russian
Communism and his socialism and further, he did not aim at abolishing
capitalism, but curated a new scheme for India’s development and growth i.e., co-
joining certain essence of capitalism and socialism popularly referred to as ‘mixed
economy’. The reasons were obvious –the newly born nation required welfare of
all individuals based on secularism, democracy and socialism. The major
hallmarks were to be political, social and economic equality. Its cherished maxim
was liberty. However, for the good of all, this liberty was to be tethered by the
state. The Indian Constitution is the other component of a democratic system that
paved the way for raising the socio-economic standards of citizens.

Further, the rural masses formed the majority of the Indian population.
Agriculture was the backbone of Indian economy initially; therefore, Nehru
deemed it fit that rural masses became self-reliant. Thus, the adoption of
Gandhian method of Khadi and cottage industries seemed like a viable alternative.
He argued that through community projects the rural populations could get rid of 113
BLOCK IV socio-economic shortcomings as well as do away with illiteracy and ignorance
Imaginaries of the
Nation and the World gradually. However, unlike Gandhiji, Nehru did not only rely on development of
villages, but put in a lot of emphasis on industries as a means to become self-
sufficient and reliant on oneself. He argued that Indian poverty could not be
eradicated until there was self-sufficiency in terms of utilizing science and
technology for industrial purposes and its proliferation. For instance, the five year
plans post-independence laid greater emphasis on establishment of heavy
industries, though he had specific apprehensions too. In his own words:

I am all for tractors and big machinery, and I am convinced that

the rapid industrialization of India is essential to relieve the
pressure on land, to combat poverty and raise standards of
living, for defense and a variety of other purposes. But I am
equally convinced that the most careful planning and adjustment
are necessary if we are to reap the full benefit of
industrialization and avoid many of its dangers.

He asserted that this method of planning is necessary to release the arrested

growth that have taken China and India within its grip. He further emphasized that
he had been greatly attracted to the Industrial movement that was majorly
engaging the industrial co-operatives. He thought that it would fit the Indian
background to, “give a democratic basis to small industry, and develop the co-
operative habit”. This could be further utilized to complement the bigger
industries. He said, “it must be remembered that, however rapid might be the
development of heavy industry in India, a vast field will remain open to small and
cottage industries. Even in Soviet Russia owner-producer co-operatives have
played an important part in industrial growth”.

Nehru not only emphasized the quantitative adjustment and balancing of several
tenets of method of production; but he desired politico-economic qualitative
changes to be done wherein new social benefits flow. Moreover, the social and
psychological aspects in this stance are to be given primacy. He stated, “thus we
will change the static character of our living and make it dynamic and vital, and
our minds will become active and adventurous. New situations lead to new
experiences, as the mind is compelled to deal with them and adapt itself to a
changing environment”. (pg 409) Nehru in his work- Discovery of India- asserts
that the three fundamental necessities of India were to develop “industrially and
otherwise”. Heavy engineering, machine-making industry, scientific research
institutes and electric power were essential to its economic growth vis-à-vis
building capacities for its people. He argued that these should be the very
foundations of all such planning to which the national planning committee too
laid emphasis on. He also mentioned that India lacked all these elements and that
there were always bottlenecks in the industrial expansion.

114
8.2.1 Prominence of Scientific Culture in State Building Jawaharlal Nehru-
State, Nation Building
and Secularism
Jawaharlal Nehru thoroughly believed in scientific culture and he was convinced
that methods and positive approach towards science have transformed, renewed,
revolutionized human life while also opening avenues for further research
changes. Moreover, Nehru’s approach towards life was based on scientific spirit.
He further said, “it is the scientific approach, the adventures and yet critical
temper of science, the search for truth and new evidence, the reliance on observed
fact and not on pre-conceived theory, the hard discipline of the mind-all that is
necessary; not merely for the applications of science but for life itself and the
solutions of its many problems”.

Therefore, he believed that merely large scale application of science and

technology consequently wouldn’t lead to economic development; however,
“progressive ideas” along with development of science were essential for all
round development. He also sought that religious and superstitious belief or belief
systems were big hurdles in socio-economic development of the country.
Therefore, it could be put forth that he was a socialist, but did not confirm to any
dogmas. He said, “and so while I accepted the fundamentals of the socialist
theory, I did not trouble myself about its numerous inner controversies. I had little
patience with the leftist groups in India, spending much of their energy in mutual
conflict and recrimination over fine points of doctrine which did not interest me at
all. Life is too complicated and, as far as we can understand it in our present state
of knowledge, too illogical, for it to be confined within the four corners of a fixed
doctrine”.

Thus, it could be concluded that Nehru had been a progressive leader who
moulded the environment in accordance to the then situation/s. He engaged with
democratic values and inculcated it in his political thoughts. Consequently, his
idea of socialism developed as Democratic Socialism which was an important
tenet for his economic planning.

8.2.2 The Idea of Planned Economy

For Jawaharlal Nehru- in his popular speech of India’s ‘tryst with destiny’ the
agenda included end of poverty, diseases and equality of opportunity. His idea of
development was a welfare state that would follow a socialist pattern. In this
stance, in his First Five Year Plan he asserted that refashioning of the economy
and social structure was pertinent to promote happiness in material and spirit. The
society required not to run on profit, but an urge for a classless society based on
cooperative effort that would provide opportunities for all. Therefore, he preferred
a democratic method for this to be realised.

Further, democratic planning meant utilization of available resources along with

recognition of full quality of labour. His idea was to increase wealth, raise
standards of living of the people in India, lessen the divide between wealthy and 115
the poor, thus ridding the nation of poverty and unemployment. He further said,
BLOCK IV “we believe in democracy, we believe in individual freedom and liberty, we
Imaginaries of the
Nation and the World believe indeed that every individual is worthwhile and we cannot treat him merely
as some peg in the hole. This is our broad outlook. At the same time necessarily
following from that belief, we believe in economic betterment of every individual
and in removal of great distinctions between various groups and classes and a
gradual approach to equal opportunities for all. In the economic field, we are
faced with the question of developing India rapidly as we can and rising standards
of life. There are social forces which compel us to do that which do not leave
much choice. Now how are we to do that?”.

In this stance, one of the fundamental elements of Nehruvian model of

development was planned economy. The history behind this goes back to the days
when Nehru in 1927 during his visit was impressed with Soviet Russia’s planned
economy. Therefore, Economic Research Department was established in 1928
upon his insistence. The historical session of Congress that was held in Karachi in
1931 wherein various economic proposals were passed and was decided that the
role and control of state in the economic field would be considered important. It
was further decided that the state would reign the principle industries such as
public services, transport, railways, air and water, mineral resources respectively.
At the instance of the Congress, a National Planning Committee was constituted
and it consisted of fifteen members as well as representatives of provincial
governments in addition to Indian states that chose to collaborate with them.
Jawaharlal Nehru became the president of this committee which had industrialists,
financiers, economists, professors, scientists, village industries association and
representatives of the Trade Union Congress as well as village industries
associations. The reports that the committee prepared entailed self-sufficiency and
the doubling of per-capita income in the next respective decade. A radical
structural change was speculated for a socialist renewal of economy as
emphasised by the National Planning Committee.

Development of Agriculture Agriculture has been a salient feature of Indian

economy to progress as majority of the masses practised it for subsistence. For
Nehru, development of agriculture could cater to development of the whole
economy. He wrote further, “he entire future of our Second Five year Plan
depends upon our agricultural production. It is only the increase in agricultural
production that will give us the resources to fulfil that plan or even go ahead.. If
that falls us, the plan fails, and the future of India is dark. This applies to all
agricultural production, more especially it applies to food grains because they are
the basis of life here. It is bad enough that India, an agricultural country has to
import food grains. It would be worse if we do not get over this in the near future
and have surpluses which will give a basic strength to our economy”.

Another landmark decision pertaining to Indian agriculture and its attempt to

increase production was land reforms. Land reforms became an essential tool to
steer clear anomalies prevalent in the Indian agriculture system. The land reforms
116 process was initiated post-independence which aimed at abolishment of
intermediaries and landlordism. The first Constitutional amendment of 1951 and Jawaharlal Nehru-
the fourth in 1955, the state assemblies were empowered to make laws and State, Nation Building
and Secularism
abolish intermediaries. By 1960, the states passed abolition acts for zamindari,
taluqedari, jagirdari systems respectively. The land ceiling laws were passed in
1959 to prevent any concentration of power in the hands of the few individuals.
Therefore, under this system the tillers of the land secured occupancy rights in
their holdings. Thus, this was envisaged to increase agricultural production.

Further river valley projects for irrigation purposes and generation of electricity
was another modern method to increase agricultural yields. Nehru emphasised on
the usage of organic and composed manure, indigenous fertilizers, approved seeds
and chemical fertilizers respectively. He believed in agriculture education too. He
further wanted to link industrial production processes along with agriculture,
especially in the textiles industry. There were two schemes such as the
Communities Development Programme (CDP) and National Service Extension
Scheme (NSES) that Nehru extended with the increase in agricultural production
and that further catered to growth in small scale industries. Community
development was seen as a catalyst for rural development. While village-cottage
industries were beneficial for community development, he also wished that
production of khadi becomes an important part of community development
programme.

8.2.3 Mixed Economy

Mixed economy was one of the most integral plans of Jawaharlal Nehru. The idea
of a mixed economy was highly influenced by the concept a democratic
socialism. In his own words: “I believe in a socialistic pattern of society. We have
declared this as our goal. But even there, we have not adopted a rigid attitude
which would prevent us from having any leeway or learning from our past
experience or changed circumstances. At the same time we have allowed a very
large margin within which other forces co-operate. Their doors are open to all of
you to function in your own way. In fact, we want to help you in that. There is no
question of blind acceptance here. The basic question before us is to increase
production of essential consumer goods and their equitable distribution which will
reduce the disparity between the haves and the have-nots. We do not want the
new wealth to remain in the hands of a few people. That is not right”.

The mixed economy entailed enmeshing of socialist ideals and capitalist ventures
in a given economy. In this stance, public and private sector worked in a
complementary manner to cater to growth of the nation. Further, the public sector
constituted the state enterprises while the private sector entailed private/individual
corporate enterprises. However, it was the prominence of state enterprises over
the private enterprises in post-independence that was thought to increase
economic and industrial development. Foundational and basic industries were
dealt by the public sector enterprises, while the distribution of consumer goods
was taken care of by the private sector. 117
BLOCK IV
Imaginaries of the
8.2.4 Industrial Development
Nation and the World
Nehru was one of the prominent leaders who advocated and promoted heavy
industries in India. He preferred heavy industries over cottage industries (as
asserted by M.K Gandhi) in the pre-independence period too. Nehru stressed on
the necessity of heavy industries for catering towards public utility provided that
they did not jeopardise with the cottage industries and were to be strictly state
owned. Further, in his book Discovery of India he justifies that large scale
industries are inevitable and important. Moreover, he argues that cottage
industries would cater to subsistence, but for a stronger economy and
development large and heavy industries were required. Quote here:

He said further “it can hardly be challenged that, in the context of the modern
world, no country can be politically and economically independent, even within
the framework of interdependence, unless it is highly industrialized and has
developed its power resources to the utmost. Nor can it achieve or maintain high
standards of living and liquidate poverty without the aid of modern technology in
almost every sphere of life. An industrially backward country will continually
upset the world equilibrium and encourage the aggressive tendencies of more
developed countries. Even if it retains its political independence, this will only be
nominal, and economic control will tend to pass to other. This control will
inevitably upset its own small economy which seeks to preserve in pursuit of its
own view life. Thus, an attempt to build up a country’s economy largely on the
basis of cottage and small-scale industries is doomed to failure. It will not solve
the basic problems of the country or maintain freedom, nor will it fit in with the
world framework, except as a colonial appendage”.

Therefore, it was his prerogative to stress on three aspects of fundamental

requirements for development i.e. heavy engineering, machine making industry,
scientific research institutes and electric power. Further, he says that cottage and
heavy industries should work in a co-ordinated manner and avoid any conflict.
However, he stresses on the importance of heavy industries and states: “without
heavy industries we cannot remain independent, we become dependent, not only
dependent but dependent in a bad way. Nor do I think we might be able to raise
the standard of living adequately unless we have heavy industries at the back of
us”.

Check Your Progress Exercise 1

Note: i) Use the space given below for your answer.
ii) Check your progress with the model answer given at the end of
the unit.

1. What do you understand by ‘state-building’?

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118 …………………………………………………………………………...……
 …………………………………………………………………………...…… Jawaharlal Nehru-
………………………………………………………………………...……… State, Nation Building
and Secularism
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8.3 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU AND NATION

BUILDING
8.3.1 What is Nation Building?
The mid- twentieth century witnessed a wave of decolonization process and
independence movements along with prolonged struggles against imperialism.
India was no exception. However, amidst all of these challenges lied the divisive
forces that compelled India to be divided into two nations, but despite that,
various challenges awaited in future course of time such as religious, social,
cultural, linguistic and regional conflicts. Jawaharlal Nehru, being the first Prime
Minister of independent India took charge of the situation. Being a prolific
student of Indian history, culture, society, economy—he designed a strategy based
on national integration, consensus accommodation and decentralization. Ideals
such as democracy, welfarism, democratic socialism were at the core of
functioning of the state.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s idea of nation building had primarily a ‘modernist’ outlook.

He further approached a rationalist thought in every sphere for the development of
the nation. Most importantly, he gave primacy to an individual’s national polity
rather than the religion or his/her religious community. This implied that he
stressed on the separation between religion and politics. Moreover, nation was to
be revered by all irrespective of race, caste or any community largely.
Consequently post-independence, the successive states which were plural for
instance, India faced issues pertaining to caste, community and religious
contrasts. Therefore, it was the handiwork of the state leadership to pay attention
to these shortcomings and thereby, pave way for a nation building process. In this
stance, Jawaharlal Nehru had a seminal position. He was the guiding light of
independent India and guided its destiny till his demise.

National integration has been a crucial ingredient while one deals with nation-
building. National integration in this stance as defined by B.C Upreti entails a
process of coming together of various segments of the society at large. He also
stresses that integration does not mean uniformity. Instead it is a condition
wherein communities share ethical values and consensus which is manifested in
terms of growth of nationalism and a communitarian outlook.

Further, in accordance to Myron Weiner, national integration is a “process of

binding together of culturally and socially distinct groups into a single territorial
unit and the establishment of a national identity. It is both a process as well as a
goal by which all the people inhabiting a particular territory. Irrespective of their
religious, ethnic and linguistic differences, on the base of certain traditions,
119
BLOCK IV experiences, common history and values strive to live together”. Quote the
Imaginaries of the
Nation and the World article.

Another scholar, Rasheeduddin Khan elaborated that national integration in India

requires that variables of religion, caste, tribe, region, language, culture, economy
and class for social stratification are fused in a design of ‘unity in diversity’. He
also argued further that cohesion and unity are essential, not uniformity;
Moreover, integration, reconciliation, solidarity were core constituting principles
to be imbibed by the people who constituted as Indian citizens. He said that
“federal India must resort to federal solutions and not resort to unitarian and
simplistic solutions imposed authoritatively without democratic sensitivity”.

8.3.2 Features of Nation Building

Thus, one can infer from the above definitions that national integration is a multi-
dimensional concept that is integral to nation building project that Nehru
envisaged. In this stance, Nehru envisaged specific ingredients for his popular
nation building process that comprised of-

8.3.2.1 Making of the Constitution and Accommodation

Firstly, the making of the constitution based on consensus, accommodation and

secular practises- Jawaharlal Nehru’s idea of integration wherein he
accommodated various strands from the society. The feudal interests were
accommodated through these provision for Privy Purses as well as creation of Part
B states wherein they were given the office of Rajpramukh. Further, the liberals
were accommodated through provisions such as fundamental rights,
parliamentary democracy, independence of judiciary, supremacy of constitution
while the Socialists were catered through Socialist policies through Directive
Principles of State Policies. The Gandhian demands and desires were
accommodated through provision of Article 40 of the Indian Constitution wherein
establishment of Gram Panchayats which would serve as units of local self-
government. It was further stressed that a nation like India has stood the test of
time due to early acceptance of the features of national integration despite strains
such as partition of the country and subsequent domestic problems that ensued.
Moreover, progression of the centre into the peripheral areas for administrative
development was crucial in this stance. Thus, making of the Indian constitution
that was based on consensus and plural accommodation was a requirement of the
hour then. Nehru emphasised on the regional integration for all sections realised
as a building block for nation building. He was a believer of dialogue and
discussion wherein he played a prominent role in framing the Constitution of
India. In this engagement, he emphasised accommodating the minorities and
thereby, giving them Right to Equality, Right to Religious Freedom, Educational
and Cultural Rights respectively. Further, capitalist and landlords were given the
Right to Property while the working classes were accommodated through the
120 provisions of Directive Principles of State Policy.
8.3.2.2 Parliamentary Democracy Jawaharlal Nehru-
State, Nation Building
and Secularism
Jawaharlal Nehru believed that parliamentary democracy was crucial for
integration of religious, social, linguistic, and social groups from India into one.
He stressed that this would further allow them shares in power-structure. He was
essentially keen on parliamentary form of democracy rather than the presidential
system owing to pluralist executive wherein various groups could be
accommodated. He believed that parliamentary democracy could not only provide
stability but flexibility too owing to diverse social structure. His outlook was
perhaps influenced by the conflict that emerged in the USA between the Supreme
Court and the President on the issue of the New Deal Programme post the Second
World War. Parliamentary system did cater to stability during such issues.
However, transformation of one party dominance to multi-party upsurge has led
to specific instabilities such as regionalisation of politics and decline of the
Congress party too which furthered the dysfunctionality of national integration
while India needed it most and thereby, leading to unstable governments or weak
rule and coordination. However, despite these developments, parliamentary
system ensured equal shares to social formations in the power structure, both at
national and state levels. Moreover, formation of coalition governments post-
1967 General Elections in India and in the centre after 1989 parliamentary
elections—it witnessed political upheaval; nonetheless, power sharing has been
crucial in these times too, which if argued, has fulfilled Nehru’s idea of national
integration to some extent.

8.3.2.3 Federalism

Jawaharlal Nehru realised that a unitary system was not suitable for a large
geographical country like India which was equally diverse in terms of culture,
religion, race, caste, tribe etc. Therefore, the central government was to be taken
as ‘staff’ while the state governments were to be taken as ‘line agencies’. This
was to cater to equal distribution of resources and also in accordance to their
requirements and demands. In this stance, Nehru took care of the respective chief
ministers and took them in confidence on all crucial issues such as appointment of
governors and communicated regularly.

8.3.2.4 Linguistic Re-organisation of States

Nehru had an excellent sense of political foresightedness. This entailed him

recognising legitimate political aspirations of regional groups and regions.
Linguistic groups and their demands were of utmost importance then; those were
vying separate states. To proceed with this process, Nehru set-up the States Re-
Organisation Commission in 1953 and thereby, accepted the demand of the
Telegu communities for the creation of Andhra from Madras. Majority of the
states were re-organised on linguistic basis except Bombay and Punjab in 1956.
However, it is to be noted that it was difficult for Nehru to reorganise on linguistic
lines—the states due to issues pertaining to rehabilitation of refugees, integration 121
of princely states and dealing with food crisis. Later, Bombay was subdivided into
BLOCK IV Maharashtra and Gujrat in the year 1960 as demands for these states gained
Imaginaries of the
Nation and the World momentum.

8.3.2.5 Democratic De-centralization Catering towards Panchayati

Raj

The idea of democratic decentralisation was taken as a central tenet in nation

building as he deemed it fit to link the centre to the periphery and thereby,
bridging the gap too. Participatory democracy was in mind while Nehru was
going about with the concept of nation building as he believed that peoples’
participation was of utmost importance to cater to democracy as an ideal that
independent India had adopted. Panchayati Raj as an empirical method provided
the masses a choice to engage in the decision making procedure directly through
the institution of Gram Sabha and indirectly through their representatives in
institutions such as Panchayat Samitis, Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishads
respectively. Nehru emphasized that the three tier organisation of institutions
would integrate and sub-structure power judiciously. This would further pave way
for sharing/partnering of social groups such as tribe, caste, sect, religion etc.

8.3.2.6 Party Building

Jawaharlal Nehru emphasised party building exercise that entailed linking of the
Congress party to towns and villages through the centre. For this measure, the
Village Congress Committees, Mohalla or Ward Congress Committees, Mandal
Congress Committees, District Congress Committees and the All India Congress
Committee were highlighted. Thus, this was the other way to link the centre with
periphery. Therefore, Congress played a significant and crucial role in national
integration of India post-independence. However, post the demise of Nehru, the
project of national integration was marred by divisive forces within the Congress
and decline of Congress to a certain extent as compared to it being an “umbrella”
party as described by prominent political scientist Rajni Kothari.

8.4 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU AND SECULARISM

8.4.1 What is Secularism?
One of the most important tenets for nation building and national integration was
secularism. Given India’s history, post the advent of imperial forces which highly
influenced the social fabric of Indian communities, religions and race. Jawaharlal
Nehru being a learned scholar and who was immensely affected by the ideals of
reformation and renaissance emphasised the idea of secularism to deal with
national growth and development holistically. As the history of partition was
exercised, it brought to the fore exodus of Muslims from India with the Hindus
doing the same and settling in Pakistan and India respectively. Besides the arrival
of Hindu refugees in India, the nation also observed significant number of Sikhs
and Christians. Definitely, assimilation was not a solution to secure secularism. It
122
was only possible through integration and accommodation of these varied
communities which manifested different cultures, religion, race etc. Therefore, Jawaharlal Nehru-
Nehru emphasised the Indian Constitution as a major guardian for protection of State, Nation Building
and Secularism
secular rights of the people, especially through the Fundamental Rights that is
enshrined in Part III. Besides this, Nehru constantly vied against any communal
forces through his tenure as the prime minister of India.

8.4.2 Nehru and Secularism

Jawaharlal Nehru was not practically wedded with any kind of dogma or religion.
Secularism in accordance to him was not only a political doctrine, but a social,
revolutionary character that embraced all religions and communities in India into
one. His idea of secularism entailed four core aspects and those were: firstly,
religious freedom which meant which legitimately emphasised that no one shall
be discriminated on the basis of religion. He remarked, “we are building a free
secular state where every religion and belief has full freedom and equal honour
whose every citizen has equal liberty and equal opportunity. (J.L. Nehru-
Independence and after p.36)

Secondly, he emphasised neutrality of the state in religious matters and

deprecated any stance on religious domination of India. He stressed the state to
co-opt a method of peaceful religious co-existence. Thirdly, he argued secularism
in social life that could do away with any religion based regulations to dominate
the society; instead a uniform civil code, without any discrimination based on
religion, caste or tribe. However, he was cautious enough to avoid any
misinterpretation of sentiments pertaining to religion and worked likewise. Lastly,
specific mental attitude of the community at large pertaining secularism would
prove beneficial. Therefore, he emphasised that interests of the minorities are of
utmost importance and if people failed they would end up hurting the secular
sentiments of the nation.

Check Your Progress Exercise 2

Note: i) Use the space given below for your answer.
ii) Check your progress with the model answer given at the end of
the unit.

1. What do you mean by ‘nation-building’?

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123
BLOCK IV 2. What were the major features of Jawaharlal Nehru’s nation-building?
Imaginaries of the
Nation and the World .…………………………………………………………………………...……
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3. Describe Jawaharlal Nehrus’s idea of secularism.

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8.5 LET US SUM UP

Jawaharlal Nehru took over as the first prime minister of India and continued until
his demise in 1964. Partition of India brought along communal issues and
disturbances of unprecedented character especially affecting Bengal and Punjab.
In addition, Indian Constitution and its framing was the other important exercise
that was being done wherein Nehru had a crucial role. His role as the first prime
minister of independent and sovereign India was to cater to development of the
state wherein state building and nation building was highly important. Thus, it
could be argued that Nehru grappled with social, political, economic issues while
he also took care of cultural and regional integration. Further, the integration of
princely states with the Indian Union under the aegis of Nehru and Sardar Patel-
who was the Home Minister then was vital. The Five Year Plans, establishment of
Planning Commission, launching of Community Development Programmes,
expansion of heavy industrial units which furthered the growth of private and
public sectors respectively. Holding of General Elections on the basis of
Universal Adult Franchise in the years 1951-52, 1957 and 1962 were significant
achievements for a newly decolonised nation. Moreover, Nehru’s foreign policies
and Non-Alignment movement too were crucial to highlight India’s identity as a
sovereign state. Perhaps, significant credit goes to Jawaharlal Nehru for bringing
along these developments in short span of time, yet quite effective.

8.6 REFERENCES
 Nehru, J. (Calcutta). The Discovery of India. New Delhi: The Signet Press.

 Nehru, J. (1982). Jawaharlal Nehru: An Autobiography. New Delhi:

Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund.
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  Nehru, J. (1934). Glimpses of World History. New York: Asia Publishing Jawaharlal Nehru-
State, Nation Building
House. and Secularism

 Arya, R. S. (2006). Nehru's Strategy of National Integration. The Indian

Journal of Political Science, 919-926.

 Upreti, B. (2004). Dynamics of National Integration in India : Challeges

and Constraints of a Plural Society. In B. S. Maan, National Integration in
Communal Harmony (p. 59). Patiala: Punjabi University.

 Khan, R. (1995). Political Integration in Federal India. In V. G. Grover,

Indian Government and Politics at Crossroads, 1989-93 (pp. 711-12).
New Delhi: Deep & Deep Publications.

 Pandey, B. C. (2009). Modern Indian Political Thought. New Delhi: Sage

Publications India.

 Pillai, R. (1986). The Political Thought of Jawaharlal Nehru. In K. L.

Thomas Pantham, Political Thought in Modern India (pp. 260-274). New
Delhi: Sage Publications.

 A Project of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund(1957). Selected Works of

Jawaharlal Nehru: Volume 37. New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial
Fund

8.7 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

EXERCISES
Check Your Progress Exercise 1
1. Your answer should highlight the following points:
 State building entails development of state apparatuses, institutional
consolidation
 Building capacities through development and growth in areas such as
state based infrastructures such as educational institutions, public
development institutions, hospitals respectively.

Check Your Progress Exercise 2

1. Your answer should highlight following points:
 Nation building aims at building the identity of the nation through the
state.
 It emphasises on popular belief that national unity leads to politically
stable country.
 The civil society foster social harmony thereby catering to overall
development.
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BLOCK IV 2. Your answer should highlight following points:
Imaginaries of the
Nation and the World  Major features of Nehru’s nation building were -: Making of
Constitution that accommodated all communities, religions, tribe,
caste, race etc.; putting forth parliamentary democracy; federalism;
linguistic reorganisation of states post-independence; democratic
decentralization catering towards Panchayati Raj, party building
initiative.

3. Your answer should highlight following points:

 Nehru’s idea of secularism entailed religious freedom in India, a
neutral state that would not jeopardise with the belief system of the
communities largely, and secular belief to be practised by all citizens
cutting across all religion, race, caste or tribe.

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