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Jawaharlal Nehru's Social Policies

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The impact of Jawaharlal Nehru’s social policies on Indian society
To what extent did Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s social policies with regard to women and religious groups impact Indian society?

Name: Naintara Maira
IB Candidate Number: 000220-0024

Advisors Name: Mrs. Vera Garg
Extended Essay in History Word Count: 3711

American Embassy School
New Delhi, India

Abstract This research consists of to what extent did Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s social policies with regard to women and religious groups impacted Indian society? Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minster, the father of modern India. This paper will outline the conditions and important events impacting the women and religious groups prior …show more content…

“In his presidential address to the Lahore Congress in 1929, Nehru admitted that although he was born a Hindu, he does not know how far he is justified in calling himself one, or speaking on behalf of the Hindus” (Nanda). Although Nehru did not refer to himself as part of one specific religious group he did support others of all religious groups. In 1954, “Nehru had written in his last will and testament: “I do not want any religious ceremonies performed for me after my death. I do not believe in any such ceremonies … My desire to have a handful of my ashes thrown into the Ganga at Allahabad has no religious significance, so far as I am concerned… I have been attracted to the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers in Allahabad ever since my childhood” (Wolpert).
Nehru believed in having what most would refer to as a religious connection to the rivers at Allahabad. He did not believe this to be a religious belief or connection. His belief of religion also impacted Indian society. “Nehru’s view became vital in judging his government’s policies” (Spear). “No Brahmin can receive election today without low caste votes. Caste groupings are in many areas being exploited as ready-made political machines with the result that the massive electorate of mainly illiterate voters has been showing unexpected life” (Spear). This is saying that it was Nehru that championed this. Some could say he helped and others say he did the opposite. …show more content…

It is said on the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi website, “A University stands for humanism. For tolerance, for reason, for the adventure of ideas and for the search of truth. It stands for the onward march of the human race towards even higher objectives. If the Universities discharge their duties adequately, then it is well with the Nation and the People.” These are all the qualities in Nehru that brought him to enforce social policies that were beneficial to all citizens of India. His legacy is carried on till today. “Jawaharlal Nehru can be justifiably considered an architect of modern India. One of the great Indians of the twentieth century, he has been variously described as a democrat, socialist, humanist and visionary, but he was all these and more. Any assessment of his role in the making of independent India would need to take cognisance of his immense stature and extraordinary personality and would, therefore, inevitable be complex and somewhat controversial”

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