What Was The Nehru Report?

The Nehru Report (1928): India’s First Attempt at a Constitutional Framework

The Nehru Report, drafted in 1928, was a significant milestone in India’s struggle for self-rule. It was the first attempt by Indian leaders to frame a constitution for India, outlining their vision for a future government. The report was named after its chief architect, Motilal Nehru, and was prepared in response to the Simon Commission, which had been set up by the British to review India’s constitutional progress but did not include any Indian representation. The Nehru Report marked a crucial shift in Indian politics, as it demanded Dominion Status for India while proposing fundamental rights and governance structures.

Background: The Need for a Constitutional Proposal

The British government had promised constitutional reforms in India under the Government of India Act, 1919. However, Indian leaders were dissatisfied with the slow pace of change and the limited nature of self-rule.

1. The Simon Commission and Indian Discontent

  • In 1927, the British government appointed the Simon Commission to review India’s political progress and suggest reforms.
  • The commission did not include a single Indian member, leading to widespread protests with the slogan “Simon Go Back!”
  • Indian leaders, including those in the Indian National Congress and Muslim League, boycotted the commission, demanding that Indians should frame their own constitution.

2. The All Parties Conference (1928)

  • In response to the Simon Commission, Indian leaders convened the All Parties Conference to discuss constitutional reforms.
  • It included representatives from the Congress, Hindu Mahasabha, Muslim League, Liberals, and other political groups.
  • A Committee was appointed to draft a constitution for India, with Motilal Nehru as the chairman. Other members included Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, M.R. Jayakar, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, and Annie Besant.

Key Provisions of the Nehru Report

The Nehru Report, submitted in August 1928, proposed a constitutional framework for India based on Dominion Status within the British Empire. It covered fundamental rights, government structure, and minority protections.

1. Demand for Dominion Status

  • The report demanded Dominion Status for India, meaning India would have self-rule while remaining part of the British Commonwealth, similar to Canada or Australia.
  • This was a shift from the earlier moderate demand for gradual reforms and greater autonomy within British rule.

2. Fundamental Rights

The report outlined several fundamental rights, many of which were later included in the Indian Constitution. These included:

  • Right to free speech and expression
  • Right to equality before law
  • Right to association and assembly
  • Right to religion and cultural freedom
  • Right to a free and fair trial

3. Secular and Federal Structure

  • The report proposed a secular state, meaning that there would be no state religion.
  • It envisioned a federal structure, where powers would be divided between the central government and provincial governments.

4. Equal Rights for Minorities

  • The report assured equal rights and protection for minorities, particularly Muslims.
  • It rejected separate electorates, arguing that they would create divisions among Indians. Instead, it proposed joint electorates with reservation for minorities in legislatures.

5. Universal Adult Suffrage

  • Unlike the British system, which allowed only a few Indians to vote, the Nehru Report recommended universal adult suffrage, granting all adults the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, or gender.

6. Protection of Language and Culture

  • The report emphasized that all linguistic and cultural communities would be free to preserve their identity.
  • Hindi was recommended as the official language, with English continuing as a second language for some time.

7. Parliamentary System

  • The report proposed a parliamentary system of government based on British traditions.
  • The Prime Minister would be the head of government, and the President would be a constitutional figurehead.

8. Complete Independence Not Mentioned

  • Unlike later demands, the Nehru Report did not call for complete independence (Purna Swaraj) but sought self-rule within the British Empire.

Reactions to the Nehru Report

The Nehru Report generated mixed reactions from different political groups in India.

1. The British Government

  • The British rejected the Nehru Report, refusing to grant Dominion Status.
  • The Viceroy, Lord Irwin, did not respond positively to the demands.

2. Indian National Congress

  • Congress leaders initially supported the report, seeing it as a progressive step toward self-rule.
  • However, some radical leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose were unhappy that it did not demand complete independence.

3. The Muslim League

  • The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, opposed the report.
  • Jinnah demanded separate electorates and more safeguards for Muslims, which were rejected in the report.
  • In response, he proposed his Fourteen Points (1929), which later influenced the demand for Pakistan.

4. Hindu Mahasabha and Other Groups

  • The Hindu Mahasabha supported the report but was skeptical about minority protections, fearing they could weaken Hindu interests.

Impact and Significance of the Nehru Report

Though the Nehru Report was ultimately rejected by the British, it played a key role in shaping India’s freedom movement.

1. First Indian Constitutional Effort

  • The Nehru Report was the first serious attempt by Indians to draft their own constitution, rather than accept British-made laws.

2. Shift Towards Complete Independence

  • Since the British ignored the demand for Dominion Status, it convinced many Indian leaders that only complete independence (Purna Swaraj) was the solution.
  • This led to the Lahore Session of Congress in 1929, where Jawaharlal Nehru declared Purna Swaraj as the goal of the freedom struggle.

3. Basis for the Indian Constitution

  • Many principles of the Nehru Report, such as fundamental rights, secularism, universal suffrage, and federalism, were later included in the Indian Constitution of 1950.

4. Strengthening Hindu-Muslim Divide

  • The rejection of separate electorates led to further tensions between the Congress and the Muslim League.
  • Jinnah’s Fourteen Points in 1929 laid the foundation for the eventual demand for Pakistan.

Conclusion

The Nehru Report of 1928 was a landmark moment in India’s constitutional history. It reflected India’s aspiration for self-rule, providing a well-structured political framework based on democracy, secularism, and equal rights. Although it was rejected by both the British and the Muslim League, it had a lasting impact on India’s freedom struggle.

By demanding Dominion Status and drafting a constitution, the Nehru Report paved the way for the eventual demand for complete independence in 1929. Many of its principles became part of the Indian Constitution in 1950, proving its lasting legacy in shaping modern India.

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