Dear Prime Minister, it is with a mix of hope and concern that I write to you across these decades, as someone who once held the reins of what was then a young nation. India has changed so much since I walked its dusty roads, shared in its celebrations, and listened to its struggles.
I have chosen my birthday to write to you once again to draw your attention to some of the challenges that weighed on my heart during those early days of freedom, which are perhaps more pressing today than ever. As we navigate the complex landscape of our great nation, I feel compelled to address the matter that weighs heavily on my heart — the growing trend of violence in rhetoric as well as action that threatens the very foundations of our democracy and the idea of shared existence.
It is hard for me to believe that a crass phrase like “batenge to katenge” is an election slogan coming from your party.
I beseech you to recall that our freedom movement had two simultaneous aims. While the first one was to get freedom from colonial rule, the second one was to conceive the idea of an inclusive nation amidst all kinds of diversity. That is why the Indian quest was always for discovering unity in diversity. This unity was not just about numerical “oneness”, but an emotional glue which aimed to bring people of diverse faiths, regions and religions under an umbrella called India.
You may recall, as I did, Gandhiji’s words that India could not be held together by force, only by love and understanding. Secularism was, to me, not merely a policy but the spirit of this unity. It meant that every Indian, whatever his or her faith, had an equal claim to the land and its future. I remember the challenge of explaining this principle in Parliament, of assuring every citizen that they could trust the state to be fair, and I ask you to uphold this same faith today. For, if the state wavers in this commitment, it risks eroding that very sense of collective belonging which defines us.
I was often asked why democracy was our chosen path. After all, many said that our people, with little education and long histories of oppression, would struggle with the responsibilities of freedom. Yet, I was convinced that our only path forward was a system that offered every voice a place at the table. To me, democracy was not only a matter of governance but a reflection of our very spirit — a safeguard that allowed our people to rise, speak, and choose freely. I recall the thrill of our first elections, the sight of villagers lining up patiently. It’s my hope that you cherish and protect this legacy. True democracy requires that we listen, even when those voices oppose us. For they, too, are India.
While running the first government of free India, my colleagues and I, whether in my party or the opposition always believed that respecting diversity is crucial for India to maintain its rich cultural fabric and unity. India’s strength lies in its multitude of languages, religions, ethnicities, and traditions. This is one of the eternal truths about India. Embracing this diversity fosters inclusivity, mutual respect, and harmony, which are essential for social cohesion and progress. My own experience during the freedom struggle as well as the head of the council of ministers tells me to reiterate that celebrating differences enhances creativity, innovation, and a greater understanding among communities, ultimately enriching the nation’s identity.
I always held the belief that political parties should not consider winning elections as the only or ultimate goal, but should also respect the soul of India. No goal is worth achieving if it destroys the soul of India, and nothing shall convince me to the contrary.
It is with this spirit that I urge you to consider the implications of the language being used in public discourse, particularly during elections. Words hold immense power; they can unite us or divide us, foster peace or incite conflict. I see people being rewarded for using polarising and divisive language. Such aggressive and intimidating language aimed at some of our own people and communities has created a climate of anger on the one hand and fear on the other. It has turned political dialogue into political assault. No nation that risks alienating vast sections of her populace can claim to foster democracy.
Need I remind you that Gandhi’s dream of an India bound by love and unity clashed with a fervour for division. Bapu fell not to a single bullet but to the poison of hate which led some of the countrymen to see his embrace of all faiths as betrayal. Gandhi’s death should echo in our minds — a warning that we risk losing our soul as a nation when we turn against our own.
In seeing India’s future in education, we did not merely want engineers and scientists. We aspired to foster an intellectual movement that could push our nation forward with rationality and inquiry. Educational institutions were intended to be places where young Indians could dare to dream without barriers of caste, faith, or wealth. “Scientific temper” was more than a phrase; it was a call to banish superstitions, prejudices, and narrow-mindedness. Today, I urge you to renew this commitment.
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We are at a juncture where our collective responsibility is to promote a narrative of inclusivity and mutual understanding. Respectful discourse should flow from the highest echelons of government down to every citizen.
I hope these reflections, from a time long past, may serve as guidance and perhaps a gentle reminder of the India we envisioned. This country is a gift we hold in trust for generations yet to be born. Let us honour that trust, fostering an India that remains strong in its diversity, vibrant in its democracy, and rich in its wisdom.
Warm regards,
Jawaharlal Nehru
First Prime Minister of India
The writer is a Rashtriya Janata Dal Rajya Sabha MP. Views are personal
