• Dr Nishant A.Irudayadason
  Professor of Philosophy and Ethics,
  Jnana-Deepa Institute of
  Philosophy & Theology, Pune.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, in a joint statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi’s recent visit to Austria, emphasised India’s crucial role in Austria’s post-World War II recovery, shining a spotlight on the enduring foreign policy legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehammer remarked, “The situation was difficult; it was difficult to make progress. It was (Austrian) Foreign Minister (Karl) Gruber who contacted Prime Minister Nehru, asking for support in the negotiations to bring them to a positive conclusion. This is what happened. India helped Austria, and the negotiations came to a positive conclusion with the Austrian State Treaty.”

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister from independence in 1947 until his passing in 1964, resided at the historic Teen Murti House in New Delhi. Originally built by the British as a residence for their military commander-in-chief, it became Nehru’s official residence, where he lived with his daughter Indira and grandsons Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi. After Nehru’s death, Teen Murti House was transformed into a museum known as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. It housed artefacts and archives related to India’s independence movement, including Nehru’s personal belongings and correspondence with figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Edwina Mountbatten. However, as of August 14, 2023, the museum was renamed the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library, omitting Nehru’s name from its title. This change reflects a broader trend under the current government, which has also constructed a new building adjacent to Teen Murti House, altering its surroundings and detracting from its historical significance. The move has been criticised for diminishing Nehru’s legacy and attempting to rewrite India’s historical narrative.

Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister left an indelible mark on India’s democratic framework and socio-economic development. Despite challenges such as the Indo-China war of 1962 and the complexities of partition in 1947, Nehru laid the groundwork for a secular, democratic republic that embraced diversity and guaranteed religious freedom—a foundation that continues to shape modern India. However, critics within India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) view Nehru as a figure whose legacy needs to be dismantled. Since coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has frequently criticised Nehru and his descendants, blaming them for contributing to India’s current challenges. Modi’s government has actively sought to redefine India’s historical narrative, often questioning Nehru’s secularism and challenging the policies of his tenure.

The BJP’s approach sharply contrasts with the respect Nehru commands among many Indians and international observers. Nehru’s vision of India as a non-aligned nation, advocating for global peace and cooperation, earned him respect worldwide and laid the foundation for India’s diplomatic stature in the post-colonial era. Modi’s supporters view him as a transformative leader prioritising national security and economic growth. However, critics argue that his government’s policies have undermined India’s secular ethos and eroded institutions built during Nehru’s era. Despite efforts to diminish his legacy, Nehru’s contributions to India’s development are widely acknowledged. His advocacy for education, scientific research, and social welfare initiatives laid the groundwork for India’s progress in the decades following independence. His vision of a pluralistic, inclusive India resonates with many citizens who value the country’s diversity and secular identity. As India navigates its future under Modi’s leadership, the country grapples with questions of identity, historical memory, and the path forward in a rapidly changing global landscape. Nehru’s contributions to India’s democratic ideals and socio-economic progress continue to shape national discourse, serving as a touchstone for understanding India’s past and charting its future course.