In fact, he considered the emphasis on the ethical idea of the purpose of life in general and politics in particular the “greatest contribution” of Gandhi. And, that is why he knew the quantum of appeal Gandhi had among the people. It is also important to remember that Nehru realised the value of Ahimsa — the cornerstone of Gandhi’s worldview — not just because of his relations with Gandhi, but through his own experience of the people’s agitations. Reflecting on the Kisan movement in Awadh in 1920-21, Nehru wrote, “It is not the masses but we, nurtured in an atmosphere of the West, who talk glibly of the inefficiency of peaceful methods.The masses know the power of Ahimsa.” Nehru
Nehru realised both the strength and weakness of those ‘nurtured in the atmosphere of West’ and the need for such people to ‘discover’ the strengths and weaknesses of India. Writing that famous book just a couple of years before Independence, he was clear that, “It is destined for India to play a leading role in the post-colonial world order… There can be no other option for a wise and great civilisation.”
Let us, for even a moment not forget the fact, that our freedom movement was not merely for political independence. It was a movement for ethical regeneration of society, and worked with a healthy dose of self-criticism. It was motivated by a clear vision of ethical direction, independent India ought to take. This vision was and is known as ‘idea of India’, and is generally attributed to Nehru, but was actually shared by almost all the leaders (including critics of the Congress like BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh), their differences of opinion and sometimes bitter polemics notwithstanding. Those who were opposed to this vision, in fact to the freedom movement as such, are also well-known.
