Home
History-Modern
UPSC-notes

Nehru Report (1928) – UPSC Notes

In response to Lord Birkenhead’s challenge, an All Parties Conference (Feb 1928) appointed a committee under Motilal Nehru to draft a constitution.
Amith

Nehru Report (1928)

Background

  • In response to Lord Birkenhead’s challenge, an All Parties Conference (Feb 1928) appointed a committee under Motilal Nehru to draft a constitution.
  • First Indian attempt to frame a constitutional framework.
  • Members: Motilal Nehru (Chairman), Tej Bahadur Sapru, Subhas Chandra Bose, M.S. Aney, Mangal Singh, Ali Imam, Shuab Qureshi, G.R. Pradhan.
  • Finalized in August 1928.

Key Features of the Nehru Report

  1. Dominion Status – India to have self-governance under the British Crown.
  2. Joint Electorates – Rejected separate electorates, but reserved seats for Muslims where they were a minority.
  3. Linguistic Provinces – Proposed reorganization of states on linguistic basis.
  4. Fundamental Rights (19 in total):
    • Equal rights for women.
    • Right to form unions.
    • Universal Adult Franchise (UAF) (voting rights for all adults).
  5. Parliament Structure:
    • 500-member House of Representatives (5-year term).
    • 200-member Senate (7-year term).
  6. Governor-General:
    • Appointed by the British but paid from Indian revenues.
    • Acts on the advice of an Indian Executive Council responsible to Parliament.
  7. Provincial Autonomy:
    • Provincial councils (5-year term).
    • Governor to act on the advice of a provincial executive council.
  8. Religious & Cultural Protection:
    • Full protection of Muslim culture & religious interests.
    • State completely separate from religion (Secularism).

Communal Responses

1. Muslim League’s Delhi Proposals (1927)

  • Congress and Muslim League initially agreed on these demands:
    • Joint electorates with reserved Muslim seats.
    • 1/3rd Muslim representation in the Central Assembly.
    • Proportional representation in Punjab & Bengal.
    • Creation of three new Muslim-majority provinces (Sindh, Baluchistan, NWFP).

2. Hindu Mahasabha’s Objections

  • Opposed:
    • Creation of new Muslim-majority provinces.
    • Muslim seat reservations in Punjab & Bengal.
    • Demanded a unitary government (centralized power) instead of federalism.

3. Compromises in the Nehru Report

  • Joint electorates everywhere, but Muslim seat reservations only where they were a minority.
  • Sindh to be separated from Bombay only after Dominion Status.
  • Unitary structure proposed (residual powers with Centre).

Jinnah’s Opposition & 14 Points (1929)

  • At the Calcutta All Parties Conference (Dec 1928), Jinnah proposed 3 amendments:
    1. 1/3rd representation for Muslims in the Central Legislature.
    2. Muslim reservations in Punjab & Bengal (till Universal Franchise).
    3. Residual powers to provinces.
  • These demands were rejected, leading Jinnah to separate from Congress and introduce his "14 Points" (March 1929), which became the basis of future Muslim League demands.

Jinnah’s 14 Points – Key Demands

  1. Federal Constitution with provincial autonomy.
  2. No constitutional amendments without state approval.
  3. 1/3rd Muslim representation in the Central Assembly.
  4. Adequate Muslim representation in legislatures, services & self-governing bodies.
  5. Separate electorates for Muslims.
  6. Religious freedom for all.
  7. Protection of Muslim religious, cultural, educational, and linguistic rights.
  8. Sindh to be separated from Bombay.
  9. Constitutional reforms in NWFP & Baluchistan.
  10. No territorial redistribution that affects Muslim majorities.
  11. In any government cabinet, 1/3rd must be Muslims.
  12. No bill/resolution to be passed against the wishes of a 3/4th minority.
  13. Muslims to have equal status in every province.
  14. All laws to protect the interests of Muslims.

Reactions & Impact of the Nehru Report

  • Muslim League & Hindu Mahasabha rejected it.
  • Jinnah and Bose opposed "Dominion Status", demanding Complete Independence.
  • Congress radicals (Nehru & Bose) formed "Independence for India League".
  • British ignored the report, leading to the demand for Purna Swaraj (1929).

Conclusion

The Nehru Report was India's first major constitutional effort, but failed to unite different communities. However, it strengthened the demand for self-rule, leading to the resolution for complete independence in 1929.

This simplified version keeps it concise, easy to understand, and perfect for UPSC revision. Let me know if you need any further refinements! 😊

Post a Comment