Remembering Jawaharlal Nehru on May 27

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 27 May 2025 The plan to rebuild the Somnath temple and the disagreements among the leaders came just a few years after Junagadh, a princely state, acceded to the Indian Union in 1947. While KM Munshi, was in charge of Somnath temple's construction, Nehru called it an attempt at "Hindu revivalism". "He [Nehru] was very conscious of their vulnerability and insecurities. Hindus and Muslims had been at each other's throats only a couple of years earlier, and Nehru didn't want to polarise communities again and reopen old wounds just when India was settling down. Those were fragile times, and Nehru thought the President didn't have to associate himself with a temple that was destroyed by a Muslim invader hundreds of years ago when Muslims of India had nothing to do with Mahmud of Ghazni," historian Ramchandra Guha wrote. Nehru also didn't want the government to spend any money on the rebuilding of the Somnath temple. He advocated that the reconstruction be funded through public donations rather than state funds, arguing that a secular government shouldn't favour one religion. Courtesy, India Today, January 11, 2024 This is what we call statesmanship and a principled approach to life and politics. The current political dispensation and its leaders can never understand Nehru and his exalted ideals. Nehru had the guts and gumption to argue with the then President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad when the latter wanted to inaugurate the revamped Somnath Temple in 1951. While Prasad went, Nehru refused to go for the inauguration ceremony because he (Nehru) believed that, 'There is nothing more horrifying than stupidity in action.' With these words, Nehru highlighted the destructive consequences that could arise when foolishness was put into motion. Stupidity in action can lead to immense suffering, chaos, and a disregard for rationality and wisdom. It feeds into the perpetuation of erroneous beliefs, oppressive systems, and misguided decisions. May 27 is Jawaharlal Nehru's death anniversary. ----- Nehru's quote serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultivating knowledge and critical thinking to counteract the detrimental effects of ignorance. Nehru believed that our chief defect is that we are more given to talking about things than to doing them. This encapsulates a common flaw in human nature. Nehru points out the tendency we possess to engage in endless discussions, debates, and contemplations about various matters without eventually taking any concrete actions to address them. This serves as a reminder to focus our efforts on achieving tangible outcomes rather than getting entangled in an unproductive cycle of mere talk. Nehru's words implore us to transform our words into actions, emphasizing the significance of proactive and purposeful engagement in order to bring about positive change in the world. Do the leaders of our times follow Nehru's piece of advice? Does a garrulous PM do what he advocates? Nehru rightly stated that, great causes and little men go ill together. This emphasizes the misalignment between the magnitude of important causes and the capabilities of those who fail to grasp or contribute meaningfully to them. It highlights the incompatibility between the profound challenges faced by society and the superficial mindset or limited vision of individuals who do not possess the necessary depth of understanding or commitment. Nehru's words urge us to recognize that significant endeavours demand individuals of substance, vision, and unwavering dedication. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of great causes requires individuals who are willing to rise above personal interests and play a transformative role in shaping a better future. Today's leaders and politicians must mull over this. But are they capable of thinking? This is a Sphinx's poser; a veritable million-dollar question. In these times, when Nehru and Gandhi are at the receiving end of collective hatred, the re-evaluation and reaffirmation of their higher morality and vision can provide new insights. India needs leaders like them. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/remembering-jawaharlal-nehru/d/135681 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism