Nehru Report

Published on 07 Oct 2025

The Nehru Report holds significance as an early attempt by Indian leaders to draft a constitution for self-governance, reflecting a move against colonial powers rather than consensus-building.

Significance of Nehru Report

• Assertion of Indian Identity: The Nehru Report, drafted by Indian leaders under Motilal Nehru's chairmanship in 1928, asserted Indian aspirations for self-governance, challenging British colonial authority.

• Demand for Dominion Status: The report demanded dominion status for India within the British Commonwealth, indicating a desire for substantial autonomy and an end to direct colonial rule.

• Rejection of Separate Electorates: Unlike the British-supported concept of separate electorates based on religion, the Nehru Report advocated for joint electorates, emphasizing unity among different religious and social groups.

• Call for Fundamental Rights: The report proposed a Bill of Rights, guaranteeing fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and association, challenging colonial policies that suppressed civil liberties.

• Critique of Communal Representation: By rejecting communal representation, the Nehru Report opposed British policies that encouraged religious divisions, aiming to foster national unity among diverse Indian communities.

• Consolidation of Nationalist Movement: The drafting of the Nehru Report involved collaboration among various Indian nationalist groups, consolidating their efforts towards a common goal of self-governance and independence.

• Response to Simon Commission: The timing of the Nehru Report coincided with the Simon Commission's arrival in India, which was perceived as a British attempt to prolong colonial rule. The report served as a nationalist response, asserting Indian demands for constitutional reforms.

• Impact on Subsequent Constitutional Discourses: Although the Nehru Report was not accepted by the British, it laid the groundwork for subsequent constitutional discussions and negotiations, influencing future proposals and shaping the trajectory of India's constitutional development.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Nehru Report Motilal Nehru National movement independence movement freedom struggle self governance Dominion Status British Commonwealth Separate Electorate Fundamental Rights Bill of rights Critique of Communal Representation Nationalist Movement simon commission

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Freedom Struggle