Jawahar lal Nehru, Flawed legacy of a patriot!

“By education I am an Englishman, by views an internationalist, by culture a Muslim,& a Hindu only by accident of birth."
- Nehru

For such a man to continue using the honoric 'Pandit' with his name to denote his brahaminical lineage is hypocritical as was most of his conduct in office. On one hand he could be generous with subordinates once he was convinced of their loyalty, on the other he could be petty, vindictive & tantrum throwing with someone he felt threatened by - Look at his conduct with Sardar patel & Rajaji.

As we celebrate the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Jawaharlal Nehru, important that we dispassionately analyse legacy of PM Nehru.

Important to know why all leftist / durbari historians gang up to defend Nehru, much more than any member of dynasty (Indira, Rajiv). 

At the core, the dynasty milks the still remaining affection for freedom fighter Nehru, although almost all his policies were disastrous.

Just take 3 examples -

a) Nehru stifling free speech by carving out many exceptions;

b) Nehru's Fabian socialism;

c) dynastic succession.

If we look at it, all of Indira G's excess during 1970s' can be legitimately argued to be logical outcomes of Nehru's "original sins."

Emergency a logical extreme of Nehru stifling free speech ; Indian economic story going bust a logical outcome of Nehru's socialism..

Perpetuating dynasty to son, wife of son, and so on, a logical outcome of Nehru letting Indira become Congress President in 1959.

In 60s, many E Asian countries ditched socialism. In 70s China followed. India started in 80s, but really in '91. Nehru dynasty responsible. Indira clung on to socialism, not even out of conviction - but simply for power. She is the individual most responsible for Indians' misery.

From late 60s to early 80s - an entire generation almost, was unnecessarily wasted. Millions of kids stunted, under-fed, under-educated.

I do think Nehru was a patriot - but his love for India was abstract. He very much had contempt for ordinary Indians. Communist China/Russia employed "jhatka", Indira and the dynasts have employed "halal". Like the burning frog one does not notice it.

There is plenty of material of material of support his fights with Sardar patel even calling him communal.. Read biography of MKK Nair..Some excerpts..

“The difference of opinion between Nehru and Patel explains Nehru’s personal animosity towards Patel. An incident that I heard of is illustrative of the personal grudge that Nehru, the great leader, displayed. The very day Patel died in Bombay, Nehru sent two notes, which, incidentally, were routed through V P Menon to the State Affairs Ministry: the first one was to surrender the Cadillac car used by Patel to the Foreign Affairs Ministry; and the second note was that, in case anyone wished to attend the funeral ceremony of Patel they should do so at their own expense. When he received the second note, V P Menon summoned all the concerned officers to his Ministry and, without disclosing the contents of note, collected the names of the officers, who wished to attend the function, and bought them two-way tickets to Bombay at his own personal expense. When Nehru heard of this, he was furious.”

Legacy of Nehru dynasty's rule is that there are millions of Indians who have no basic amenities and dignity of life.