NEHRU REPORT 1928: Critical Analysis

The Nehru Report was a proposal put forward by Motilal Nehru and his committee in 1928 in response to
the Simon Commission, which was set up by the British government without any Indian representation. The
purpose of the report was to outline constitutional reforms for India, as well as to articulate the political and
social demands of the Indian National Congress (INC) for self-rule, with the idea of creating a unified,
inclusive framework for India.
The Nehru Report was significant because it was the first major attempt to formulate a constitutional
proposal that was not imposed by the British government but was instead shaped by Indian leaders.
However, it was a subject of significant debate and controversy, both within India and in the context of
British rule.
Positive Aspects of the Nehru Report
Comprehensive Constitutional Framework: The Nehru Report proposed a Dominion Status for India,
which would grant India full autonomy, with a parliamentary form of government. This was a significant
move away from the limited reforms that the British had previously granted India and showed the Indian
leadership's vision of a self-governing nation.
Unity of Indian Society: The report envisioned a secular, inclusive, and democratic nation, where the rights
of all communities were to be protected under the law. It sought to eliminate religious and cultural barriers
and proposed a bicameral legislature to ensure fair representation for all communities.
Universal Suffrage: The report proposed universal adult suffrage (with the right to vote extended to all
men), which was a progressive idea in the colonial context and was aimed at increasing participation in
political processes.
Civil Rights: The report included strong provisions for the protection of fundamental rights, such as
freedom of speech, the right to assembly, and the right to form associations, signaling a commitment to
individual freedoms.
Criticisms of the Nehru Report
Religious and Communal Tensions: One of the most serious criticisms of the Nehru Report was that it did
not address adequately the demands of the Muslim League, which feared the dominance of the Hindu
majority. The report suggested a system of representation based purely on population numbers, which would
have left the Muslim minority underrepresented in the legislature. This was one of the key reasons for the
opposition of Muslim leaders to the report.
Jinnah and other Muslim leaders felt that the safeguards for minorities were insufficient, and their demand
for separate electorates was not addressed. This led to the failure to unite Hindus and Muslims in the broader
cause of Indian self-rule, fueling sectarian divides.
Failure to Address the Needs of Depressed Classes: The Nehru Report did not offer significant provisions
for the upliftment of the Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes), which were a large and underrepresented
part of Indian society. Leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar criticized the report for not providing adequate
safeguards for the lower castes. This lack of attention to social justice was one of the major drawbacks of the
report.
Dominion Status vs. Full Independence: The Nehru Report proposed Dominion Status, which was a step
towards self-governance but did not demand full independence from Britain. This moderate approach was
seen as insufficient by more radical elements within the Indian National Congress, such as Subhas Chandra
Bose and others who wanted complete independence (Purna Swaraj).
This position of Dominion Status was a point of contention, as many Indian nationalists, including those in
the Non-Cooperation Movement, believed that India should demand complete freedom rather than a limited,
subjugated form of self-rule under British imperial control.
Opposition to the Nehru Report: The Nehru Report was not universally accepted by the Congress. The
All-India Muslim League, under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, rejected the report due to its refusal to grant
separate electorates. This rejection further deepened the rift between Hindus and Muslims and paved the
way for the later demand for Pakistan.
Additionally, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal also rejected the report, arguing that it did not go far
enough to demand full independence and that it lacked provisions to safeguard the interests of the working
classes, farmers, and other economically disadvantaged sections of society.
Legacy of the Nehru Report
 The Nehru Report was an important step in India’s constitutional development but also highlighted
the challenges in achieving unity among the diverse social, religious, and political communities.
 It contributed to the eventual rise of the demand for Pakistan. The Muslim League’s rejection of
the Nehru Report led them to demand separate Muslim-majority provinces and eventually, Pakistan.
 The Simon Commission and its exclusion of Indian representation in its composition were
significant catalysts for the report’s creation. In this sense, the report represented an Indian response
to British insensitivity to Indian aspirations.
Conclusion
The Nehru Report remains a key document in the history of India’s struggle for independence. It was an
ambitious attempt to define the future political structure of India. However, its limitations — especially with
regard to the treatment of minority communities and its moderate stance on independence — made it
controversial. The report failed to bridge the gaps between Hindus and Muslims, and its moderate approach
alienated both more radical nationalists and significant sections of the Muslim community. Despite its
shortcomings, the Nehru Report played an important role in shaping Indian political discourse and
highlighting the deep divisions within Indian society at the time.