Nehru Report 1928: Constitutional Reform, Unity, and Sectarian Challenges in India

Nehru Report: Indians Unite for Constitutional Reforms

Motilal Nehru In response to Indians’ resistance to the Simon Commission, Lord Birkenhead (Secretary of State for India) issued a challenge to Indian nationalists to band together and present an agreed-upon proposal of constitutional reforms. 

Nehru Report: Crafting India’s Constitution Together

• All Party Conference: Moti Lal Nehru stated that the British government will adopt and execute the idea as soon as possible. Indians accepted this challenge, and an All-Party Conference was held in Bombay on May 19, 1928.
• Creating Constitution: A group chaired by Motilal Nehru was formed to create a constitution. This was the Indians’ first significant attempt to construct a constitutional foundation for the country. 
• Member of Nehru Committee: Motilal Nehru was a member of the Nehru Committee (Chairman) Nehru, Jawaharlal (Secretary) Ali Imam’s Bose, Subash Chandra Sapru Madhav T B Aney, Srihari Singh, Mangal Mr Shuaib Qureshi G R Pradhan.

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Nehru Report Provisions: Blueprint for India’s Inclusive Governance

• Dominion Status to India: Dominion status along the lines of self-governing dominions as the system of government wanted by Indians.
• Rejection Of Separate Electorates: Rejection of separate electorates in favour of joint electorates with seats reserved for Muslims at the Centre and in provinces where they were in the minority with the ability to seek extra seats. 
• Main Provision: Linguistic provinces, Nineteen Fundamental rights, include equal rights for women, the freedom to establish unions, and universal adult suffrage. 
• Provision for Assembly: The Indian Parliament at the Centre will consist of a 500-member House of Representatives elected by adult suffrage, and a 200-member Senate elected by provincial councils; the House of Representatives will have a 5-year tenure, and the Senate will have a 7-year tenure.
• Central Government: The central government will be headed by a governor-general appointed by the British government but paid out of Indian revenues, who will act on the advice of the central executive council responsible. 
• Provincial Councils: It will be appointed for a five-year term by a governor acting on the suggestion of the provincial executive council. 
• Protection of Minority and Religion: Full protection for Muslims’ cultural and religious interests; complete separation of the state from religion.

Conclusion

The Nehru Report urged that individuals of India not be infringed upon Fundamental Rights.

The report took its cues from the American Bill of Rights, which served as the cornerstone for the Indian Constitution’s Fundamental Rights.

Unfortunately, the All Party Convention in Calcutta in December 1928 did not approve the Nehru Report. Some sectarian leaders from the Sikh League, Muslim League, and Hindu Mahasabha opposed it.

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