The recent observation of the 125th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai has brought his life and influence back into public conversation. Known as a stalwart of the Indian freedom struggle and the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India, Shri Desai’s tenure from 1977 to 79 marked a watershed moment in Indian politics.
The Early Life of Morarji Desai
Shri Morarji Desai was born on 29th February, 1896, in Bhadeli village, now situated in the Bulsar district of Gujarat. His career commenced in 1918 after graduating from the Wilson Civil Service in Bombay. Desai served as a Deputy Collector for an impressive twelve years, shaping his administrative and leadership qualities.
Desai’s Role in the Freedom Struggle
In 1930, during the Civil Disobedience Movement spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi, Desai resigned from his government service, disillusioned with the British sense of justice. His commitment to India’s independence led him to be imprisoned thrice, and he joined the All India Congress Committee in 1931. He contributed to the freedom struggle as the Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee until 1937, and showed significant participation in individual Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi.
Polished Political Career
Post-independence in 1952, Desai became the Chief Minister of Bombay and ascended to the Union Cabinet as Minister for Commerce and Industry in November 1956. Progressive in his roles, he later adopted the Finance portfolio in March 1958. Leaving the Union Cabinet under the Kamaraj Plan in 1963, he served as Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, restructuring the administrative system.
The Kamaraj Plan advocated for senior Congress leaders’ resignation from their posts to devote their energy to revitalizing Congress. Desai dramatically adhered to this when he was arrested and detained in 1975 during the Emergency. He engaged in an indefinite hunger strike supporting the Nav Nirman movement of Gujarat, a socio-political movement against economic crisis and corruption.
Desai as India’s Prime Minister
Shri Desai became the Leader of the Janata Party in Parliament, subsequently being sworn in as the Prime Minister of India on 24th March, 1977. His premiership marked him as the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India, symbolizing a significant political shift.
Desai’s Ideological Stance
Desai championed against inequality and believed in ameliorating the hardships of peasants and tenants through progressive legislation. He firmly supported austerity and enforced financial discipline to curb extravagant living among the privileged section of society. As a proponent of rule of law, he espoused fearlessness among people in calling out wrongdoings, irrespective of the perpetrator’s societal status.
As a strict disciplinarian, Desai viewed truth as an article of faith and not as a mere expediency. His principles were seldom compromised by any exigencies, reflecting his resilience and commitment to his beliefs.
This comprehensive overview of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s life and contributions serves as a reminder of his relentless dedication to India’s freedom struggle and post-independence governance.
