The 158th birth anniversary of Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya was commemorated on December 25, 2019, with the Prime Minister of India leading the tributes. Born in 1861 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh, Malaviya emerged as a leading figure in the Indian independence movement. His contributions went beyond politics, making significant impacts on education, labor rights, and religious unity.
The Works and Contributions of Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya
Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya’s most notable achievement is the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916, one of India’s foremost institutions even today. But his impact did not stop at education. He also played an instrumental role in the abolition of the Indian indenture system particularly in the Caribbean, following the end of slavery in 1833.
Malaviya championed labour rights, fighting against the exploitative indentured labour that were recruited to toil on sugar, cotton and tea plantations, and rail construction projects in British colonies in the West Indies, Africa and South East Asia.
Malaviya and the ‘Satyamev Jayate’
On top of these, Malaviya popularized the term ‘Satyamev Jayate’. Although it originally comes from the Mundaka Upanishad, it is now known as the national motto of India due to his efforts.
He was conferred the title of ‘Mahamana’ by Rabindranath Tagore while the second President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan referred to him as a ‘Karmayogi’.
Revolutionizing the Court System
One of Malviya’s greatest achievements was the introduction of Devnagri in the British-Indian courts. This happened due to Malviya’s persistent efforts with the British government.
| Date of Birth | Notable Achievements | Date of Death |
|---|---|---|
| 25th December 1861 | Founded Banaras Hindu University, Ended Indentured Labour, Popularised ‘Satyamev Jayate’, Introduced Devnagri in Courts | 12th November 1946 |
A Controversial Stance on Caste Discrimination
Malaviya faced expulsion from the Brahmin community due to his outspoken critique of caste discrimination and Brahmanical patriarchy. His commitment to Hindu-Muslim unity was well-known, and he delivered impactful speeches promoting communal harmony.
He helped establish the Hindu Mahasabha (“Great Society of Hindus”) in 1906, uniting diverse Hindu nationalist movements.
Malaviya’s Contribution to Media
His keen consciousness towards public discourse resulted in the launch of his own Hindi-language weekly, the Abhyudaya in 1907. Malaviya also started an English-language daily, the Leader of Allahabad in 1909 and the Hindi monthly the Maryada in 1910.
Altogether, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya is a figure held in high esteem in India. His relentless efforts for India’s independence and development have left an everlasting impact. His commitment to his values was never more evident than when he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2014, India’s highest civilian honor.
