The Indian Prime Minister recently paid tribute to Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya on his 159th birth anniversary (25th December, 2020). Malaviya was a distinguished leader who significantly contributed to the Indian freedom struggle, and social and economic development of India.
Birth and Early Life
Madan Mohan Malaviya was born on 25th December 1861, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh. He was a fervent educationist, pioneer, eloquent speaker and a national leader. Throughout his life, he remained actively involved in a myriad of activities ranging from taking part in freedom struggle movements, promoting industries, advocating for the economic and social development of the country, to becoming a notable figure in education, religion, and social service. He also heavily emphasized on the development of the Hindi language.
Status and Title
Malaviya was given the title of ‘Mahamana’ by Mahatma Gandhi. The second President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, commended him as a ‘Karmayogi’.
Role in Indian Freedom Struggle
During the freedom struggle, Malaviya played an active role. He positioned himself between the Liberals and the Nationalists, the Moderates and the Extremists, as followers of Gokhale and Tilak respectively called themselves. In 1930, when Mahatma Gandhi launched the Salt Satyagraha and the Civil Disobedience Movement, Malaviya participated and was subsequently arrested.
Role in Congress
Madan Mohan Malaviya had been elected as the President of the Congress committee four times – in 1909, 1918, 1932 and 1933.
Major Contributions
Malaviya is most remembered for his role in ending the Indian indenture system, especially in the Caribbean. Furthermore, fearing that the British might completely dam the flow of Ganga at Bhimgoda in Haridwar, he set up the Ganga Mahasabha in 1905.
Social Reformer and Legislator
As a social reformer and an effective legislator, Malaviya served as a member of the Imperial Legislative Council for 11 years from 1909 to 1920. He popularized the term ‘Satyamev Jayate’, which became the national motto of India. Furthermore, due to his efforts with the British government, Devnagri was introduced in the British-Indian courts. He worked intensely for Hindu-Muslim unity and was known for his speeches on communal harmony. In spite of being expelled from the Brahmin community for expressing views on caste discrimination and Brahmanical patriarchy, he went ahead to form the Hindu Mahasabha (“Great Society of Hindus”) in 1915. He also founded the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916.
Career as a Journalist
As a journalist, he made notable contributions by starting a Hindi weekly, Abhyudaya in 1907 and converted it into a daily in 1915. He started another Hindi monthly, Maryada in 1910, and an English daily Leader in 1909. He served as the editor of the Hindi weekly, Hindustan and Indian Union and was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hindustan Times for several years.
Death
After leading a purposeful life, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya passed away on 12th November, 1946, at the age of 84.
Awards and Honours
In recognition of his significant contributions, Malaviya was posthumously conferred with Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, in 2014. In 2016, the Indian Railways started the Varanasi-New Delhi Mahamana Express as a tribute to him.