The article begins with the great national personality from India, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya, who is notable for his remarkable contributions as an educationist, pioneer, and eloquent rhetorician in the freedom struggle of India. He was given the title of ‘Mahamana’ by Mahatma Gandhi and was granted the status of a ‘Karmayogi’ by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the second President of India.
Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya: A Brief Overview
Celebrated on his birth anniversary, 25th December 1861, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya was born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh, India. He was known for his extensive efforts in the advancement of various domains including education, religion, social service, development of the Hindi language, and other national issues. He also contributed to the nation’s freedom struggle movements, industrial development, and economic and social development throughout his lifetime.
Pt. Malaviya’s Role in the Freedom Struggle
Pt. Malaviya played a significant role in the freedom struggle, maintaining a delicate balance between the Liberals and the Nationalists, between the Moderates and the Extremists. In 1930, when Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Salt Satyagraha and the Civil Disobedience Movement, Pt. Malaviya participated and willingly faced arrest.
Involvement in Congress
His political prowess earned him the position of the President of the Congress committee four times in the years 1909, 1918, 1932, and 1933. In 1933, after the arrest of the president-elect Madan Mohan Malviya, Sengupta was elected as the Congress chief.
Significant Contributions
Pt. Malaviya is mainly credited for his role in abolishing the Indian indenture system, particularly in the Caribbean region. This system was instituted following the abolition of slavery in 1833 and was used to recruit labor for plantation work and rail construction in British colonies. Pt. Malaviya also set up the Ganga Mahasabha in 1905 due to his concern over the British potentially damming the flow of Ganga at Bhimgoda in Haridwar.
Social Reformer and Legislator
Besides being a social reformer, Pt. Malaviya was an accomplished legislator, serving as a member of the Imperial Legislative Council for 11 years from 1909-1920. He was well-known for popularizing the term ‘Satyamev Jayate’, which originated from Mundaka Upanishad and is now the national motto of India. Through his efforts, Devnagri was introduced in British-Indian courts.
Efforts for Hindu-Muslim Unity and Establishment of BHU
Pt. Malaviya greatly contributed to Hindu-Muslim unity through his speeches on communal harmony. Despite facing expulsion from the Brahmin community for his views against caste discrimination and Brahmanical patriarchy, he helped establish the Hindu Mahasabha in 1915 and founded the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916.
Journalistic Endeavours
As a journalist, Pt. Malaviya started a Hindi weekly, Abhyudaya in 1907, turned it into a daily by 1915, and also started a Hindi monthly, Maryada in 1910. In 1909, he established an English daily- Leader and served as the editor of Hindi weekly, the Hindustan, and the Indian Union. In addition, he held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hindustan Times for many years.
Awards and Recognition
Pt. Malaviya passed away on 12th November, 1946, at the age of 84. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was posthumously honored with Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 2014. To further commemorate his life and work, in 2016, the Indian Railways launched the Varanasi-New Delhi Mahamana Express in his honor.