The relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, and the Hindu Mahasabha leader and revolutionary Ashutosh Lahiry was marked by a significant incident that revealed a clash of ideologies and differing approaches to addressing the plight of Bengali refugees during the partition of India.

As documented in Dr. N. B. Khare's book, "My Political Memoirs," Nehru's response to Lahiry's plea for assistance to the refugees provides insights into the complex dynamics of the era. This incident sheds light on Nehru's stance on foreign policy, his handling of the refugee crisis, and the challenges faced by those advocating for the rights of Hindus in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh).

Historical Context and the Plight of Bengali Refugees

To understand the incident between Nehru and Ashutosh Lahiry, it is crucial to examine the historical context of the partition of India and the subsequent refugee crisis.

During the tumultuous period of India's partition, a proposal was put forward by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, to create an independent country comprising Assam and Bengal in the eastern part of India. This proposal, which suggested that this new territory would not join either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan, was discussed by Mountbatten with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Mohammad Ali Jinnah on April 26, 1947.

Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League and the soon-to-be Governor-General of Pakistan expressed his opinion that a divided Bengal, with East Pakistan separate from West Bengal, would be meaningless without the inclusion of Calcutta (now Kolkata). He suggested that a united and independent Bengal would be more favorable and could maintain friendly relations with Pakistan.

However, Hindu leaders such as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, K.C. Neogy, and Binoy Kumar Roy strongly opposed the idea of an independent Bengal. They argued that Hindus would not be safe in a united but independent Bengal, as communal tensions and riots were already causing instability in the region. Both Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress and key figures in the Indian independence movement, assured these Hindu leaders that they were against the idea of a sovereign Bengal separate from the Indian Union.

The partition in 1947 resulted in the mass displacement of millions of people, particularly Hindus who fled from East Pakistan to India due to communal violence and religious persecution. The influx of refugees posed immense challenges for the newly formed Indian government, including the provision of relief and rehabilitation.

The Meeting Between Nehru and Ashutosh Lahiry

The meeting between Nehru and Ashutosh Lahiry, as recounted by Dr. N. B. Khare in his memoirs, reveals an encounter filled with tension and ideological differences.

Amidst the escalating post-Partition riots and growing anti-Partition sentiments, Nehru visited Kolkata (then Calcutta) to address the unrest and attempt to restore peace. During his visit, Ashutosh Lahiry, a leader of the Hindu Mahasabha, along with a delegation of prominent citizens, met Nehru to request military intervention in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to protect the Hindu population.

Lahiry approached Nehru seeking assistance for the suffering Hindu refugees, hoping that the government would take action to alleviate their plight. However, Nehru's response, according to Khare's account, was dismissive and portrayed a lack of willingness to intervene due to East Pakistan being considered a foreign country.

Nehru rejected this suggestion, citing his commitment to Gandhian pacifism and democratic secularism. His refusal to engage in military action to safeguard Hindus led to criticism and ridicule from his opponents, who viewed his stance as misguided and detrimental.

Nehru refused, considering Pakistan as a foreign country, which led to a tense exchange between Lahiry and Nehru. In response to Lahiry's suggestion of forming armed bands to infiltrate East Pakistan and help the Hindus there, Nehru controversially threatened that his army would shoot Lahiry from behind if he pursued such actions. This incident highlighted the differences in perspective between Lahiry, who was willing to take bold and decisive actions, and Nehru, who held a more pacifist and diplomatic approach.

Critics of Nehru often point to this incident as an example of his misconceived Gandhian pacifism and perverted democratic secularism. They argue that Nehru's refusal to take military action to protect the Hindus in East Pakistan, despite the Gallup Poll conducted in Calcutta in March 1950 indicating strong public support for such action, demonstrated a lack of commitment to the safety and welfare of the Hindu community. Nehru's stance also sparked opposition and criticism from Hindu leaders like Ashutosh Lahiry and others who believed that Hindus would not be safe in a united but independent Bengal.

Impact and Legacy of the Incident

The incident between Nehru and Lahiry had broader implications for Indian politics and the treatment of refugees. It highlighted the challenges faced by individuals and organizations advocating for the rights of Hindus in East Pakistan and raised questions about the effectiveness of Nehru's policies in addressing their concerns. The incident also contributed to the existing tensions between the Indian National Congress and the Hindu Mahasabha.

The encounter between Nehru and Ashutosh Lahiry sheds light on a critical episode in Indian history, showcasing the clash of ideologies and differing approaches to addressing the plight of Bengali refugees during the partition of India. Nehru's response, as documented by Dr. N. B. Khare, reveals the complexities of foreign policy, non-interference, and the challenges faced by those advocating for the rights of Hindus. This incident remains a topic of debate and analysis, allowing us to reflect on the decisions made by the Indian government during a time of immense upheaval and the long-lasting impact it had on the refugee crisis and communal relations.

Nehru's Foreign Policy Stance and Controversies

Nehru's response to Lahiry's plea reflects his foreign policy stance, which was focused on maintaining diplomatic relations and non-interference in the affairs of neighboring countries. This approach, known as Nehruvianism, aimed to uphold the principles of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence. However, this policy has faced criticism, particularly in the context of the refugee crisis, as it limited direct intervention and assistance to the affected communities.

In March 1950, a Gallup Poll conducted in Calcutta revealed that 87% of respondents favored military action against East Pakistan. This poll result deeply affected Nehru, and feeling disheartened, he offered to resign from his position as Prime Minister of India. However, before his resignation could be finalized, Liaquat Ali Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, agreed to come to Delhi to discuss the protection of minorities on both sides of the border. This resulted in the signing of the Nehru-Liaquat Pact, aimed at addressing the concerns of minorities in India and Pakistan.

The Nehru-Liaquat Pact faced strong opposition in Calcutta, as it was perceived as a measure that would encourage the migration of Hindus from East Bengal. Many doubted that Hindus would be able to return to their original homes in what was then East Pakistan. This skepticism was fueled by the volatile political climate and the fear of reprisals against the Hindu population.

In this charged atmosphere, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who had already been elected to the Constituent Assembly by the West Bengal Legislature and served as the Minister of Industries in Nehru's Cabinet, took a firm stand against the terms of the Nehru-Liaquat Pact. In protest, he resigned from his ministerial position on April 15, 1950, prioritizing the return to normalcy and safeguarding the interests of Bengal.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's principled opposition to the Nehru-Liaquat Pact and his dedication to protecting the rights and well-being of Hindus in the region earned him admiration among his supporters. His resignation marked a significant moment in the political landscape, highlighting the divergent views and approaches to the challenges of post-Partition India.

In this tumultuous political climate, the preservation of normalcy and the protection of Bengal's interests became significant priorities for leaders like Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. Mukherjee, who had been elected to the Constituent Assembly by the West Bengal Legislature and served as the Industries Minister in Nehru's Cabinet, ultimately resigned in protest against the terms of the Nehru-Liaquat Pact.

Critics of Nehru's leadership argue that his pacifist approach, as demonstrated in his response to Lahiry's plea for military action, and his willingness to make agreements with Pakistan, such as the Nehru-Liaquat Pact, were detrimental to the safety and well-being of Hindus in East Pakistan. They view his actions as a betrayal of the Hindu community and evidence of his misguided priorities, questioning his commitment to protecting the interests of all Indians, particularly in times of crisis and communal violence.

Ashutosh Lahiry

Ashutosh Lahiry, born on 30 June 1892 in Garudah village in Pabna district (now in Bangladesh), had a remarkable journey marked by his involvement in the revolutionary movement and his subsequent association with the Hindu Mahasabha.

His early influences included notable revolutionaries such as M.N. Roy, Bagha Jatin, Yatindra Nath Mukherjee, Narendra Bhattacharya, and Avinash Chandra Chakravarty.

Lahiry actively participated in the revolutionary activities of the time, including the distribution of arms and training young men in bomb-making. However, after the First World War, the British intensified their crackdown on revolutionaries, leading to Lahiry's arrest on 18 May 1915. He was charged with hatching a conspiracy against the government and faced trial, with Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das representing his case. Lahiry was eventually sentenced to ten years in the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, notorious for its inhuman conditions.

During his time in prison, Lahiry came into contact with prominent figures like Bhai Parmananda and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, whose ideologies deeply influenced him. Lahiry endured the harsh treatment inflicted upon him by the jail authorities, and his defiant spirit was evident when he refused to be yoked to the oil mill, receiving 15 lashes of the whip. With each lash, he defiantly cried out "Vande Mataram" (Hail Motherland).

This act of resistance led to his solitary confinement for 11 months, but it also highlighted his unwavering commitment to the cause of India's freedom.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Lahiry and his fellow political prisoners, including Savarkar, managed to establish a substantial library within the Cellular Jail. Lahiry took on the role of reading out books from this library to other inmates, contributing to their intellectual growth and keeping their spirits high. Additionally, he and Bhai Parmananda resorted to violent tactics, such as throwing a European jailor down, as a form of protest against their oppressors.

After serving his term in the Cellular Jail, Lahiry was confined to Alipore Jail for one more year before finally being released in 1923. Following his release, he joined the Hindu Sabha in 1924 and played a significant role in organizing the Bengal Provincial Hindu Sabha's state-level convention in his hometown.

In 1925, when Hindu-Muslim riots erupted in Calcutta, Lahiry led a group of 300 volunteers who provided aid and support to the displaced Hindus from the Pabna region.

Lahiry's revolutionary activities continued, and in 1932, he faced arrest again, this time on charges of conspiring to murder Alfred Henry Watson, the editor of the Statesman daily in Calcutta. Although he was released after two months due to a lack of evidence, Lahiry was soon arrested again under the Bengal Ordinance and spent four years in jail. Despite these challenges, he continued to write articles at the request of Piyush Kulam Ghosh, the editor of Amrit Bazar Patrika, and worked in the editorial department of "Servant," an English newspaper that advocated for India's freedom.

In 1937, Lahiry became the Secretary of the Bengal Provincial Hindu Sabha, and under his leadership, the annual conference of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha was successfully held in Calcutta in 1939. In the same year, he took on the role of editing the Bengali weekly publication "Hindusthan," which continued its publication until 1942. The paper was revived in 1943 with the support of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee but Lahiry later distanced himself from it.

In 1940, Lahiry became the All India Secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha, a position that showcased his leadership abilities and commitment to the party's principles. He played a crucial role in formulating and promoting the party's agenda, which included advocating for the rights and interests of the Hindu community in India.

Lahiry's involvement in the political landscape extended beyond his affiliation with the Hindu Mahasabha. He actively participated in the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting India's constitution. His contributions to the assembly demonstrated his understanding of constitutional matters and his dedication to shaping the future of the country.

Apart from his political engagements, Lahiry was also known for his oratory skills. He possessed the ability to captivate audiences with his eloquent speeches, effectively conveying his ideas and rallying support for his cause. His prowess as an orator made him a respected figure within the Hindu Mahasabha and earned him recognition among his peers.

Furthermore, Lahiry displayed his literary talents through his work as a sub-editor of the daily newspaper "Servant" and as an editor of publications like "Hindusthan" and "Keshari." Through these platforms, he effectively disseminated the party's ideologies, addressing critical issues and shaping public opinion.

Ashutosh Lahiry's journey from being a revolutionary to an influential figure within the Hindu Mahasabha exemplifies his unwavering commitment to the cause of Indian independence. His experiences in jail, exposure to revolutionary thinkers, and subsequent association with the Hindu Mahasabha shaped his political ideology and propelled him into leadership roles.

Despite his imprisonment and hardships, Lahiry's dedication to the nation never wavered. His contributions as a leader, politician, orator, and writer have left a lasting impact on the Indian political landscape. Ashutosh Lahiry's life and journey serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination of those who fought for India's freedom.