Bengaluru— The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Tuesday paid rich tributes to India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, recognizing his enduring legacy in India’s independence and nation-building. The floral tribute ceremony was held at the KPCC office in Bengaluru, marking Nehru’s contributions to modern India.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described Nehru’s legacy as “deeply etched and indelible,” underscoring that the foundations laid by Nehru enabled India to emerge today as the fifth-largest economy in the world.
“Pandit Nehru’s vision and intellect laid the groundwork for a modern, secular, and democratic India. His commitment to scientific progress, educational expansion, and industrial growth was unparalleled. He handed over his family’s assets to the nation and dedicated his life to building a self-reliant country,” Siddaramaiah said.
The Chief Minister also credited Nehru with pivotal strides in science and technology, food security, and infrastructure development, pointing to his instrumental role in initiatives that later culminated in the Green Revolution.
In a sharp critique of the RSS and BJP, Siddaramaiah remarked that these organizations “never participated in the freedom struggle” and “aligned with British interests,” yet today, “lecture the country on patriotism.”
“Dr. Ambedkar himself wrote that it was Dange and Veer Savarkar who were responsible for his electoral defeat. Yet, BJP and RSS continue to distort history by blaming Congress for that loss,” he added.
“There is No India Without Nehru”: D.K. Shivakumar
Echoing the Chief Minister’s sentiments, Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar described Nehru as “one of the greatest leaders India has ever seen.”
“Nehru laid the foundation of this nation through the Green Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Educational Revolution. In Karnataka, public sector giants like BHEL, ITI, HAL, ISRO, and BEML stand as monuments to his vision. Nehru had immense faith in Bengaluru long before it became the tech capital of India,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting Nehru’s role in empowering Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, he added:
“It was Nehru who recognized Ambedkar’s brilliance and appointed him as India’s first Law Minister. Our Constitution, national flag, and Five-Year Plans are part of his lasting legacy. India, which once faced severe food shortages, became self-sufficient because of the groundwork laid by Nehru.”
Shivakumar also responded to criticism from the BJP:
“Whatever criticism they level against Congress, we must respond with facts. During Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure, Congress introduced transformative legislations like the Right to Education, Right to Information, Right to Food, MGNREGA, and amendments to the Forest Rights Act.”
He also credited former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with empowering farmers through land reforms and protecting labor rights, noting that “India’s working class and agrarian strength were shaped by Congress governments.”
“Nehru prioritized the states, championed India’s aviation sector, and launched key irrigation and industrial projects. Apart from KGF, the industries that came to Karnataka were largely because of Nehru’s foresight,” Shivakumar emphasized.
The Congress leaders called for a factual public discourse on the nation’s development and urged citizens to remember the foundational role played by Nehru and the Congress Party in shaping modern India. (Source: IANS)
