Madan Mohan Malaviya

Why is in news? PM to release ‘Collected Works of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya’ on 25th December

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was born on December 25, 1861, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

He is known for his contribution to India's education system and his role in the Indian Independence movement.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was given the title of 'Mahamana' or great soul by Mahatma Gandhi, who considered him as an elder brother, by Rabindranath Tagore and the second President of India, Dr S. Radhakrishnan gave him the status of a ‘Karmayogi’.

In 2014, Pandit Malviya was posthumously conferred with Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award.

In 2016, the Indian Railways started the Varanasi-New Delhi Mahamana Express in the leader’s honour.

Major contributions:

He played a key role in the Indian independence struggle against British rule and founded the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916. At the BHU, he served as Vice-Chancellor from 1919 to 1938.

Malaviya was one of the early leaders of the Hindu Mahasabha, and helped found it in 1906. He was a social reformer and a successful legislator, serving as a member of the Imperial Legislative Council for 11 years (1909–20).

He was also one of the founders of Scout and Guide in India.

One of the most famous slogans, 'Satyamev Jayate' was said by Pandit Malviya in the session of 1918 when he was the President of the Indian National Congress.

In the freedom struggle, Malaviya was midway between the Liberals and the Nationalists, the Moderates and the Extremists.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was the President of Indian National Congress for four sessions (1909, 1913, 1919 and 1932).

Pandit Malviya played a big role in the Civil Disobedience and Non-cooperation movement which were led by Mahatma Gandhi.

He was the chairman of Hindustan Times from 1924 to 1946 and he also founded many Hindi and English newspapers, namely: The Leader, Hindustan Dainik, Maryada etc.

Malaviya espoused free and compulsory primary education, opposed the system of indentured labour in the British Empire, and supported the nationalisation of railways.