An impressive gathering of youth and students was held at the NPP Headquarters in New Delhi on 123rd Birth Anniversary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and an undaunted Ambassador of peace. In their rich tributes to Shri Nehru, the National Panthers Party described Nehru as an undaunted Ambassador of peace and a great visionary and statesman. His contributions for the formation of Non-Aligned Movement getting the third world closer were praised.The Chief Patron of NPP, Prof. Bhim Singh who is also a Member of the National Integration Council and Chairman of Non-Aligned Congress of Youth while highlighting the unique contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru towards world peace, strengthening of Non-Aligned Movement and raising India’s image among the high profile industrial nations. Embracing Nasser (Egypt), Tito (Yugoslavia) and even China to create NAM was and is a lasting foundation stone for international peace and progress. He felt that Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru also made horrible blunders at some crucial turn-points of history that made the entire nation to suffer. He said that it might be in good faith but Nehru ji’s casting vote in the Congress Working Committee supporting partition of India deserves a serious look by the historians. The NPP Supremo felt that Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s support to Sheikh Abdullah inside the Constituent Assembly to keep Parliament out of the ambit of legislation vis-à-vis Jammu and Kashmir has proved very costly for the entire nation. NPP leader reminded that Nehru ji had several occasions to amend Article 370 empowering Parliament to legislate at least in respect of three subjects, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communications which were expressly inked by Maharaja Hari Singh in the Instrument of Accession, he signed on 26th October, 1947.
Bhim Singh remembered his first confrontation with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963 when he (Bhim Singh) met first Prime Minister of India in Xth Youth Festival in Talkatora Gardens, New Delhi which had hosted the inter-university students meet. J&K University was not invited to the festival. Bhim Singh was a member of delegation of Aligarh Muslim University. The movement Nehru ji finished his speech, Bhim Singh stood up from the crowd and questioned the first Prime Minister of India on his claim that Youth Festival was representing the entire youth of India. When Bhim Singh informed Nehru ji that there is no representative from J&K University and why so? Nehru ji sensing the situation asked Bhim Singh about his home state. Bhim Singh replied quickly, “Yes, Prime Minister I belong to J&K but I am representing Aligarh Muslim University as its student.” Nehru ji quickly called Bhim Singh to the stage and introduced him to Mrs. Indira Gandhi (in salwar and kameej) saying,“Indira ji es larke ko le jao aur samjhao”.Indira ji tried to pacify Bhim Singh telling that Bakshi Ghulam Mohd. was a Himalayan Tiger for India and he must not have got the invitation. Nehru ji gave special treat to Bhim Singh next day when the AMU students’ delegation reached Teen Murti.
Prof. Bhim Singh recollected when a strong delegation of youth from Jammu reached Delhi on 26th May, 1964 to present a memorandum to Jawaharlal Nehru against the government of J&K seeking PM’s intervention to dismiss J&K Govt. Bhim Singh accompanied by M/s. Rashpal Singh, Advocate, Raj Kumar Saigal, Durga Das Abrol, Suresh Anadi, Billu Pandit, A. Magotra and couple of other youth leaders presented a memorandum to Nehru ji on 26th May, 1964 at Teen Murti which was received by Indira ji. The Jammu Youth Leaders led by Bhim Singh set on fast unto death on 26th May itself in front of the Parliament House (north side). “It was most shocking news on 27th May, 1964 while we were sitting on fast, that Nehru ji died.” The flags went half-mast. Shastri ji with other MPs came to appeal to all groups who were sitting on dharna to join the national mourning on the most shocking death of India’s first Prime Minister.
Prof. Bhim Singh called on youth and students of the country to imbibe Nehru’s vision, understanding of the national and international affairs and work for glorifying India’s culture and commitment to peace.