Er. Prabhat Kishore
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was a symbol of nationalism, known for his efficiency, devotion to service, intellectual brilliance, truthfulness, sincerity, and gentleness. He entered public life as Mahatma Gandhi’s associate during the Champaran movement. This pioneering leader of India’s freedom struggle, with the support and cooperation of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, went on to hold the highest offices — President of the Indian National Congress, President of the Constituent Assembly, and later, the first President of the Republic of India for twelve years.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born on 3 December 1884 in Jiradei village of Siwan district, Bihar. After completing his early education in Chhapra and at T.K. Ghosh Academy, Patna, he enrolled for FA at Presidency College, Kolkata, in 1902. He passed his M.A. (Economics) with Honours in 1907, obtained his B.L. degree in 1910, and his M.L. (Master of Law) in 1915 from the University of Kolkata. He thereafter began practicing law in the Calcutta High Court.
Rajendra Babu began his public life in 1905 during the Bang-Bhang movement. He became a member of the All India Congress Committee in 1911. After the establishment of the Patna High Court in 1916, he shifted to Patna and resumed legal practice. Patna offered fewer opportunities for advocacy but greater scope for public service.
At the Lucknow session of the Congress in 1916, a delegation of farmers from Champaran met Mahatma Gandhi and narrated the atrocities committed by indigo planters. Gandhi reached Motihari and personally witnessed the plight of the peasants. He called Rajendra Prasad and other lawyers from Patna to assist in documenting the grievances of the farmers. Statements of nearly 22,000 to 25,000 raiyats were recorded. While the struggle in Champaran aimed at freeing farmers from exploitation, in Gujarat, under the leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel, peasants of Kheda were conducting satyagraha. Rajendra Babu visited Kheda to extend moral support. After nearly two years of sustained agitation, the British indigo planters left Champaran.
In September 1920, Rajendra Prasad gave up his legal practice and devoted himself fully to the service of the nation. To promote the national movement, he started the Hindi weekly Desh and supported the English newspaper Searchlight, both of which significantly strengthened the freedom struggle. During the devastating Bihar earthquake of 15 January 1934, when lakhs of houses collapsed and widespread destruction occurred, the Bihar Central Relief Committee was formed under his chairmanship. With coordinated efforts and relief funds, large-scale rehabilitation work was undertaken. Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Kripalani, and others contributed actively. In recognition of his leadership, he was bestowed the title “Deshratna” by the people.
In 1934, Rajendra Babu was elected President of the Indian National Congress for the first time. Under his leadership, the Golden Jubilee of the Congress was celebrated at the Bombay session in October 1934. He also established the “Deshi Rajya Praja Mandal” in princely states. When Subhas Chandra Bose was re-elected Congress President at the Tripuri session in 1939 amid differences with Gandhi, Bose later resigned. Rajendra Prasad was requested to assume the Congress presidency for a second time.
During the Quit India Movement of 1942, all major leaders were arrested. Rajendra Babu, though unwell, was detained and lodged in Bankipur Jail, Patna. He was released on 15 June 1945 along with other leaders. On 16 February 1946, the British Prime Minister announced the Cabinet Mission, whose members — Pethick Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander — arrived in India on 23 March 1946.
The Cabinet Mission proposed plans on 16 May 1946 for the formation of a Constituent Assembly and on 16 June 1946 for an Interim Government. After acceptance of the proposal, a twelve-member Interim Cabinet under Jawaharlal Nehru was sworn in on 2 September 1946, and Rajendra Prasad was inducted as Minister of Agriculture and Food.
The Constituent Assembly first met on 9 December 1946 in the Central Hall. Rajendra Prasad was later elected its permanent Chairman (President). Following Independence on 15 August 1947, the Assembly assumed sovereign authority. Under his leadership, the Constitution was completed and adopted on 24 January 1950.
There was considerable discussion regarding the first President of independent India. While some supported C. Rajagopalachari, Rajendra Prasad enjoyed overwhelming backing within the Constituent Assembly and the Congress. Ultimately, he was elected unanimously on 24 January 1950 and assumed office as the first President of the Republic of India on 26 January 1950.
After serving two full terms, he retired on 3 May 1962 and returned to Sadaqat Ashram in Patna. He passed away on 28 February 1963.
The constitutional traditions and conventions upheld by Dr. Rajendra Prasad significantly contributed to the stability of the young Republic. Clad in khadi from head to toe, with the simplicity of a village farmer and an air of dignified humility, Rajendra Babu remains a symbol of integrity, restraint, and service to the nation.
(The author is an engineer and academician.)
