The First President of India: Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as the first President of India, an honour that was voted unanimously by the Constituent Assembly of India on 11th December 1946. His tenure as the first President extended from 26 January 1950 until 28 May 1962, marking a significant era in the independent nation's formation. As a prominent political figure and legal scholar, Dr. Prasad played a crucial role in drafting and upholding the Constitution of India and leading the nation during its early years.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884, in Zeradei, a village in Bihar. He belonged to a landed Kayastha family and was a brilliant student who earned his legal degree and a Doctorate in Law from Calcutta University. At the time, he had a successful legal practice at the Calcutta and Patna High Courts.

Nationalist and Political Leader

Prasad became actively involved in the Indian Nationalist movement in his early days. He was drawn to the non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and was imprisoned several times during the struggle for independence. He was later elected President of the Indian National Congress for two terms, from 1934 to 1935, and again from 1939 to 1946.

Role in the Constituent Assembly

Dr. Prasad was elected unanimously as the President of the Constituent Assembly on 11th December 1946. His tenure in this role was marked by his pleasant countenance, patience, and adept handling of the Assembly. He was widely admired for his leadership and diplomatic skills. The Constituent Assembly adopted the newly framed Constitution of India on 26th November 1949, laying down the foundation of the country's governance and ensuring social and economic equality for all citizens.

Conflict with Jawaharlal Nehru

While Dr. Prasad and Jawaharlal Nehru were both instrumental in India's independence, their political outlooks were poles apart. Nehru, a staunch secularist and socialist, believed in the importance of safeguarding minority rights, while Dr. Prasad, a devout Hindu, felt that a Uniform Civil Code was crucial for the unity of the nation. Their disagreement reached its peak during the debate on the Hindu Code Bills, which aimed to modernize family laws and reduce discriminatory practices within Hinduism.

The Hindu Code Bills were presented in the Constituent Assembly by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in October 1947, and Nehru strongly supported the bill to include it in the Constitution. However, Dr. Prasad intervened, arguing that religion was just as important as any other aspect of society and advocating for a Uniform Civil Code for all Indians. This stand led to a heated exchange between the two leaders. Dr. Prasad wrote a letter to Nehru, describing him as unjust and undemocratic. This letter was later shared with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who advised Prasad to keep calm and discuss the matter in the Party's forum.

Despite their differences, Patel and Dr. Prasad's influence in the Congress Party was stronger than Nehru's at that time. The political alliance ensured that Dr. Prasad was elected as the first President of India in 1950. This election was a testament to the respect and trust that the nation had for Dr. Prasad's wisdom and experience.

In conclusion, Dr. Rajendra Prasad stands as a monumental figure in India's history, not only as the first President but also as a key architect in shaping the nation's constitution and guiding it through its early years of independence.