Supriya Shrinate Targets BJP, Says Nehru’s Legacy Still Defines India’s Political Landscape

Shrinate said it would be difficult to imagine today’s political climate without Nehru's imprint, asserting that the expansion of higher education, research institutions, and public-sector undertakings during his tenure laid the groundwork for much of contemporary India’s political and administrative functioning. According to her, without the universities envisioned under Nehru, organisations aligned with the Sangh Parivar would not have been able to push their ideological discourse as effectively.

She argued that the current government’s communication style and its ability to steer parliamentary debates also exist within the framework Nehru championed—one that encouraged robust discussions, established institutional checks, and strengthened the democratic process. Public-sector entities, she added, continue to be leveraged for political narratives even as their origins remain tied to Nehru’s long-term nation-building strategy.

Shrinate remarked that Nehru’s “foresight” was such that more than six decades after his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP still appear unable to detach themselves from the relevance of his legacy. This, she said, reflected the depth of his influence on independent India’s political foundations. Citing past national leaders, she recalled that Mahatma Gandhi and others had called Nehru the “Jewel of India,” underscoring his stature and historic significance.

Her comments add another layer to the long-running political sparring between the Congress and the ruling party, with Nehru’s role in shaping modern India frequently emerging as a point of contention. The exchange also highlights how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary political discourse, underscoring the enduring weight of India’s first Prime Minister in current-day debates.