Cong stalwart, freedom fighter, Bharat Ratna: Key facts about Madan Mohan Malaviya

On the eve of his 153rd birth anniversary, Indian educationist and politician Madan Mohan Malaviya has been awarded the highest award in the country, the Bharat Ratna. Prime Minister Modi, just six months after taking office has done good on his promise given during his Lok Sabha polls where he vowed to bestow this honour on this politician. Malaviya, who is also popularly known as Mahamana, was the President of the Indian National Congress on four occasions: between 1909 – 1910 , 1918 – 1919 , 1930 – 1931 and then again 1932 – 1933. But, he is better known as the founder of Banaras Hindu University- the largest residential university in Asia and one of the largest in the world. He founded the university in 1916 and was its Vice–Chancellor from 1919 to 1938. The Banaras Hindu University, founded by the educationist, is in the PM’s constituency in Varanasi. [caption id=“attachment_2013707” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Malviya with Gandhi. Image courtesy: BHU[/caption] In spite of the more obvious reasons as to why he was given this honour, Madan Mohan Malaviya contributed a lot to India’s reform movement, championing the cause for separate electorates for minorities, eradication of caste barriers in temples, education and was a key leader during the Civil Disobedience and Non Cooperation movements against the British. Apart from being an educationist, he had a  career in journalism as well when in 1909 he founded a very popular and influential newspaper called “The Leader”. Later took on the role of Chairman of the Hindustan Times from 1924 to 1946. He was a highly qualified lawyer, and after starting his practise in Allahabad District Court, he graduated to the Allahabad High Court. He gave up his law practice to further the cause of education and social service in 1911. But he went back on his vow to quit law when 177 freedom fighters were convicted to be hanged in the Chouri-choura case. His efforts got 156 freedom fighters acquitted. He died in 1946, just a year before India got its independence from the British.