Congress Hails Nehru’s Legacy Amid 6D Attack, Modi Pays Tribute on Death Anniversary

India on Tuesday remembered its first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on his death anniversary, with leaders across the political spectrum paying rich tributes to the architect of modern India. Nehru, who led the country from its independence in 1947 until his death in 1964, continues to be a central figure in India’s political and developmental history.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a brief message on X, stated, “Tributes to our former PM, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary.”

The Congress Party, which Nehru once led, marked the occasion with emotional messages and pointed commentary. Speaking on the sustained efforts to tarnish Nehru’s legacy, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “Today is the 61st death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, who simply refuses to go away in spite of a systematic ‘6D effort’ being made — since 2014 especially — to defame, distort, deny, denigrate, diminish, and demolish him and his legacy.”

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, saluted Nehru’s vision and contributions. “Respectful tributes to India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji on his death anniversary. With the dream of a strong and inclusive India, Nehru ji laid a strong foundation of independent India with his visionary leadership. His contribution to the establishment of social justice, modernity, education, Constitution and democracy is invaluable.”

Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi offered floral tributes at Nehru’s memorial at Shanti Van, while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, also posting on X, described Nehru as the “fearless guardian of democracy” and “creator of modern India”, crediting him with leading India from “zero to the top.”

“The 21st century India cannot be imagined without Nehru’s contribution. He constantly gave the message of ‘unity in diversity’, and remains our source of inspiration,” Kharge added. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, sharing a quote from Nehru — “What we think today and what we do, creates tomorrow's India” — highlighted his focus on science, technology, and institution building. “Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru dreamed of an India that would compete with the modern world. He laid the foundation of dozens of institutions which today form the backbone of our progress,” she said.

From the official Congress handle, the party posted, “On his death anniversary, we honour the nation's first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, whose vision shaped modern India. His ideals of democracy, secularism and scientific temper continue to guide our way forward. Heartfelt tributes to his unmatched legacy and leadership.”

Jairam Ramesh, reflecting deeply on Nehru’s character, said, “He remains a source of inspiration to all committed to an inclusive, liberal, secular India. Democracy was his oxygen, not demagoguery. He was authoritative without being authoritarian — a large-hearted, noble human being with no insecurities to mask with bluffs or brags.”

Ramesh also noted that Nehru’s legacy needs to be reclaimed in the current era, “To reclaim the idea of India that is under assault, we have to reclaim the ideas of Nehru himself. His will, written ten years before his death, was in sparkling prose — poetic and profound.”

As the nation marked the passing of one of its founding fathers, the tributes — both solemn and political — served as a reminder of Nehru’s towering legacy in shaping India's democracy, scientific outlook, and secular ethos.India remembered its first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 61st death anniversary, with leaders across the spectrum paying homage to the architect of modern India.