Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (29 February 1896 – 10 April 1995) was an Indian independence activist and the fourth Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979. He was also the Prime Minister to head the first non-Congress Government of India. After assuming the office, Desai promoted his policies and peace initiatives between Pakistan and India to avoid conflicts, such as Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. For this, he was conferred with the Nishaan-e-Pakistan (Order of Pakistan), the highest civilian award in Pakistan. Desai is the only Indian national to receive this award.
Morarji Desai was born into an Anavil Brahmin family in Bhadeli, Valsad in Bombay Presidency(now in Gujarat). His schooling life of Primary section is in Saurashtra The Kundla School,Savarkundla. It's now actual name is J.V.Modi School.After he joined Bai Ava Bai High School,Valsad. After graduating from Wilson College, Mumbai, he join ed the civil service in Gujarat. Later, he left the service of the British in 1924 and joined the civil disobedience movement against British rule in India in 1930. He spent many years in jail during the freedom struggle and owing to his sharp leadership skills and tough spirit, he became a favourite amongst freedom-fighters and an important leader of the Indian National Congress in Gujarat. When provincial elections were held in 1934 and 1937, Desai was elected and served as the Revenue Minister and Home Minister of the Bombay Presidency.
[edit]Early life
[edit]In government
As Home Minister, Desai outlawed any portrayals of indecency (which included "kissing" scenes) in films and theatrical productions. Being a staunch Gandhian, Desai was socially conservative, pro-business, and in favor of free enterprise reforms, as opposed to Prime MinisterJawaharlal Nehru's socialistic policies.
Before the independence of India, he became Bombay's Home Minister and later was elected as Chief Minister of Bombay State in 1952. The state was a bi-lingual state home to Gujaratis and Marathis. Since the 1956, Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti led a movement for a Marathi-only speaking state ofMaharashtra. A staunch nationalist himself, Desai was opposed to this movement. He demanded that the city of Bombay (now Mumbai) earlier inhabited by Gujarati Kolis and later becoming a Marathi-majority area, be made into a union territory to suite its cosmopolitan nature since it comprised of long-settled citizens spanning several generations from diverse settings across various linguistic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Known for his no-nonsense administration and being an upright minister, he ordered police firing on a group of rampaging rioters of violent demonstration by the Mumbai-unit of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti at Flora Fountain that was targeted at the stock market in Bombay (now Mumbai). The violent demonstrators caused heavy destruction of public property at the vicinity of stock exchange considered as the financial capital, thus he was forced to take this police action. To control the spiraling violence, 105 demonstrators were killed by police in the incident. Most of the Mumbaikars bore the burnt from this violence directed at non-Marathis, but Desai's acumen brought the situation under control in three days. Later Desai decided to move to Delhi becoming Deputy Prime Minister, and the subsequent formation of the present State of Maharashtra, with Bombay (now Mumbai) as its state capital. Flora Fountain was renamed as "Hutatma Chowk" (Martyrs' Square) to commemorate the 105 demostrators killed in the firing.
Rising in Congress leadership, as a fierce nationalistic and anti-corruption leanings, Desai was at odds with Prime Minister Nehru and his allies, and with Nehru's age and health failing, he was considered as a possible contender for the position of Prime Minister. Outflanked in the leadership contest after Nehru's death in 1964 by the Nehruvian Lal Bahadur Shastri, Desai remained content to build support within the ranks.
After the popular anti-corruption movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan and anti-Emergency wave, he was selected by Janata Party as Prime Minister after getting elected from Surat.
[edit]Prime minister
Morarji Desai became the prime minister after the landslide victory of the Janata coalition in 1977. The coalition, later the janata party, was full of personal and policy friction and thus failed to achieve much owing to continuous in-wrangling and much controversy. With no party in leadership of the coalition, rival groups vied to unseat Desai. Controversial trials of prominent Congress leaders, including Indira Gandhi over Emergency-era abuses worsened the fortunes of his administration. Desai worked to improve relations with neighbour and arch-rival Pakistanand restored normal relations with China, for the first time since the 1962 war. He communicated with Zia-ul-Haq and established friendly relations. Diplomatic relations were also re-established with China. His government undid many amendments made to the constitution during emergency and made it difficult for any future government to impose national emergency.
Since India's first nuclear test in 1974, Desai kept India's nuclear reactors stating "they will never be used for atomic bombs, and I will see to it if I can help it. In 1977, the Carter administration sold India, heavy water and uranium for its nuclear reactors but required American on-site inspection of nuclear materials. Desai declined, seeing the American stance as contradictory, in light of its own nuclear arsenal.
[edit]Retirement and death
In 1979, Raj Narain and Charan Singh pulled out of the Janata Party, forcing Desai to resign from office and retire from politics at the age of 83. Desai campaigned for Janata Party in 1980 General Election as a senior politician but did not contest the election himself.
In retirement, he lived in Mumbai, and died at the age of 99. He had been honoured much in his last years as a freedom-fighter of his generation.
Morarji Desai was a strict follower of Mahatma Gandhi's principles and a moralist. He was a vegetarian “both by birth and by conviction.
[edit]Advocate of Urine Therapy
Morarji Desai is most often remembered for his championing of Urine Therapy. He told journalist Khushwant Singh that he was advised to try drinking his own urine when in his 40s to cure piles (haemorrhoids), and he got immediate results. Thereafter he continued the practice and was quite open about it, saying that you should not do anything you would be ashamed of.
[edit]Feud with R&AW
Morarji Desai had described the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India's external intelligence agency, as the praetorian guard of Indira Gandhi and had promised to stop all activities of the R&AW after becoming prime minister. He closed down much of the agency, and reduced its budget and operations. B. Raman, the former head of the Counter-Terrorism Division of R&AW and noted security analyst, reveals that, in an unguarded moment, Morarji Desai indiscreetly told Pakistan's Chief Martial Law Administrator General Zia ul-Haq that his government was well aware of Pakistan's nuclear development.
[edit]Social Service
Morarji Desai was a Gandhian follower, social worker, institution builder and a great reformer. He was the Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith(university established by Mahatma Gandhi). Even during his term as the Prime Minister he used to visit and stay at Vidyapith during the month of October. He lived simply and used to write post cards himself even when he held the office of Prime Minister. Sardar Patel deputed him to conduct meetings of farmers in Kaira district which finally led to the establishment of the Amul Cooperative movement. During his rule, he withdrew intervention in Public Distribution System and rationing shops were literally lost due to cheap sugar and oil available in the market.
[edit]Family
Morarji Desai is survived by his son Kanti Desai, two grandsons Bharat and Jagdeep Desai and four great grand children. The only one of them to hold any political ambition is Madhukeshwar Desai, one of his great grand children, son of Jagdeep Desai, who has taken it upon himself to revive the legacy of his illustrious great grandfather.
Vishaal Desai, son of Bharat Desai, is an aspiring filmmaker and writer.