Mohabbat and Leadership: A Tale of Two Indias

 

Mohabbat and Leadership: A Tale of Two Indias

When we look at history and the leaders who shaped it, especially in a nation as complex and diverse as India, it becomes essential to rise above superficial narratives often circulated through "WhatsApp University." Doing so reveals striking contrasts between those who led with vision and selflessness, and those who frame leadership through a narrower, more self-serving lens.

Two leaders come to mind. One was at the forefront when India gained independence on August 15, 1947. The other, much later, claimed that India attained “true” independence in 2014.

The first Prime Minister of India, born into privilege and wealth, consciously renounced it all for the sake of the nation. He didn’t just inherit a political legacy; he built a moral one. He donated his personal wealth to the country and took on the enormous task of shaping a new republic with humility and resolve. The power entrusted to him by a grateful people was used not for personal gain but to lay the foundations of a modern, inclusive India. His vision was to see India rise out of poverty and despair into a progressive 21st century. Even in the face of fierce criticism, he did not respond with hate. His leadership was rooted in love for the people, for democracy, and for the idea of India.

While reflecting on this legacy, a few lines came to mind:

Jo log mohabbat karte hain,
Woh nafrat se naata rakhte nahin.
Mohabbat se bulaaye jo bhi unko,
Unhein dard kabhi de sakte nahin.

 

In this context, Mohabbat love goes beyond romantic connotation. It is the kind of profound, selfless emotion that compels individuals to undertake impossible tasks, endure hardships, and make sacrifices that resonate through history. It is this emotion that true leadership is built upon.

In contrast, we see another figure who rose to power in 2014 and proclaimed that only then did India achieve real independence. This narrative redefines not only history but also the values that underpin national service. In this model of leadership, Mohabbat finds no place. Public statements and policy choices make it clear whom this leader chooses to serve and whom to exclude.

True leadership cannot exist without love for the nation, for its people, and the responsibility placed in one’s hands. It is not about dividing and ruling. It is not about rewriting history to serve personal glory. Leadership, at its core, is about serving without expecting personal gain, about being guided by purpose, not ego.

In a time where truth is often obscured by noise, it becomes even more important to remember: the leaders who loved their nation most were the ones who gave the most and expected the least.