There is much for us to learn from the “Prince of Beggars”, “Mahamana” (noble hearted) Madan Mohan Malaviya. Most of us remember him as the founder of the Banaras Hindu University, a university which has the fame of being the largest residential university in Asia. But there are a plethora of lesser-known facts about this legendary and outstanding man which needs to be brought to light.  

Madan Mohan Malaviya started his career as a school teacher but left the job soon to become the editor of Hindustan. After completing his LLB, he started practicing law at Allahabad District Court (in the year 1891) and soon emerged as a very successful lawyer. In the course of time, Malaviya gave up his practice and immersed himself fully in the Herculean task of collecting funds for the BHU. Here is a brief sketch of the spectacular man and the exemplary life that he leads.“India belongs to the Hindus, the Mohammedans, the Sikhs, the Parsis and others. No single community can run over the rest. Your hand has five fingers. If you put off the thumb, the power of your hand will be reduced to one-tenth of its original power. Act in such a way that all may unite… Let there be mutual trust.”

These thoughts hold true even almost 75 years after the demise of Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya. All that many of us know about the highly acclaimed politician and educationist is that he was one of the early leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha – a far-right Hindu nationalist organization. However, few know that he was he was not only one of the most liberal and moderate voices in the Mahasabha of his time but also a passionate advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity. In one of his famous speeches on communal harmony, he had said:

"I implore all Hindus and Mussalmans, Sikhs, Christians and Parsees and all other countrymen to sink all communal differences and to establish political unity among all sections of the people. In the midst of much darkness, I see a clear vision that the clouds which have long been hanging over our heads are lifting. Let every son and daughter do his or her duty to expedite the advent of dawn of the day of freedom and happiness. The truth is on our side. Justice is with us. God will help us. We are sure to win. Vande Mataram." (From the presidential address of Pt. Malviya at the INC's Calcutta session, 1933).

Madan Mohan Malaviya, the “karmayogi” (one whose only religion is to work), is still remembered for his inspiring speeches on communal harmony – he gave one of his most memorable speeches in 1922 (in Lahore) and another in 1931 (in Kanpur). History says that Mahamana was opposed to Congress’ participation in the Khilafat Movement as well as to the demand for separate electorates for Muslims under the Lucknow Pact of 1916.

What is more, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was an ardent campaigner for social justice and opposed caste discrimination. He worked until the last day of his life for the abolition of caste barriers in temples and fought for the entry of the so-called untouchables into Hindu temples. Such was the reformist zeal of the man that when 200 Dalit people gathered at the gate of Kalaram Temple in 1936 and demanded entry, he gave them entry after giving them “Diksha” (religious sermon) in front of the priests of the temple.

Madan Mohan Malaviya was also a leading figure of the Indian National Congress. Because of his winsome personality, “Praatah-Smaraneeya” (one who ought to be remembered in the morning) Pandit Ji was elected as the national president of the Congress for four times — in 1909, in 1918, in 1930, and in 1932. 

Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya was not only a successful politician and educationist but also a reputed journalist and is credited with launching the famed Hindi-language weekly, Abhyuday, as well as an influential English daily, The Leader. Saving Hindustan Times from an untimely demise, Malviya acquired it with the help of other national leaders and was its chairman from 1924 to 1946. He launched its Hindi edition too.Few know that the phrase “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth Only Triumphs) from Mundaka Upanishad was popularized by this very man who was rightly given the title, “Mahamana” by Rabindranath Tagore. India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, was conferred on this great man posthumously in the year 2014 – a day before his 153rd Birth Anniversary.