By Admin 
Once again the discussion of marriage in the Gandhi-Nehru family has made headlines. Amidst the news of the engagement of Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra’s son Rehan Vadra, an old question has again emerged from the pages of history that in the same family which has openly accepted the personal decisions of Robert Vadra, there was once a marriage in which Indira Gandhi’s father was not present. Was the reason only religion or were there deeper reasons hidden behind it?
Rehan Vadra’s engagement and old question raised
There is intense discussion in political and social circles regarding the engagement of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi and industrialist Robert Vadra’s son Rehan Vadra. After a long relationship of seven years, Rehaan is going to start a new life with his girlfriend Aviva Baig. According to sources, Aviva Baig and her family live in Delhi and there are plans to get engaged in a private ceremony in Rajasthan in early January 2026.
Indira-Firoz’s marriage and Nehru’s absence
When it comes to marriages of the Gandhi family, the marriage of Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi automatically comes into discussion. Jawaharlal Nehru’s absence in this marriage which took place on 26 March 1942 at Anand Bhawan in Allahabad has been a matter of curiosity for a long time. The general belief has been that Nehru did not completely agree with this decision of his daughter.
Was religion the main reason?
According to historians and biographers, Nehru’s opposition was not limited to just one reason. The most important reason is said to be religious difference. Indira Gandhi was from a Hindu family, while Feroze Gandhi came from the Parsi community. Nehru wanted Indira’s marriage to take place in a consanguineous family. At that time, inter-religious marriage was not considered socially comfortable, and the same thought was in Nehru’s mind also.
Objections regarding social background and education
Apart from religion, Nehru also did not like the social and family background of Firoz Gandhi. Nehru felt that Firoz’s background was relatively ordinary and his education was not what he wanted to see in his daughter’s life partner. He wanted Indira’s life to conform to a certain thinking and standard.
What has Pupul Jayakar said?
Famous writer Pupul Jayakar, who has written the biography of Indira Gandhi, has also mentioned this protest in her books. According to him, Nehru was not personally impressed by Firoz Gandhi and that is why he was against this relationship. Although this opposition softened with time, the initial disagreement was quite deep.
Role of Mahatma Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was firm on her decision. Nehru placed a condition that he would approve the marriage only after the consent of Mahatma Gandhi. Indira fulfilled this condition and Mahatma Gandhi supported this marriage. After this Nehru gave permission for the marriage, but personally maintained distance from the event.
Why did Nehru not attend the wedding?
According to historians, Nehru had already opposed this marriage and circumstances did not give him a chance to back down. Apart from this, he was also in jail at that time due to the freedom movement, which further strengthens his absence. Ultimately he accepted the marriage, but did not attend the ceremony.
Also read: Which members of the Gandhi-Vadra family does Aviva Baig follow? See full details of Instagram