Mahamana as an Educationist

For many years, Mahamana remained occupied with his political activities and it was only in 1911 that he got time to rework on his dream. He revisited his idea of the university and to give it a concrete form he published a pamphlet titled "The Banaras Hindu University: Why it is wanted and what it aims at?” He circulated it widely for seeking donations. He also constituted a Hindu University Society for campaigning and collecting the funds for the university.

On 22nd March, the Banaras Hindu University bill was introduced in the Imperial Legislative Council. On a motion moved by Sir Harcourt Butler, Malaviyaji made an impressive appeal for the establishment of the university. He said:

"The university would be a denominational institution but not a sectarian one. It will not promote narrow sectarianism but a broad liberation of mind and a religious spirit which will promote brotherly feeling between man and man…That this center of light and life, which is coming into existence will produce students who will not only be intellectually equal to the best of their fellow students in other parts of the world, but will also be trained to live noble lives, to love God and to love their country."(Read the full speech here)

The Banaras Hindu University act was passed and began functioning on 1st April 1916. In its twelfth convocation address at B.H.U. on 14th September 1929, Malaviyaji emphasized:

"The Banaras Hindu University is born in this world with a specific objective and a definite mission. It is born to enlighten the world infested with darkness, from the pillars of knowledge and its temples of learning and to reveal before human being the glimpses of the omnipresent and omnipotent God."

Mahamana, as an active politician, has always used the various forums for the promotion of education and for formulation of the policies for quality education. In 1907 while addressing the Provincial Council he appealed to the government to establish quality research institutes and training centers for the promotion of scientific and practical knowledge. He was also a staunch supporter of free and compulsory primary education and emphasised the need for nurturing of the scientific temperament. He supported establishment of Industrial Training Colleges which would impart training in laundry, dye-work, smith-craft, carpentry and goldsmithry etc.