Jaya Prakash Narayan, a trailblazer in Indian socialism, dedicated his life to India’s freedom, social justice, and the holistic vision of true democracy, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape.
Introduction
Jaya Prakash Narayan, affectionately known as J P and Lok Nayak, was a prominent advocate of Indian Socialism, born on October 11, 1902, in Bihar. His academic journey led him to Berkeley University in the United States, where he delved into Marxist discourse.
Upon his return to India in 1929, J P joined the Indian National Congress, aligning himself with Mahatma Gandhi and actively participating in the Indian Independence Movement. In 1932, he faced imprisonment for his involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Following his release, he established the Congress Socialist Party in 1934 within the Congress, with a focus on achieving India’s independence. He also launched an underground movement named, Gorilla Brigade. However, post-Independence, he diverged from the Congress and formed a distinct Socialist Party in opposition. He participated in movements like Nav Nirman Andolan and Bihar Andolan.
Subsequently, J P withdrew from partisan politics and dedicated himself to the Sarvodaya Movement, rooted in Gandhi’s philosophy and spearheaded by Vinoba Bhave. Recognizing his significant contributions to the freedom struggle and the upliftment of the impoverished, he was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1999.
In 1965, J P received the Magsaysay Award for his exemplary public service. His multifaceted journey reflects a life committed to social and political causes, leaving an indelible mark on India’s history. He is regarded as the Psyche Father of Indian Socialism. Ramavriksha Benipuri wrote the Biography of Jayaprakash Narayan.
Table of Contents
Political Journey
JP’s political journey was marked by significant shifts. From joining the Indian National Congress in 1929 to forming the Congress Socialist Party for India’s independence, he later founded the Praja Socialist Party in 1952. Moving away from party politics, he embraced the Sarvodaya Movement, a Gandhian philosophy-led initiative. In 1977, he formed the Janata Party, emphasizing a people-centric approach.
His Major Works
- Nation Building in India
- Prison Diary, 1975 which was published in 1977.
- India: Struggle for Freedom, Political, Social and Economic seeks to understand the complexities of Swaraj.
- Towards Total Revolution (Sampoorna Kranti): India and her Problems published in 1978.
- A plea for reconstruction of Indian Polity (1959)
- From Socialism to Sarvodaya
- Inside Lahore Fort
- Why Socialism? (1936)
- Socialism, Sarvodaya and Democracy
- Forms and thoughts in communal society
- Face to Face
- Communitarian Society and Panchayati Raj (1970)
On Democratic Socialism
In his book, ‘Why Socialism?’ published in 1936, he propagated the idea of democratic socialism. His vision of democracy integrates the principles of Socialism and Social Revolution, promoting a democratic form of Socialism that aligns with Indian Culture. To articulate this, he outlined specific programs through the Congress Socialist Party, aiming to achieve the following objectives:
- Empowerment of the masses with the State taking control and planning the economic development of the country.
- Socialization of means of production, encompassing major industries, banks, and public utilities, alongside the equitable distribution of credits in the unorganized sector.
- Abolition of landlords and distribution of land to peasants for Cooperative Farming.
- Promotion of adult franchise and the elimination of discrimination based on religion, caste, or gender by the State.
Later, in his 1946 article “My Picture of Socialism,” he emphasized additional features:
- Village Panchayats overseeing cooperative farming.
- Community management of large-scale industries.
- Organization of small-scale industries under producers’ cooperation.
- Democratic functioning of the State with a limited role.
He advocated for the ownership of industries by cooperatives and the community, preventing the state from monopolizing industry and employment. His consistent stance included the abolition of the Zamindari system, endorsement of cooperative farming, nationalization of industries, and various land reforms within the framework of an Indian Democratic State. Additionally, he championed the decentralization of power in India’s democracy.
Plan for reconstruction of Indian Polity
While scrutinizing various world constitutions, including the Indian constitution, a primary concern emerged – the escalating concentration of powers at higher government levels. JP, a true democrat, advocated for empowering the people, emphasizing the need to transfer only essential and unavoidable powers.
In his 1959 book, “Plea for the Reconstruction of Indian Polity,” JP passionately argued for reshaping the Indian political structure. He called for replacing the existing parliamentary democracy with a decentralized political economy. JP critiqued the parliamentary system, focusing on the moral and ethical aspects of democracy, countering the materialistic approach of Western parliamentary systems.
JP’s vision for reconstructing Indian polity rested on a decentralized, participatory, and grassroots-oriented Panchayati Raj model. In contrast to the four-tier government model proposed by Ram Manohar Lohia, JP expanded it to five levels in his vision: village, block, district, provincial, and central. His emphasis was on revitalizing and strengthening the Panchayati Raj system for a more decentralized governance structure.
On Sarvodaya
JP’s concept of Sarvodaya is rooted in the integration of participative democracy and socialism regarded as Jeevandani. Socially, Sarvodaya envisions an inclusive and egalitarian community, while politically, it advocates for decentralized democracy, a concept JP referred to as “Panchayati Raj” and “Swaraj from below.” Drawing from Gandhi’s idea of Sarvodaya, JP developed the notion of true socialism, emphasizing upliftment and welfare for all. This approach seeks to eliminate clashes of interest among different classes, fostering the idea of class cooperation championed by Gandhi. According to JP there are three dimensions of sarvodaya – Social, Political and economic. JP aimed to replace the politics of power with the politics of cooperation, promoting a collaborative and harmonious societal framework.
On Total Revolution
During the Bihar Movement in the early and mid-1970s, focused on combating corruption and authoritarianism, Jaya Prakash Narayan introduced the concept of Sampoorna Kranti or Total Revolution. The word “Total Revolution” was first used in British magazine, The time in 1969. This initiative aimed at instigating fundamental transformations across the electoral, administrative, economic, social, political, and educational systems of the country.
Although the original idea of total revolution was formulated by Vinoba Bhave, Jaya Prakash Narayan expanded upon it, incorporating essential elements of socio-economic and political dimensions. JP’s call for revolution stemmed from the increasing authoritarianism in the functioning of the government machinery under Indira Gandhi. This evolved into a protest movement against her government. At that time against the emergency he protested and recited a famous poem by Ramdhari Dinkar, “Singhasan Khaali Karo, Janta Aati Hai.” During his address in Patna on June 5, 1974, Jaya Prakash Narayan declared it as not just a movement for the dissolution of the assembly but a revolution, a total revolution. The intensity of this call heightened when the emergency was declared in 1975.
As the movement gained momentum, JP sought to transform various aspects of society. In a letter to a friend in August 1976, he defined the character of total revolution as permanent, constantly changing personal and social lives. Total revolution, according to JP, would continue relentlessly, adapting its forms, programs, and processes according to the evolving situation. JP perceived a political and economic upheaval in the country, with power concentrated in a few hands, and he aimed to introduce decentralization.
JP’s Social Revolution aimed at empowering peasants, workers, Harijans, tribal people, and all weaker sections of society within India’s democratic system. Rural evolution, a key component, involved people participating in the decision-making process, holding electoral representatives accountable, and introducing reforms to curb the influence of black money in elections.
JP submitted a People’s Charter to Parliament on March 6, 1975, advocating for the establishment of people’s committees at the grassroots level to address local issues and promote development. His Antyodaya program was a crucial aspect of his socialist thought, emphasizing the upliftment of the poorest. On March 21, 1977, JP stressed the importance of considering the impact on the poorest when making decisions. The Right to Work was integral to his vision, and he advocated for reforms such as eliminating the dowry system, improving conditions for Harijans, and abolishing the caste-based reservation system.
JP envisioned an ideal state in 1977 as a community where individuals dedicated themselves to serving the weak, valuing humanity, and respecting the right of every individual to act according to their conscience. His dream was of a free, progressive, and Gandhian India. His vision sought to shape India into a genuine democracy characterized by federal participation, equity, and prosperity on the global stage.
The core of his Total Revolution comprises Seven Revolutions:
- Social Revolution
- Economic Revolution
- Political Revolution
- Cultural Revolution
- Ideological and Intellectual Revolution
- Educational Revolution
- Spiritual Revolution
His doctrine of Total Revolution goes beyond restructuring the social and economic order; it also entails a moral and spiritual rebirth for the Indian people. In essence, Jaya Prakash Narayan’s vision was to bring about comprehensive and holistic changes that would not only address immediate issues but also contribute to the ethical and spiritual upliftment of the nation.
On True Democracy
In his vision of genuine democracy, Jaya Prakash Narayan advocated for a novel structure and approach in Indian politics, prioritizing Lokniti (Politics of the people) over Rajniti (Politics of power), and emphasizing Lokshakti (Power of the people) over Rajshakti (Power of the state).
He argued that a true democracy, according to his perspective, should embody the spirit of cooperation and strive towards the goal of social justice. J P proposed a model of true democracy based on Partyless Democracy, which would implement a socialist program rooted in Sarvodaya.
The political structure in this envisioned true democracy would consist of a three-tiered system of Local Self-Government:
- Gram Sabha (Comprising adults from villages and towns)
- Panchayat Samiti (Bloc Committee)
- Zila Parishad (District Council)
In J P’s model, there was no room for political parties, as he believed they contributed to the fragmentation of communities by generating conflicts on social, economic, and political fronts. His emphasis on a partyless system aimed to foster a more cohesive and cooperative political environment, aligned with the principles of Sarvodaya and social justice.
Famous Quotes by Jaya Prakash Narayan
- “My Interest is not in the capture of power but in the control of power by the people”.
- “The greatest obstacles in the way of a speedy and decisive advance of socialism in India is Nehru”
- “The struggle of Indian masses for freedom will not reach its objective unless the working class is the vanguard of that struggle.”
- Third world countries must struggle to solve economic, social, political and cultural problems all at the same time to attain the level of development.”
- “Corruption is eating into the vitals of our political life.”
- “If you really care for freedom, liberty, there cannot be any democracy or liberal institutions without politics. The only true antidote to the perversions of politics is more politics and better politics. Not negation of politics. “
- “True politics about promotion of human happiness. “
- “Democracy cannot be made secure and strong without peace .Peace and democracy are the two sides of the coin neither of them can survive without the other.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jaya Prakash Narayan, fondly known as J P and Lok Nayak, emerges as a trailblazer in Indian socialism, leaving an enduring legacy in the nation’s political landscape. His journey from active participation in the Indian Independence Movement to the formulation of the Congress Socialist Party showcased his dedication to India’s freedom. His later endeavors, including the Sarvodaya Movement and the conceptualization of true democracy, reflected his deep commitment to social justice and participatory governance.
J P’s vision of Total Revolution underscored his holistic approach, seeking not only socio-economic change but also moral and spiritual rejuvenation. His quotes echo a profound belief in people-centric politics, emphasizing democracy, liberty, and the inseparable link between peace and democratic strength. Jaya Prakash Narayan’s multifaceted contributions continue to inspire and shape India’s socio-political discourse.
Read More:
