Ram Manohar Lohia, a visionary Indian socialist, redefined governance with the Four Pillar State and proposed impactful socio-economic models like New Socialism and Sapta Kranti, leaving a lasting imprint on India’s political landscape.
Introduction
Ram Manohar Lohia, a visionary born in Faizabad in 1910, was not just a scholar but a fervent advocate for change in the socio-political fabric of India. His academic journey led him to a Ph.D. in “Salt and Satyagraha,” profoundly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles.
Lohia ardently championed the decentralization of state power and institutions, a belief instilled in him through his association with the Indian National Congress. Within the Congress, he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Congress Socialist Party in 1934, driven by his dedication to socialist ideals. Lohia was not content with mere adherence to Marxist principles; he sought to Indianize socialism, freeing it from the clutches of international communism. He established Hind Kishan Panchayat after independence for agriculture solutions. He also gave the concept of the Four Pillar State.
Additionally, His cultural initiatives encompassed the organization of a Ramayan Mela, aiming to foster linguistic unity in India, advocating for river cleanliness and protection of pilgrimage sites. He also voiced opposition against the museumization of Adivasis, including the Andamanese, Nicobarese, Todas, etc., and emphasized the cultural integration of the north-east with the rest of the country. As an Internationalist, he championed pacifism, condemned nuclear weapons, protested racial inequality, supported the idea of an Indo-Pak federacy, and envisioned a world without visas and passports, essentially endorsing the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).
While Lohia may have receded from the forefront, his ideas and thoughts continue to resonate in India’s political and intellectual landscape, finding practical applications in various facets such as the economy, religion, society, and politics.
Table of Contents
Political Journey
Lohia’s political journey was marked by his affiliation with various socialist factions. In 1932, he joined the Indian National Congress, later establishing the Congress Socialist Party within the party in 1934. In 1936, he was selected by Jawaharlal Nehru as the first secretary of the foreign department of the congress.
In 1938, Lohia advocated for critical thinking that extended beyond the scope of Congress. He provided “Equidistant theory’ in response to such questions against non-supporting congress. This theory states for equal distance from congress and as well as communists. In June 1940, he was apprehended for delivering speeches opposing war and underwent a two-year imprisonment.
Later after his release he actively participated in the Quit India movement initiated by MK Gandhi in August 1942. Although captured in 1944, Lohia, along with Jayaprakash Narayan, was released on April 11, 1946. Later in the same year he participated in the struggle of Goa. However, in 1948, Lohia, and other Congress Socialist Party members, parted ways with Congress and established the Praja Socialist Party in 1952, alongside Madhu Limaye and Ashoka Mehta, where he served as the general secretary. Around 1951 he also participated in Kogadu Kisan Satyagraha which was Lohia’s first Gandhian movement in Free India.
The Praja Socialist Party emerged from the amalgamation of the Socialist Party with Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party led by JB Kriplani. But internal disputes within the PSP prompted Lohia and Madhu Limaye to exit the party in 1955. Lohia and Nehru, once allies, became political adversaries, engaging in electoral battles. In 1962, a faction of the party evolved into the Samyukta Socialist Party. Lohia joined the party early in 1965 and secured a seat from Kannauj in the 4th Lok Sabha during the general election of 1967. That time he was also the chairman and editor of a famous magazine – “Mankind.” In his political Journey he also gave slogans like “Jati Todo” and “Daam Bandho, Kharcha Bandho”
Important Works/Books
- Fragments of World Mind (1949)
- Wheel of History (1955)
- Will to Power and Other Writings (1956)
- Satyagraha Now (1940) article in Gandhiji’s Newspaper Harijan
- Guilty Men of India’s Partition: (1960)
- India, China, and Northern Frontiers: (1963)
- Marx, Gandhi and Socialism: (1963)
- The Caste System: (1964)
- Interval During Politics: (1965)
- Magazine – Mankind
Concept of Four Pillar State
The concept of a Four Pillar State, as proposed by Ram Manohar Lohia, is a political and administrative framework that emphasizes decentralization and local governance. Lohia, an influential Indian socialist leader, introduced this idea to address issues of governance and representation more effectively. The four pillars in this model represent different levels of administration, ensuring a hierarchical yet interconnected structure that spans from the grassroots to the national level.
Here is a breakdown of the Four Pillar State:
- Village Level (Gram Sabha):
- District Level (Jila Parishad)
- Province/State Level (Rajya Parishad)
- National Level (Rashtriya Parishad)
Lohia’s Four Pillar State aimed to create a more participatory and inclusive governance structure. By empowering local communities and distributing decision-making across multiple levels, the model intended to make governance more responsive to the needs of the people. This decentralization was seen as a way to prevent excessive concentration of power and to foster a sense of community involvement in the democratic process.
While Lohia’s Four Pillar State was not implemented in its entirety, the principles of decentralization and local governance have been influential in shaping discussions on administrative reforms and grassroots democracy in various parts of the world.
Criticism of Western Ideologies
Lohia was not one to blindly adopt Western ideologies. He ardently believed in evolving indigenous models to meet India’s unique needs. While he supported socialism, he critiqued European socialism, advocating for a New Socialism tailored to India’s context. His criticisms extended to Marxism, where he highlighted internal contradictions unsuitable for non-Western countries. Capitalism, too, faced Lohia’s scrutiny, as he questioned its theoretical foundations, considering it a force eroding the essence of humanity.
New Socialism (1959)
In 1952 Pachmarhi Convention, Lohia gave a speech titled, “The doctrine foundations of socialism”, where he quoted that ‘Socialism has lived on the borrowed breath of capitalism or of communism’. In his pursuit of a socio-economic and political framework tailored to India, Lohia conceptualized New Socialism in 1959. This comprehensive system intertwined socialism with Gandhian principles of satyagraha. Lohia envisioned an economic system rooted in small-scale technology and championed political decentralization, emphasizing cooperative labor, small machines, village government, and decentralized planning.
Six Fundamental Tenets of New Socialism
- Establishment of egalitarian standards governing both income and expenditure.
- Promotion of growing economic interdependence.
- Advocacy for a world parliament system based on adult franchise.
- Assurance of democratic freedom, encompassing the right to a private life.
- Adoption of Gandhian techniques of individual and collective civil disobedience.
- Upholding the dignity and rights of the common man.
Although he was highly inspired by Gandhi, his views were quite different in certain areas such as decentralization. He said don’t mistake my idea of decentralization with Gandhian self-sufficient villages. Demands are growing day by day so things must be at a large level. He even propagated for the ban on the English language saying it creates inequality in society.
Sapta Kranti (Seven Revolutions) by Lohia
Lohiya introduced the concept of Sapta Kranti, or Seven Revolutions, as a comprehensive solution to realize the socialist vision in the contemporary global system. This initiative aimed to address the limitations of existing international socialist and communist organizations, which were dominated by white individuals aligned with either the Atlantic or Soviet blocs. Lohiya envisioned an Asian Socialist Forum to counter this influence.
The Sapta Kranti comprised seven key principles: civil disobedience instead of violent revolutions, economic equality, abolition of castes, empowerment of women, national independence, eradication of color discrimination, and individual freedom of thought without coercion from any collective entity. Lohiya positioned himself as the architect of Sapta Kranti, seeking to redefine the socialist movement by placing equal importance on combating sexism, class exploitation, and caste-based injustices. This departure from the Marxist focus on class-centric programs and the Gandhian emphasis on constructive measures against untouchability marked Sapta Kranti as a unique approach.
Lohiya envisioned Sapta Kranti as a catalyst for creating a new world order based on socialism, presenting it as a significant development in the twentieth century. This concept aimed to simultaneously address contemporary global issues within the framework of these seven revolutionary principles.
Important fact –
Yogendra Yadav wrote a book on Lohia titled, “On remembering Lohia.” In this essay he said “opposing the congress was no religion to Lohia” and also cited 3 sins of Lohia – First he attacked Nehru, second was vigorous campaigns against English language and third he questioned upper caste.
Quotes by Lohia
- “Satyagraha without constructive work is like a sentence without a verb.”
- “Live communities do not wait for five years.”
- “Let us unite to restore Hindi to its original glory.”
- “Marxism is the last weapon of Europe against Asia.”
- “The orthodox and organized socialism is a dead doctrine and dying organization.”
- “Inequality in India is not just economic but social too.”
- “Rights to privacy and freedom must be recognized in all spheres but not directly connected to property.”
- “An internal movement between castes and classes, castes loosen into classes and classes crystallize into castes.”
Conclusion
Ram Manohar Lohia emerges as a trailblazer in Indian socialism, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape. Beyond being a scholar and political figure, he embodied a fervent commitment to reshaping India’s socio-political narrative. His journey within the Indian National Congress and subsequent establishment of the Congress Socialist Party showcased his dedication to socialist ideals. Lohia’s groundbreaking concept of the Four Pillar State advocated for decentralized governance, reflecting his vision of a more participatory democracy.
Critiquing Western ideologies, he crafted New Socialism, intertwining socialism with Gandhian principles. Sapta Kranti, with its seven revolutionary principles, exemplifies Lohia’s pioneering spirit, envisioning a new world order rooted in equality and freedom. Lohia’s multifaceted contributions, coupled with his visionary quotes, solidify his legacy as a transformative force in Indian politics and socialist thought.
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