JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN....
.FROM A MARXIST-SOCIALIST IN 1940s to
SARVODHAYA WORKER AFTER INDEPENDENCE
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JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN
An ardent freedom fighter and a crusader for social reform, Jayaprakash Narayan was popularly known as Loknayak. He was born on October 11, 1902 at Sitabadiara (near Patna) in Bihar. As a student, he maintained a brilliant academic record throughout his academic career. After completing primary schooling in his village, he matriculated from Patna and won a gold medal and a merit scholarship. In 1921, he gave up his studies temporarily to participate in the Non- Cooperation Movement. In 1922, he went to the USA and obtained his Master's degree from Ohio University.
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கவனியுங்கள்!
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Narayan was deeply influenced by Marxist philosophy. After returning to India, he worked for the cause of the workers and joined the communist cell. He advocated the abolition of zamindari and called for the nationalization of heavy industries. Comprehending his socialistic zeal, Nehru urged him to join the Indian National Congress and offered him the charge of its Labour Department. Narayan accepted Nehru's offer. Hereafter, Narayan became actively involved in the freedom struggle. He was jailed for his participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. After being released, he formed the All India Socialist Party. In 1942, Narayan was imprisoned once again for being involved in the Quit India Movement.
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After independence, Narayan faded from active political life. Instead, he continued with his struggle for social reform and joined Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan Movement. In 1975, however, he entered the political mainstream once again—this time to protest against the imposition of national emergency. He supported the movement for restoration of popular rule and was instrumental in the formation of Janata Party. He was jailed and released only in 1977. His efforts yielded results, however, since the Janata Party had a decisive victory over the Congress in the 1977 elections.
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Narayan has to his credit a number of books on social, political and economic problems in India and his name figures among the erudite Indian writers. He breathed his last in 1979.