Jayaprakash Narayan

Introduction

Jayaprakash Narayan was often referred to as "Loknayak" or "JP.'' He was an Indian independence movement activist, theorist, socialist, and political leader.

He was one of Mahatma Gandhi's twelve close associates and served on the front lines of the Indian freedom struggle. JP was a part of the Quit India Movement. He was also a part of the Sarvodaya and JP movements.

Identity of Jayaprakash Narayan

Jayaprakash Narayan, often known as JP Narayan, was an Indian political leader and social reformer who was active during the Indian independence movement and the post-independence period. Jayaprakash Narayan was born to Harsu Dayal and Phul Rani Devi in Sitab Diyara, Bihar on October 11, 1902.

JP Narayan was a senior member of the Indian National Congress and a leader of the 1942 Quit India Movement. He was also a close work partner of Mahatma Gandhi, and his principles of nonviolence and social justice had a significant impact on JP.

JP Narayan appeared as a major voice in the protests against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's policies in the 1970s. He was a significant figure during the Emergency era and was helpful in organizing the opposition to the government. He called for a "Total Revolution" that inspired people all around the country to join the movement for democratic rights and social justice.

Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan's legacy encourages the future generations of Indians. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1965 and the Bharat Ratna in 1999 for Public Affairs.

Jayaprakash Narayan's Background

JP was Harsu Dayal and Phul Rani Devi's fourth child. He left his home when he was just nine years old to attend a tertiary institution in Patna. He resided in Patna's Saraswati Bhawan hostel. Several future leaders of Bihar also resided in this dormitory with JP, including the state's first chief minister, Shri Krishna Singh, his deputy, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, and other notable figures in politics and education.

Jayaprakash Narayan's Education

Jayaprakash Narayan's academic background was diversified. He finished his education in Patna, Bihar.

He attended a lecture on Gandhi's non-cooperation campaign (NCM) against the adoption of the Rowlatt Act in 1919, given by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana pushed students to abandon learning in English. JP took Maulana's advice to heart and left Bihar National College with only 20 days until his exams. Freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan enrolled at Rajendra Prasad's Bihar Vidyapeeth and was an early student of Anugraha Narayan Sinha.

He decided to further his education in the United States after completing his education at the Vidyapeeth. He sailed on the cargo ship Janus at the age of 20 for the United States. He enrolled at Berkeley in 1922.

He worked at several places to earn money to pay for his studies. He worked as a mechanic in a garage and a slaughterhouse, as well as picking and drying grapes, packing fruits in a canning plant, cleaning dishes, as well as teaching.

In each of these positions, he gained knowledge of the hardships faced by the working class. Sociology was one of his favorite subjects. Later, Jayaprakash concluded that Marxism was the most efficient approach to reducing the suffering of the masses. He was an enthusiastic reader. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in behavioral science from Ohio State University and a Master of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin.

JP Narayan's Political Life

Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan was a well-known Indian politician. He played a major role in the country's independence movement and in Indian politics.

JP joined the Indian National Congress (INC) after returning from the United States in 1929 at the recommendation of Jawahar Lal Nehru. He received guidance from Gandhi Ji. He was arrested and imprisoned in Nasik Jail in 1932 for his participation and activities performed by him in the civil disobedience movement against the British government. After he was released, he helped Acharya Narendra Deva establish the Congress Socialist Party (CSP) in 1934. CSP was a left-wing organization inside the INC.

He was appointed as CSP's general secretary. Pt. Nehru invited him to join his cabinet after independence, but he declined. He quit the Congress Party in 1948 and founded the Socialist Party in 1952. His party then combined with J. B. Kripalani's Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party to become the Praja Socialist Party. Between 1947 and 1953, he was President of the All India Railwaymen's Federation. It is the Indian Railways' largest labor union. After India's independence, freedom fighter Jayaprakash chose to focus on social concerns rather than electoral politics.

Communitarianism is a philosophical and social system. It emphasizes the importance of community in figuring out human identity and well-being in political life, as well as in the investigation and criticism of political institutions. In order to maintain and safeguard civil freedoms, he established Citizens for Democracy and the People's Union for Civil Rights as non-governmental organizations (also known as NGOs) in 1974.

The Role of JP Narayan in India Before and After Independence

Loknayak JP Narayan was an important figure in India's pre- and post-independence eras. Here are a few examples of his contributions:

In Pre-Independence Era

• JP Narayan was an active participant in the Indian independence struggle.
• He was a member of the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement, among other things.
• He was put behind bars in 1939 for opposing Indian involvement with the British in World War II. He later managed to flee and attempt to organize armed opposition to the government before he was captured in 1943.
• JP Narayan was arrested and imprisoned for his role in the Quit India Movement in 1942. He was later released in 1946 after spending several years in prison.
• JP Narayan was an enthusiastic promoter of socialist principles and a member of various socialist groups, including the Congress Socialist Party.

In Post-Independence Era

• JP Narayan got engaged in Indian politics after independence. He was a vocal opponent of the Congress party's dominance in Indian politics, and he campaigned to build a multi-party system.
• He joined the Bhoodan Movement in 1954, which aimed to achieve social and economic equality through nonviolent measures. JP Narayan was an important figure in the opposition to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's declaration of Emergency in 1975.

JP Narayan's Death

JP Narayan stepped down from active politics in 1977 after the Janata Party's election victory. He continued on as the party's advisor and participated in social and political events throughout the years to the day he died.

He died at the age of 76 on October 8, 1979. He was suffering from a number of health issues. His death was widely grieved throughout India, with thousands of people paying their last respects to him.

He was recognized as a leader who committed his life to serving the country and its people and whose values and principles continue to inspire future generations of Indians.

Awards & Honors Received By JP Narayan

Loknayak JP Narayan got various honors and awards for his contributions to the nation, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1965. It was given to him in recognition of his innovative efforts to create public awareness.

He was honored with India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna Award, in 1999.

He was honored with the Rashtrabhushan Award, which was given by the FIE Foundation.

Movements Started By JP Narayan

1. What is Total Revolution?

Total Revolution, or 'Sampooran Kranti,' according to Jaya Prakash, is a blend of seven revolutions: political, social, economic, cultural, intellectual, educational, and spiritual.

The revolution's principal goal is to create and bring a change in society while adhering to the Sarvodaya values. He initially proposed the Total Revolution in a speech in 1974, when the country was experiencing widespread unemployment and a scarcity of supplies and important items. JP presented a four-point plan that included implementing Gram Swarajya, putting an end to the current administration, and creating a people's government.

He urged the people of Bihar and all of India to come together and put aside their differences over politics and personal matters. He believed that this revolution would change people's perspectives on culture and society. The Total Revolution movement had a significant influence on Indian politics and society, even though it did not bring forward the completely comprehensive transformation that JP Narayan had hoped for.

2. What is the Sarvodaya Movement?

The Sanskrit phrase "Sarvodaya" means "upliftment of all" in English, and the movement was founded on Gandhian socialism beliefs. Mahatma Gandhi coined the phrase "Sarvodaya" after reading John Ruskin's book "Unto the Last." Gandhi founded the Sarvodaya movement, which was afterward led by Vinoba Bhave and Jayaprakash. Sarvodaya's major characteristics include trusteeship, economic equality, and overall development of all.

Jayaprakash's Sarvodaya believes that society should be free of class and state. Lokniti should take Rajneeti's place in the democratic system, and the system should be a "people's socialism" that guarantees not only independence and equality but also harmony. He has committed his life to the Sarvodaya Movement since 1954 in order to achieve true socialism. One of Sarvodaya's core ideas, in JP's opinion, is that no one should be in a position of power in society.

3. What is the Bihar Movement?

The Jayaprakash Narayan Bihar Movement, often known as the JP Movement, was a popular movement that began in Bihar in 1974. The movement's goal was to make the corrupt Bihar government public. He urged the people of Bihar to stand up and demand their rights from the government.

Bihar Rajya Sangharsh Samiti (ABVP), Samajwadi Yuva Jana Sabha (SYJS), and Bihar Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti (BCSS) carried out the Bihar movement. The campaign was widely supported by many different areas of society, including farmers, workers, and students.