This document provides a critical analysis of the political ideology of Jayaprakash Narayan as a socialist leader in India. It discusses how his views evolved over time from nationalism to Marxism to democratic socialism influenced by Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. While his views on specific issues were sometimes criticized, his integrity and sincerity were never in doubt. The document highlights how JP advocated for radical socio-economic and political change through non-violent means to establish equality and justice for all in India. It analyzes his unique leadership in organizing mass movements and bringing about political change without being affiliated with any political party.

1. 29SHODH, SAMIKSHA AUR MULYANKAN
International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0974-2832, (Print), E-ISSN- 2320-5474, July, 2013 VOL-V * ISSUE -54
Introduction
Jaya Prakash Narayan was a seeker of the
idealsociety,inwhichthegreathumanvaluesofequal-
ity, freedom, peace and brotherhood would be best
realized. For this, he fought throughout his life. His
political and socialist ideas developed through a long
process of evolution. The peculiar character of his
thinking was that he travelled through a long path but
his aim remained the same. In his own words, "I have
been pursuing a single goal, seeking the answer to a
single question: how to make India independent and
help establish a social, economic and political democ-
racy."2
This search made him take and change sev-
eral political ideologies and paths and at last found the
answer in the Gandhian ideas with their dynamic and
revolutionary adaptation. This change or shift in his
ideological position, may be thought as unsteadiness
of his character or attitude, but the fact is that he de-
veloped his whole political and socialist ideas and
movementsinauniformlinewiththeultimateobjectof
radicalchangeinsocio-political,economicconditions
of the country including the change of moral values of
individual.Hereinlieshisgreatnessasasocialistleader
that whatever he thought or preached he tried to dem-
onstrate the same through his own involvement and
activities. He never remained a thinker only, but be-
came a revolutionary in real sense of the term, became
a'Loknayak'.
J.P. started his political journey as an ardent
nationalist,whenhewasjustayoungboy,and freedom
of the country became his ultimate aim of life. This
passionoffreedomultimatelydid not remain confined
only with the achievement of national freedom, rather
embraced the idea of freedom of man from every type
of exploitation.3
Duringhis studies in United States of
America, he became a Marxist. The writings of Marx,
Research Paper - History
July, 2013
CriticalAnalysisofPoliticalIdeologyofJayaparakash
Narayan as a Socialist Leader
* Dr. Rajender Singh
*Deptt.ofHistory, G.M.N.College, AmbalaCantt.
Life of Jayaparakash Narayan is a story of total dedication and service to the cause of common man in India. His
compassionate heart and humanist outlook yearned to see mankind in the state of peace, happiness and brotherhood.
He struggled to achieve the noble ideals of justice, equality and freedom in order to contribute to the cause of social
reconstruction. He was one of the greatest political thinkers that India produced in the 20th century .His life is a journey
of thought and action from Marxism to Socialism. Very often his views on specific national and international issues aroused
sharp reactions and criticisms but his integrity and sincerity was never doubt. 1
A B S T R A C T
Engels and his friends influenced him so much that he
took the Marxian science of revolution as a surer and
quicker road to achieve his goals. M.N. Roy was an-
other personalitywho influenced him on the evolution
of his thought and J.P. had high regard for him, "even
when", he "found it difficult sometimes to agree with
him".4
After coming back from America and being
converted to Marxism, he did not join the CPI for its
anti-nationalist attitude. "break with Marxism though
not with politics, had come during the three weeks fast
atPoona(1952)".5
Since then J.P moved towards democratic
socialism through Gandhian methods equality, and
turned towards Sarvodaya Philosophy. During this
time, the influence of Vinoba Bhave. Here in lies the
greatness of J.P's leadership, a true socialist leader.
Thisloveforthepeople,forced himagaintocomewith
the people and lead them again in the crisis period of
earlyseventies, whenthe whole socio-political system
along with the morality of the people and ethics of
politicalpartiesweretotallydegenerated,andall-round
corruption deteriorated the conditions of people- es-
pecially the poor and the downtrodden. He took the
initiativewithoutaffiliatinghimselftoanyparty,tolead
the countrywhich ultimately ended with the formation
ofthe firstnon-Congress Governmentat the centre, by
the newly formed Janata Party, the supposed protégé
ofJayaPrakash, in 1977.Hereinliestheimportance of
J.P's leadership, that without any support of a political
party or organised group behind him, he could suc-
cessfully lead the country through a peaceful revolu-
tion, to change the Congress ministry at the centre.6
According to him, "there can be no room for dogma-
tismorfundamentalisminMarxistthought."Marxcould
not have ultimate truths, and he onlymade approxima-
tions to them.7
Again man is by nature an enquiring
being, and ever progressing towards the truth, and

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International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0974-2832, (Print), E-ISSN- 2320-5474, July, 2013 VOL-V * ISSUE -54
"the vastly developed store of human knowledge and
vastly greater experience and observation ofcapitalist
society" of the present day, continuously leading us
"far nearer approximations to the truth than Marx."8
This understanding of Marxism and truth, no
doubt, will lead anybody to change his directions ac-
cordingto thechangingsituationofthematerialworld,
and progress towards truth. J.P was always in search
of truth not only for his own salvation, but his main
concern was the people, the poorer section of the so-
ciety.9
J.P thus, as a socialist leader, became a real
leader with sufficient theoretical clarity of mind, full
devotion to his cause ofattaining the goalsoffreedom,
equalityandpeace,establishmentofasocietyofequals-
in all respect, with radical change both internal and
external, socio-economic and political conditions of
the society, he never had in his mind any aspiration to
1. Bharathi, K.S, Encyclopaedia of Eminent Thinkers vol. vii the political thought of Jayaprakash Narayan , P.10, Concept
Publishing Company , New Delhi,1998.
2 Narayan,Jayaprakash , Towards Total Revolution, Vol. I, edited by Brahmanand,P.80-81, Popular Prakashan, Bombay,
1978.
3. Narayan, Jayaprakash, Socialism, Sarvodaya and Democracy (ed.) by Bimla Prasad, p.142-44, Asia Publishing House,
Bombay, 1964.
4. Chatterje, Bhola , Conflict in J.P's Politics,P.28, Ankur Publishing House, New Delhi, 1984.
5. Narayan,Jayaprakash, Socialism, Sarvodaya and Democracy,P. 152.
6. Narayan,Jayaprakash , Towards Total Revolution,Vol, 4 edited by Brahmanand,P.115, Popular Prakashan, Bombay, 1978.
7. Narayan,JayaPrakash,Socialism, Sarvodaya and Democracy.P. 40-41.
8. Ibid., P. 41.
9. Naryan Jayaparkash, Towards Total Revolution ,vol.1 edited by Brahmanand ,P. 80-81, Popular Prakashan , Bombay,
1978.
10. Narayan, Jayaprakash, Socialism, Sarvodaya and Democracy, P. 144-45.
hold state power or party power. His power remained
in the heart of the people, who were so long neglected
andexploitedforwhich,withoutaffiliatinghimselfwith
anyparty,hecouldorganizepeopleforanymovement.
The election of 1977 is a great proof of this, where he
came, organized and made the 'king', the first non-
Congress Ministry at the Centre, but he himself re-
mained outside the power-structure, along with the
people, to whom he was the 'Loknayak.'10
Conclusion:
J.P. advocated Gandhi's path of peace and
love to achieve socialism. He believed in Gandhian
methodofinternalchangeinman.Headvisedthepeople
tofollowsimplicityintheirlife.Accordingtohim,state
cannot force the individuals to live according to this
ideal. Only the Gandhian and Sarodaya principles
showed the way of sharing of wealth, which was the
real and full socialism. He said "Socialism for me was
always a way of life.
R E F E R E N C E