He was a leader who did not celebrate his birthday. His birthday, March 23, is a memorable date of the freedom struggle. Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were sacrificed on this day in 1931. From then onwards, for Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia throughout his life, this date became not a personal celebration but an occasion for introspection and remembrance of the immortal sacrifices. In Indian politics, Lohia is remembered as a very strong and vocal leader from the ideological point of view. There is no party or group about which Lohia has not spoken or written. Despite losing the elections to Pandit Nehru, he became a challenge for the Congress.
From Shiva, Ram, Krishna to Draupadi. Communalism, language, poverty, unemployment, everything. He lived to be only 57 years old. But their struggle that started before independence did not stop even after independence. He was a strong voice of opposition and dissent. As a pioneer of non-Congressism, he fought a fierce battle against social inequality. He did not acquire any material wealth in his life but left behind a huge ideological capital, for which he is remembered even today.
Not just a politician, but also a profound thinker
In politics, Dr. Lohia created his place not just as a leader but as a creator of ideological tradition. He was one of those rare people who directly attacked inertia, stupidity and rotten traditions and customs. For this he was not afraid of power. Didn’t care about society’s opposition. Ignored the indignation of political colleagues. With the attainment of independence, power changed. But Lohia considered it inadequate.
Ram Manohar Lohia.
He said that both power and society will have to change, nothing will be achieved by merely changing the government. This establishment of Lohia is relevant even today because despite the change of governments from election to election, those changes which were necessary for the betterment of the country and society could not come.
deep respect for revolutionaries
Lohia fought for independence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. His role in the British Quit India Movement of 1942 was very exciting. But Lohia, who was following a non-violent path, had deep respect and honor for the revolutionary stream of struggle and those who made sacrifices in it. The memory of 23 March 1931, the day the barbaric British government hanged Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, was always recorded in Lohia’s mind and heart.
This sacrifice made him distressed on one hand and on the other hand he was so determined that he forgot forever the celebrations and happiness of his birthday falling on the same day. The date of martyrs’ sacrifice was for Lohia the point of consciousness where revolution and ideas meet each other. He gave stability to this memory through introspection and brainstorming and amidst the unwavering loyalty in democracy, he reminded especially the young generation and the conscious voters that living communities do not wait for five years. In reality, this famous statement of Lohia is not just a call for change of power, but a call for mass activism – which matches the revolutionary consciousness of Bhagat Singh and his comrades.
Pandit Nehru.
If I can’t cross the mountain, I will crack it.
Lohia, who followed Gandhi in the freedom struggle, soon became disillusioned with Congress and Pandit Nehru in independent India. While in opposition, he directly challenged Pandit Nehru at a time when he was at the peak of popularity. Congress was dominant in the first three Lok Sabha elections. The opposition was quite weak in terms of numbers and public support. But Lohia was not worried about the electoral defeat.
He considered opposition to the wrong policies of the government as the religion of opposition and remaining silent or neutral as a crime. The proof of the big thinking with which he opposed was the 1962 Lok Sabha elections of Phulpur, in which Lohia was in the fray against Nehru. Then Lohia had said, “I know that I am in front of a mountain. I may not be able to cross it, but I will definitely crack it.”
Lohia lost this election by a huge margin. But within a span of just five years, Lohia’s campaign of non-Congressism had shaken the Congress. In 1967, Congress once again regained power at the Centre. But non-Congress coalition governments were formed in 9 states. It was Lohia’s charisma that the Communists and Jana Sangh, who were staunch opponents of each other, were included in these governments.
Attack on narrow-mindedness but deep faith in Indian culture
He was a strong advocate of equality between men and women. He gave preference to Draupadi over Savitri. He also tried to understand myths and religious symbols from a modern perspective. He continuously attacked the narrow-mindedness and stereotypes of religion and society. But the same Lohia had immense faith in Indian culture. He says, “Mother India, give us the mind of Shiva. Give us the heart of Krishna and the deeds and words of Ram.
He believed that the ancient ideals of Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram and the three-point ideals of the modern world of socialism, freedom and non-violence would have to be kept in such a form that they could replace each other. In his view, Ram is a symbol of dignity, Krishna of cleverness, and Draupadi is a symbol of resistance. But Lohia connects these characters not only in terms of religious faith, but with the socio-political governments of his time. Today, when the relationship between religion and politics has become more complex, Lohia’s approach suggests the path of balance and prudence.
Opposition to communalism: held both responsible
Lohia always opposed communalism. But in his view this problem is more a result of political interests than mutual disputes between different religions. He used to ask where does communalism arise? They also replied that it arises from fear and power politics. But Lohia always remained honest while attacking communalism. He took active part in electoral politics. But his secularism was not overshadowed by his desire to create a vote bank.
Lohia held both Hindus and Muslims responsible for communal violence and attributed it to the wrong upbringing of the society. His attack on the educated people of both the communities was that they had spread the poison of distrust in the roots of their co-religionists. He did not agree that religion should have no connection with society and government. He used to say that religion is politics on a large scale and politics is religion on a small scale. It can be said that the job of religion is to do good and the job of politics is to fight evil.
remove english save the country
While talking about removing English, Lohia did not just talk about bringing Hindi. In reality he was a strong supporter of Indian languages. He believed that language is not only a medium of communication but also a tool of power. There were solid arguments behind Lohia’s call to remove English and save the country.
He said that the dominance of English is creating a new type of inequality in India. A handful of people who know English have captured power and opportunities. Lohia’s biggest contribution is his concept of Sapta Kranti. This is not just a political program, but an overall philosophy of social change.
He emphasized on gender equality, end of caste system, fight against economic inequality, foreign domination and injustice in personal life. According to Lohia, the biggest inequality is the distance between man and man. He considered unemployment as more of a social crisis than an economic problem. He called the right to work the greatest right. Lohia advocated small industries, decentralization and strengthening the local economy.
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