Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

Integral Humanism: The Philosophy of Deendayal Upadhyay

Why in the News?

A mainstream political party is celebrating 60 years of Integral Humanism (Ekatm Manav-vad), a political philosophy introduced by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

About Deendayal Upadhyaya and His Contributions:

  • Birth and Legacy: Born on September 25, 1916, in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh; his birth anniversary is marked as Antyodaya Diwas since 2014.
  • RSS and BJS Roles: He was a pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and co-founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS).
  • Leadership: Served as President of BJS, laying its ideological foundation.
  • Antyodaya Concept: Coined “Antyodaya”, meaning upliftment of the last person, central to several welfare schemes.
  • Advocated Ideas: Promoted Swadeshi (self-reliance) and decentralization of power for inclusive development.
  • Inspired Schemes:
  • Mysterious Death: Found dead on February 11, 1968, near Mughalsarai railway station, now renamed Deendayal Nagar. The case remains unresolved.

His Philosophy of Integral Humanism:

  • Introduction: Proposed in 1965 through four lectures in Mumbai, promoting Indian values over foreign ideologies.
  • Core Idea: Aims for holistic development — body, mind, intellect, and soul — grounded in cultural and spiritual ethics.
  • Chiti and Dharma: Defined ‘Chiti’ as the soul of the nation and ‘Dharma’ as the ethical base of national integrity.
  • Six Economic Objectives:
    1. Minimum living standard for all citizens.
    2. Global welfare through Indian values.
    3. Employment for all able-bodied individuals.
    4. No wastage of natural resources.
    5. Promotion of indigenous technology.
    6. Flexible industrial ownership based on practicality.
  • Further Influence: Expanded by Dattopant Thengdi, founder of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).
  • Intellectual Roots: Drew inspiration from Daishik Shastra (1923), a text respected by Gandhi and Tilak; studied during a visit to Almora in 1958–59.
[UPSC 2020] One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is:

Options: (a) the final goal of a stateless society * (b) class struggle. (c) abolition of private property. (d) economic determinism.

 

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