Prof Jasbir Singh
drjbsingh@yahoo.com
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya is recognised as one of the most profound political thinkers and philosophers of modern India. He is widely known for propounding the philosophy of Integral Humanism, which aimed at creating a balanced, self-reliant, culturally rooted, and socially harmonious nation. His ideas remain highly relevant in contemporary India, especially in the context of the national aspiration of Viksit Bharat. At a time when India is navigating rapid global changes and economic challenges, his ideas offer a powerful roadmap for building a self-reliant, culturally rooted, and morally driven Viksit Bharat. His philosophy provides a moral, cultural, and socio-economic framework that aligns with the vision of transforming India into a prosperous, inclusive, and self-sustaining nation.
Born on September 25, 1916 at village Nagla Chandraban, now called Deendayal Dham, near the town of Farah in Mathura District in Uttar Pradesh, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya is an unparallel example of how a leader should be in social life, how to live up to the democratic values and imbibe the morals and ethos of this great country India. On February 11, 1968, he was mysteriously murdered, and his dead body was found at the Mughalsarai railway station (in August 2018 the Mughalsarai railway station has been renamed Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction).
In 1950 Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the then Minister of Industries at the Centre opposed the Nehru-Liaquat pact -1950 and resigned from the central cabinet and floated Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951. Dr. Mukherjee demanded Kashmir to be declared as an integral part of India without the special privileges guaranteed under the instrument of accession. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was appointed as the first general secretary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He was a dedicated worker, and his organizing skills were unparalleled. Dr. Mukherjee was impressed by his skills and acumen remarked, “If I had two Deendayals, I could transform the political face of India”!
During his tenure with RSS, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya started a weekly Panchjanya and a daily Swadesh (It was later replaced by Tarun Bharat which is published from Lucknow). He also wrote the drama Chandragupta Maurya and penned the biography of Shankaracharya in Hindi. He translated the biography of RSS founder Dr. K. B. Hedgewar from Marathi into Hindi. His other renowned literary works include Samraat Chandragupta (1946), Jagatguru Sankaracharya (1947), Akhand Bharat Kyon? (1952), Bharatiya Arthniti: Vikas Ki Disha (1958), The Two Plans: Promises, Performances, Prospects (1958), Rashtra Jivan Ki Samasyayen (1960), Devaluation: A Great Fall (1966), Political Diary (1968), Rashtra Chintan, Integral Humanism and Rashtra Jivan Ki Disha.
To understand Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy it is important to understand the objectives of humankind as propounded by him. According to him, humankind has four attributes of body, mind, intellect and soul which corresponded to four universal objectives, Kaam (Desire or satisfaction), arth (wealth), dharm (moral duties) and moksh (total liberation or salvation). For him, dharm is the basic and moksh the ultimate objective of the humankind and society. Those who consider the problems of body and mind are always pursuing the materialist objectives of desire and wealth.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya believed that development should not merely focus on economic growth but must ensure the holistic development of human beings. His concept of Integral Humanism emphasized the harmonious development of the body, mind, intellect, and soul. According to him, western models of development were excessively materialistic and often ignored the spiritual and cultural aspects of human life. He argued that India should adopt a development model rooted in its own cultural traditions and social ethos. The vision of Viksit Bharat resonates with this thought as it seeks to promote sustainable growth while preserving India’s cultural identity and values.
However, one of the central elements of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s vision was the idea of Antyodaya, which means the upliftment of the last person in society. He strongly believed that the success of any nation lies in the welfare of its most vulnerable sections. He advocated for policies that prioritize the needs of the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged communities. The concept of inclusive growth, which forms a key pillar of the Viksit Bharat vision, draws inspiration from this principle. Government initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, rural development, and social welfare reflect the spirit of Antyodaya by ensuring that development benefits reach every section of society.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya also stressed the importance of self-reliance or Swadeshi. He believed that India should strengthen its domestic industries, promote indigenous knowledge systems, and reduce dependence on foreign resources. His advocacy for decentralized economic development focused on empowering villages and local communities. He considered villages as the foundation of India’s socio-economic structure and supported policies that encourage rural industrialization and local entrepreneurship. The present emphasis on initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat aligns closely with Upadhyaya’s vision, as it seeks to make India economically self-sufficient and globally competitive.
Another significant aspect of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s thought was the concept of decentralized governance. He believed that decision-making should be brought closer to the people through strong local institutions such as Panchayati Raj. According to him, centralized governance often leads to inefficiency and alienation of people from policy-making processes. Viksit Bharat requires strong grassroots governance, transparency, and public participation, which are consistent with Upadhyaya’s emphasis on empowering local communities and strengthening democratic institutions.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya also highlighted the importance of social harmony and national unity. He believed that India’s strength lies in its diversity and cultural plurality. He advocated for a society free from discrimination based on caste, religion, or region. For him, nationalism was not merely political but cultural and civilizational. The vision of Viksit Bharat similarly focuses on fostering unity, social cohesion, and collective progress. His emphasis on moral and ethical values in governance remains particularly relevant in ensuring transparent and responsible leadership.
Furthermore, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya recognized the importance of education in nation-building. He believed that education should promote character-building, cultural awareness, and skill development alongside academic knowledge. In context of Viksit Bharat, education plays a crucial role in creating an innovative, skilled, and morally responsible workforce capable of driving national progress. The focus on holistic education and skill development reflects Upadhyaya’s vision of nurturing holistic individuals.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Integral Humanism provides a comprehensive framework for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. His emphasis on inclusive growth, self-reliance, cultural preservation, decentralized governance, social harmony, and holistic human development remains highly relevant in contemporary India. By integrating economic progress with ethical values and cultural consciousness, Upadhyaya’s vision offers a balanced pathway for India’s transformation into a developed and prosperous nation. His ideas continue to inspire policies and developmental initiatives aimed at building a strong, inclusive, and self-reliant India. Pandit Deendayal was a man who lived for the nation where Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha stand optimally balanced: one earth, one family, one future.
(The author is Chair Professor, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya UGC -Chair University of Jammu)
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