25

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia

(1910-1967)

The people will listen to nne perhaps after I am dead but

isten they must some day. What is wanted is a new type of
leadership and a new quality anong the people."
- Lohia

Biographical Sketeh
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, a
Indian politics, thc stormy
highly controversial figurc in the
petrel, a fiery propagandist of Indian
brand of socialism and an ardent
1910 at Akbarpur (U.P.) in a Vaish
patriot was born on March 23,
family which acquired the surname
of Lohia for dealing in the business of
Loha'. Lohia
spirit of nationalism and sympathy for the necdy frominherited the
his revered
father-Hira Lal, himsell an active
Gandhi. He was brought up in an Congressman, and a devotee of
atmosphere frce from caste
prejudicc. Even as a child, he had longing for
needy and down-trodden. He graduated from hclping
the poor, thec
Calcutta in 1929, got Ph.D Vidyasagar College,
Degrec in Economics in 1932 from
Germany. His stay and educalion in Berlin is not without
on some of his
thoughts matured later on. In Germany, he studied impact
the works of Marx and
Hegal in original and noted the failure of
Marx and Hegal to give a cluc to the
the destinies of mankind. In working of History and shape
Giermany had "the greatest intcllectual
he
and ideological affinity with the socialist
he participated actively in the movements party therc."" As a student,
for freedom. He took
active part in Non-cooperation movement an
launched by Giandhi. In
 D: Ram Manohar Lohia 591

1928, he presided over a meeting held at Calculla, to boycott Simon

Commission. In 1934, he playcd vital role in the formation of the
Congress, Socialist Party in India. In 1936, Nchru assigned him the
Secretaryship of the Department of Foreign Affairs established by
the Congress. He held this office with distinction till August, 1938.
During this period, he laid the foundation ol thc lorcign policy o
India. Lohia brought out brochures-'On the struggle for Civil
Liberties', Indian Foreign Policy; India and China ; Indians in loreign
lands; Lool of the foreign contractors; The salary of the Governmcnt
officers. In 1937, he brought out a Hindi pamphlet -'Swaraj Kya aur
Kaise'. His treatise 'Economics after Marx'. (1943) was the outcome
of the idcological
ferment prevailing during world war. He played
a signilicant part in the Quit India Movement of 1942. On July 3,
1951 he took part in the International Socialist Conference in
Frankfurt (Germany). In 1953, he was elected General Secretary of
the Praja Socialist Party (PSP). He was responsible for convening
the Asian Socialist Conference in 1953. He incorporated Gandhian
ideas in the Socialist thought. He advocated the cause of
decentralised economy based upon the revival of cottage industries
and the use of small machines utilizing maximum labour power, and
minimum capital investments. His contemporary socialist
comrade, Asoka Mehta, emphasised that the ideology of the Congress
was not different from that of the Socialists. Hence he suggested
wholchearted cooperation between the Congress and the Praja
Socialist Party (P.S.P.) of which both Asoka Mehta and Dr. Lohia
were the founder members. Dr. Lohia on the other hand did not
cater to this idea.
He described Socialists equidistant from the Communists and
the Congrcss. Hence he did not like the PS.P. to join hands only
with the Congress. They could form an electoral alliance with the
Communists also if the exigencies so demanded. He described
socialism of Asoka Mehta as the 'paralysed socialsim' and his own
as 'militant'.
In December 1955, the Socialist Party of India with Lohia as
the Chairman came into existence. Since then, Lohia became a
staunch critic of India's foreign policy. He did not see eye to eye
with Nehru's policy of non-alignment. Instead, he stood lor
with one solid block. He courted arrest several times for
alignment
many
reasons.
He was protagonist of Hindi. As such, he wanted
English to be
replaced by Hindi as the oflicial language of India. He
emphasised
 Indian Political Thinkers
592
to remain an illusion il administration
that rcal democracy was apt
the medium of English.
of India was to be conducted through
Lohia was operated upon for the
On September 30, 1967
Hospital, New Delhi and
enlargcd prostate gland in the Willingtonthe his
on October 12, he
breathcd his last at agc of 57. Even at
around like Nclson he said "So
dcath bed seeing so many doctors
crores who are not able to
me alonc. There are
many doctors for
a unique pcrsonality
a single doctor". Thus
sce the face of even
with many-fold talents was no more.
extremely versatile, equipped
Lohia was not only a politician
In the words of Dr. Mehrotra, "Dr. reformer
own thinking, a social
but also a philosopher having his
and social discrimination and to
pressing to end thc caste system an
adivasis and backward communities;
improve the lot of women
schemes for the economic progress
economist suggesting a number of
his death the way he received
of an under-developed country....After
remind us of
from all the scctions of leaders and people
praise Indian History that we worship a
Lohia's views on the aspect on
Rana Partap after death". In the
Man Singh in his life time and a
a unique leader and
words of Limaye he, "was an original thinker,
in the making of modern India.
a rebel. He played an important part
tower philiosopher. He was
But Ram Manohar was not an ivory
essentially a man of action"
Political Ideas of Dr. Lohia
Narendra Deva and Lohia
An analytical study of J.P. Narayan,
reveals that Marxist influence was
the strongest on the former two
Lohia was
and the minimum on the third Indian socialist. However,
He expounded
more than they, influenced by Gandhian idology.
context. His political philosophy can
socialist thought in the Asian
liberalism and pragmatic extremism
be summed up as "Philosophical
"
are the main political
ideas of Dr. Lohia:
or firmness". Following
As a Socialist
his
socialism have been well expressed in
Dr. Lohia's views on
and Socialism'. He presented
a
famous work 'Marx, Gandhi
Gandhi and Marx.
between the two opposing views of
compromise to learn from Gandhi
"There are priceless treasures
in his words, it was
no secret in expressing that
as well as from Marx." He kept
Marxism or Gandhism in entirety. It was
not judicious to embrace bctween the two
to think of a via media, a sort of synthesis
better itself a
his words "Socialism need not proclaim
ideologies, In
Dr. Ram
Manohar Lohia
Gandhian or Marxist on 593
Marxist on the the
other for this hand and as anti (Gandhian or antu
one

charm. Hence he would only substitute

coherent whole. He in made an thought b
allempt to
integrate the
Gandhism and Marxism lact characteriscd the socialist
two into a

He as
'c uriously ancmic versions ol
loo
said,"Socialism should ccase to doctrincs.
live on borrowcd
long has il
borrowed trom brcath.
Irom communism ils cconomic aims
captalism or the
aim.... Unless socialism liberal age its non-cconomic and and

disintegrate the premiscs ingencral

is able
capitalism and communism areto founded which
harmony of cconomic and and arrange instcad
its
illogical doctrine general aim, it
that refuses to come of will continue to be an
his socialist friends to agc"" Hence he advised
"Socialism need not. kecp aloof from the rigid
one hand and proclaim itself as philosophies.
Gandhian or Marxist
as anti on the
this would only Gandhiam or anit Marxist on the other
substitutc for
blind worship. He was ofthought by charm." He was in lact
made the centre of a
the view that human's
thought
against
should be
He owned Marxian
political action, it should help but not control.
and
analysis of capitalism as
applied England
to
Germany of his days and
eulogises Marx's denunciation of
private property. He accepted Marx's thcory dialectical
of
materialism though attaches
than Orthodox Marxism, Lohia did notsignificancc
greater to consciousncss
accept Marx's theory of class
war. He denounced this
theory as
inadequate and 'substantially
wrong. He holds "The class struggle of communism is a doctrine of
deceit lies treason, tyranny and decay of culture".' lt is founded on
the fauly analaysis of capitalism. The communist destroy the
capitalist class though toe their modes of production. The socialists
carry on the two lasks simultaneously. He was of the view that
mankind has alternated between "the stabilizing of classes into caste
and loosening of castes into classes." There has been a perpetual
tussle between crystallized castes and loosely cohesive classes. If
castes represent conservative forces of stagnation, inertia and
prescriptive right, classes represent a dynamic foree of social
mobilization. Human history reflects an internal movement between
castes and classes. In the words of Dr. Verma, "Lohia's concept of
the struggle between classes and castes is only a popular form of
Pareto's theory of the struggle and between the landed interests of
rentiers who represent residues of persistence ol aggregates and the
monied interests who represent residucs of combination." Thus the
 Indian Political Thinkers
S04
communists. He
class struggle ol socialists dilfers from that of the
is however conscious of the lact that "Marx mav have occaSIOnally
talked in terms vt force hc did not outline the whole strategy and
lactics of deceit and lie and bad conduct which Lenin did'He
aceepts the class struggle constitutes the dynamies of soCial change
but he applies thc principle of immediacy to i. He holds that

savagrah and class struggle are two names for a single exercise in

ol
power reducton, in the power of evil and incrcase in the power
good. However he fct that both class struggle and satyagrah must
pass. The test of immediacy and must avoid crude practice of lies,
deceit or violence.
Lohia discerned distortion of Marxism in Leninist Russia. If
Marx valucd individual libcrty highly, the communists in Russia
ncgated it to the toiling masses. He denounced communism as
practised in Russia oulright. He opincd ihat it is not possible to
achieve 'the victory of truth through falschood, of health through
murder, of one world through the sacrificec of national ircedom and
democracy through dictalorship.' Practically speaking the
communists have failed to provide either bread or freedom to the
Russians. Such a belief made him repel from Marxism. He stated
describing it as a purely bourgeoisie ideal specially devised to
hoodwink the teeming millions. Dictatorship was indeed the evil
accompaniment of Marxism. " Hence he opposed totalitarianism

and monolithism as prevalent in U.S.S.R. He advocated freedom

based on equality in all walks of life. He
suggested division of
sovereign power in as many bits as possible. He re-evaluated Marxian
analysis of capitalist development, redefinedthe concept of surplus
valuc and enunciated the principle of twin origins of capitalism and
imperialism.He generalised that the history of capitalist development
and its technology meant the division of world into two, one part
possessing highly captialised industry and the other possessing
retarded economies. Dr. Lohia was also not prepared to accept the
communist method of crusading against capitalism and
establishing
socialism.
His socialism was pragmatic in nature. It differed
considerably
from the dogmatic and doctrinarian socialism as advocated
by
Eyropean socialists. He fel thal European socialism lacked a world
outlook. It aimed at raising the standard of living of its own
people
and assuring their social security. In his words "...European socialists
are so much laken up with the problem at the moment, of the
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia 595

stalistical evidence and requirement of their own nation thal they

miss the complete view and the world view". Morcover he fclt

that Europcan Socialism has been gradual, constitutional and

distributive' and socialism in the rest of the world has been drastic
and unconstitutional at times laying the acccnt on production. The
traditional socialism of Asia has in his views chisclled its policy of
lor crutches. The new concept of socialism should not lcan
looking
cither on the right or on the left. It should be bascd on the theory
that capitalism and communism are both irrclevant for crcating the
new civilization. He emphasied that principles and objectives of
socialism in Asia should be considered from two points of view- (1)
application of socialism of local Asian scene; (i) the idcology and
universal concept. He wanted socialism to assume a clear image
and become recognizable as capitalism and communism. He wanted
it to become cohesive, powerful and mighty otherwise it was likely
to be assimilatcd in onc system or the other as the timc and place
dictated. He did not like it to live on borrowed breath. He wanted
it to arrange its own harmony of economic and general aims otherwise
it was apt 1o remain illogical doctrine. He differentiated socialism
from communism. He put forward a formula as Communism =
Socialism-Democracy + Centralization + Civil War + Russia.
Both diffcr in approach and method. If communism alters only
the capitalist relation of production and seeks to reproduce its forces,
socialism alters them both. It is wrong to distinguish them on the
basis of democracy alone i.e. one stands for it and the other
denounces it.
Gandhi's influence on him prompted him to emphasise that
through the Gandhian technique of Saryagrah and complete
decentralization in the cconomic and political sphere, economic
objectives of Marxism could be achieved. Socialism, according to
him, can cease to be tardy and become dynamic if it absorbs the
essence of Gandhism. Likewise, Gandhism left to itself cannot be
of any political advantage to the world. He was not impressed by
Gandhi's technique of appealing to the hearts of opponents and
converting them to one's point of view by self-suffering. He therefore
suggested that Gandhism should no longer remain a separate political
philosophy. It should be absorbed bysocialism. The socialists should
also adopt Gandhian technique of Satyagrah to fight against social
injustice and to achieve their social and economic objectives. He
adopted Gandhi's technique of Civil Disobedience for the vindication
596
Indian Political Thinkers
of the rights and the
dignity of the common man.
Dr. Lohia like Gandhi
favourcd small machincs and small scale
industrics. He held that
large scale industrics resultcd in cconomic
centralizalion whercas small scale machincs suitcd wcll
decentralized structurc. They cconomically
Concentralion and cradicate
provide remcdy against capitalist
unemployment. However the positive
technology of the present age also should be givcn duc
1o make Gandhism
relevant to importance
Governmental purposcs.
Evidently Gandhi's concept of
Satyagraha and decentralization-
the essence of
Gandhism, have exerciscd inclfacable
scem to
influcnce on Lohia's mind. Arumugam remarks, Il is "

discuss the legacy of Gandhi in possible to

Lohia's critiquc of Western
technology.". . "14
Gandhi's technique of non-violence also
deal. He did not hesistate in impressed Lohia a great
Travancore Cochin when it firedcordemning Socialist Ministry of
on violent demonstrators, he
supported thevillage government.". . I5
Lohia expected original thinking and initiative from the Asian
socialists. He wanted them to mould thcir
civilization, founded on centuries old feudalismthinking in the light of a
and depostism. He
exhorted them to avoid mixing of
as such a blend
religious
resulted in ectasianism and dogmatism
and politics,
spread of communalism.
Referring to Nehru's socialistic ideas, he remarked, "

Asia is a pompous The liberal of

phrase maker, devoid of a base in reality. Socialist
in speech and conservative in
on famine
action, he declares a recurrent war
and keeps on
promising sell sulficiency in food
of blaming his failures on skies alongside
that did not send rain. He
threatens
true
corruption
self of
capitalism with distinction but continually
and
reveals his
sanctimonious hypocrisy by
permits and loans.
He is distributing patronage,
. .

a lie and a Iraud but always with

charming and usual pharses. "
He wailed over the rise of a
new class of
technocrats in the Asian politics and bureaucrats and
Asian society according lo socicty. These weaknesses in
him, led to the rise ol
persons who manage keep themselves in power
to leadership ol
and theatrical social
philosoplhy they advocated.".through
.
demagogic
He wanted
Gandhi's idcas to be woven into a consistent .

that the new civilization cloth of socialism, so

may emerge and mankind
of
age peace and decent living.. may hope lor an
He
and communism can no
longer
strongly lelt that
capitalism
chance of
improve whereas socialism has a
improvement as it is as yet an open doctrine. Gandhiji's
 597
Dr Ranm Manohar Lohia

action may well act as filter through which socialist ideas low ang

get rid of their dross or the strain which may colour them general
Keeping a view his above ideas, Appadorai described "Lohia's ideas
ol h e
as a economist trained to think in terms
clarion cali to e

Cconomics of developed countries to devote their

attention to

research on the special problems of under-developed countries

The advocate of decentralised socialism, therefore, proclaimed
and a
that orthodox and organized socialism is a dead doctrine
socialism in which
dying organization. He potrayed a ncw brand of
he stresses six points plan viz.
nationalization
(a) Maximum attainable equality towards which
of economy may be one necessary step.
the world.
(b) A decent standard of living throughout
adult franchise, leading to
c) A world parliament elected on

world government.
(d) Collcctive and individual practice of civil disobedience.
encroachments of
(e) Freedom of the individual against unjust
an area of free speech and
association
public authority and securing exercise control.
and private life over which no government may
with these aims and
(1) Evolution of a technology consistent
processes.
socialism alone could
Lohia was of the view that such a type of
save the world from the sloth of Asia and strife of Europe and give

humanity a new civilization of tranquil activity.

standards in the
He advocated the attainment of equalitarian
considered nationalization as
fields of income and expenditure. He
the growing
important though not the sole remedy. According him,
to
economic inter-independence of the people of the world, was apt

to induce them to harness their energies for improving their

sacrifice the individual for
standards of living. He would not like to
restrictions in the economic field
abstract social good. He favoured
in order to lessen the gro[s inequality prevailing in society.

Propounder of reservation policy.

If Mandal Commission Reservation Policy is cntically analysed,
we may be able to traie its origin from caste policy, propounded by
Dr. Lohia. Dr. Lohia is described as the chicl architect of this caste
reservation policy. He emphasised that caste in India has manifested
itself in its worst form-an allerable Irame-yet the process of
regimentation of class into caste and loosening ol caste into class
598 ndian Political Thinkers

is a pcrannial world wide phenomenon" H c stalcd "Karl Marx

..

tricd to desiroy class without hcing aware of its amasing capacity

to change itscll into caste not nccessarily the ironbound castc of
India. But immobile class only. "In June 1958 he exposcd his docirinc
on caste through an atlicle- towards the destruction of castes and
classcs." His caste policy was adoptcd by the Congress S0calist party
in its Convention hcld at Banaras in April 1959. The parly in this
convention demanded sixty percent reservation of posts in public
life for Harijan women., depressed Muslims, Christians and Adivasis.
The later Conventions of thc party reiterated this policy of
rescrvation. Dr. Lohia was a visionary. As such, he was aware of
inherent dangers of his policy. Hencc in thc above mentoned article,
he remarked, "this policy of uplift of down trodden castes and
groups is capable of yiclding much poison." Hc referred to fivc
types of poisons viz (a) its immediate effcction men's, minds (b) the
colessi among the lower castes may appreciatc the fruits of this
policy without sharing them with other lowcastes; (c) its misuse for
individual advancement; (d) may cause acrimonious
exchanges
between in Sudra and Dvija and (e) relegation of economic and
political issues into background
Theory of state and his belief in four Pillar State
Unlike anarchists and extreme syndicalists, Lohia did not
advocate abolition of the State. Nor he glorified it like the Idealists.
Recognising the importance of the state, he wanted it to cater to
the wellare ol the people rather than an instrument ol
cocrcion. He
could not stand the concentration of in the hands of a few.
power
He reacted against state absolutism as
and Austin
preached by Bodin, Hobbes
or anidcalist like Hegel. As a believer of
Satyagrah, he
advocaled resistance of law, orders, decrees and ordinance ol the
slate.
Like Pluralis1s, he is opposed to the
concept ol a monistic state
which concentrates authority al the Centre.
the diffusion of authority. In his words, The
*
Instead, he believes in
not reside alonc in certain and
sovereign power must
federating units. lt must be broken
and diffused over the smallest region where a
" group of men and
women live." However Lohia's, pluralism diftered from .hat of
Figgis, Maitland, Krabbe and Maclver who were espousing group
rights. Lohia like Laski was espousing pluralism to safcguard
indivdual liberty. He was keen to protect the interest of the individual
through he division of state authority. In his words, "any recognition
 599
Dr. Ram Alanohar Lohia

fictitious thal docs nol

of popular sovereignty would be
al varous
Simultancously provide for the sharing of the
state power
levels and direct participation in administration."* He, howevcr,
ln thc
docs not keep the state at par with other organizations."*
rcmarked. "The stalc
loreword to Lohia and Amcrica Mecl, Lohia
iS an, orgainzation which one must compulsor1ly jon. .il is
Lohia's
possible to delimitthe powers of compulsory organization."
on an idcology
was not only based
theory ot state as a matter of fact Hence he not only
but on the practical necds of the society.
the interest ol the
denounced the capitalist stale which protects
condemncd the cocrcive
handful of moneycdpeople only but also
authority a socialist slate.
of
Laski and Gandhi
Following the line of Russell, Wcbbes, Huxley,
and administrative power
he advocated decentralization of political He fclt that
authoritarianism.
as concentration of power led to and
decentralization alone infused new
life into administrative limbs
of individual
permilted maximum opportunity for the expression
ceds. manilestation of
state is the
practice, his four-pillar
In actual
administrative power. Il means
decentralization of political and
fact abdication of power. In order
partial
devolution of power, in
in as
democralic, he divides sOvercignty
to make democracy more
and township
possible so that common man in his village
many bits as
make intelligent use of them.
can comprehend political affairs and
warmth to the blood of
He emphasised that democracey can bring
when constitutional theory practises the
state
the only
common man
flesh and blood of equalities
of four limbs. Organically covered by the
intuse democracy wilh Joy.
this skcleton of four-pillar slate can
Hence he suggested the constitution of four-pillar stale, the village,
the district, the provincc and the centre..all the four of equal majesty
and dignity. The central limb of stale was however to be empowered

to maintain the and the unity of the state and the rest of
integrity
it was to be fragmented. In the words of Arumugam "Lohia's concept
of lour -pillar state incorporates the principle ol mass parlicipation
and decentralization so as to impart dynamics into local units and
24
work for integrated society."...
Lohia espoused the cause of Four-Pillar State. In this state, he
slrove to synthesise the concepts of centralization and
decentralization. He wanted the villagc, the mandal (the district),
the province and the central government to retain thcir respective
importance añd consiilute any integrated system ot lunctio
 Iniian Political Tunkers
6O0
federalism. In such a State. he suggcsted the aboliton of district
and
magistracy which represents the concentration of jud1cial
CxCCutive powers. Besides hc expected the distrtict, villasge and city

panchayals to perlorm the welfare functions. He expressed kccnness

for the preservation of political frecdom. He did not ike the
democratic goveinment to curtail Irecdom of speceh and associalion
and intericre in the pmivate lives of the individuals.
Lohia was aware of the filth pillar of the Statc as well. The fifth
pillar will be the World Government. As alreadv said, as a utopian
socialist. hc envisaged the inception of a world parliament clccted
on the basis of adull Iranchisc.
Modes of Action
He opined that modes of struggle adopted by the European
socialists arc not suitable for Asia. Spade, vole and prison are the
modes of action emphasised by Lohia. Spade symbolizes activity,
voe the traditional method of democracy and the prison the dirvet
method to ressist evil. However they are interrelated and act as
supplement to cach other.
Secondly he does not consider parliament as the satisfactory
agency of change. He opincd. "In the modern world wlhere two
thirds of the world is so steepcd in misery and poverty, parliamentary
mcans will be found to be inadequate.".. He docs not minimise
the importance of votes as it expresses the peoples' will yet the real
choice according to him lies not between Ballot or Bullet but between
satyagrah or Bullet. "Thirdly he adopts Gandhi's satyagrah in the
form of Civil Disobcdience. Hc holds, in order that the reason
may
retain its quality and yet assist itsclf, there is no way other than that
of refusal to obey the dictates of unreason." He
opines that Cint
resistance is conducive to the moral regeneration. He said when
thousands susfer, millions are awakened. When thousands
pass
through the fire of sufferings, their purity and strength inerease.
Indian history has always placed on its agenda the question as to
whether the spirit of killing or the spirit of sulfering shall seize the
land26

Conclusion
There is no denying the fact that Dr. Lohia has done a rigoro»
thinking as an intellectual socialist."" But his doctrine is
over-weighted with programne as he tried to profess a doctrine for
immediale applicatiuon for achieving a revolution and did not
 DRam Aanohar Lohia
did nof RC
nd doctine lor unforseen distant Suture. Flc
ro a

the entidy ol the individual to be merpcd in the

socialistic Stalc. Fie
downtroddcn
sood lor ibertics, cconomicequalty and uplilt ol the
His advocacy ol Sanagah but opposition to self-stuffering amotunis
devod
Gandhi's ol Satvagrah. In fact Salyayuh
o re-stating concepl ol
like body without soul. The launching
scll sullering is a
rather than
as Duragraha
Campaigns by lLohia can be calegorizcd

Salvagralha. Ganlhism and Marxisnm

scems

Morcover, an ingenious blend of class-

to be Marxism if
the conccpts of
lantastic. Marxisnm ccases

of the proletariat
arc kept
War, of valucs and dictatorship
thcory Hc was
Lohia's criticism of Marx was not original.
out ol it. In lact, inllucnce ol
the Revisionist thinkers. Duc to marked
infhucnced by with the
he deviscd his socialistic concept, in keeping
Gandhi, as
Gandhism and Marxism
cnvironnnents of his own country. But
cnvisaged by Lohia is utopian.
rather
also has
decentralization
His concept of cconomic and political
of roaring industries and gigantic
doubiful utility. In this age machines
small scale industrics and light
machines, the idea of of a developing
anachronism and suicidal for cconomy
appears shcer of
in view of bitter experience
democracy like India. Likewise,
the futurc of village government may
functioning of Panchayats, to the contrary.
our wishful thinking
remain bleak despite nationalization
not consider
His new brand of socialism does
economic ills though describes
it as an

as the only panacca of

Nationalization is the most important ingredient
important remedy. Socialists. In fact, without
socialism as depicted by
the State
of Socalism remains only an illusion.
nationalization, Stale
concluded that Dr. Lohia's brandof Socialism
It can thercfore, be
cnable its author to find a prominent
may not
atlain popularity and
whose philosophy
ol scientilic socialists like Marx
placc in thc galaxy has proved torchbearer lor the toiling
dess ite its shorlcomings
masses.
concentrated authority, his
allergy lo power and
However, his
and his stress on mass struggle and
craving for individual libertyrevolulion will earn him a
lacets ol place in the
vole for the triple
Political thought.
annals of Indian
be considered as an academic systematie
He cannot however
ihe
stature of Plato, Hobbes, Kant, Hegel or
political thinker ol oriented. As such, he
Marx. His doctrines
arc mostly programme
002 Indian Palitical Thinkers

strove to proless a doctrine lor immcdialc applcation for achiceving

Revolution though hardly propoundcd a doctrine for unforscn
distant future. In the words of Madhu Limayc :Dr. Lohia's
views and thoughts which during his ilcime werc
nc ver
dispassionatcly cxamincd, will in futurc comc Io be accepted to have
a greal relevance lor
solving the countrys problems. Jn the
perspective ol history, I have no doubi thai his contribution to
modern India will come to be regardcd as only sccond to that of
28
Mahatma (iandhi.".

REFERENCES

lohia Samajwadi Andolan Ka lthas. p. 20.

2 N. C. Mchrotra: Lohia, a Study, (1978 cd.).
p. 56.
3 Lohia: Prefacc to Marx. Gandhism &
Socialism. p. xIK.
4. Lohia Marx. Ciandhi and Socialism.
p. 427.
5. Ram Manohar Iohia
6.
Whcels of llistory. p.
51.
Report of the Panchmarhi
Special Convention of the Socialist
Pp. 133-34. Party. May. 1952
7. 1ohia: Marx Gandhi and Socialism,
p. 333.
8. lbid., p. 427.
9 V. P. Verma:
op. cit., p. 437.
10. Iohia. op. cit., p. 111.
Preface to Marx. Gandhi and Socialism.
12.
p. 8.
lohia: l'ragments of World Mind, 11. p.
13. Spech in Rangoon: Prcliminary Mectings of the Asian Socialist
March 26. 1952, Will to Power. p. 53. Conference
14 Arumugam Socialis1 Thought in India
(1977-1981). in a tribute to lohia by
Madhu limaya. p. 77.
15. R. M. I»hia: Aspccis of Socialist
16.
Policy, (1952 cd.). p. 17.
Prefacc to Marx, Gandhi and Socialism.
p. 138
17. A Appadorai : Lohia's contributions to
Socialist Thought, lndian
March 27, 1968. E'spress,
18. Mankind: June-July, 1969, p. 19.
19. Dr. Mchrotra: op. cit., p. 101.
20 Caste as Policy-a flash back into Lohia's doctrine
by Lalit Mohan Ciautam.
an article in Hindustan
Times, dated November 2. 1993.
21. Fragments of a World Mind, p. 70. (Magazine Section).
22 Mankind, Fcbruary, 1969, p. 6l1.
23. Foreword to lohia and America Mect by llom's Watford.
24. N. C. Mehrotra : op. cii,, p. p l6
25. 1ohia op. cit., p. 126.
101
26. Mankind, November, 1956, p. 314.
27. N. C. Mchrotra : cit., pp. 104-5.
op.
28. Forword to Lohia a study by 1Dr. N. C. Mehrotra, pp. 224-27.