LOHIA AND LOKNAYAK : TWO GREAT LEADERS OF INDIA

                                                                                         -  MILAN K SINHA

The millions of common man of this country is highly agitated on issues like  unprecedented rise in price rise of all essential commodities  and issues related to rampant corruption mainly due to fast deteriorating standard of Indian politics. Politics of power has almost overtaken politics of service for the toiling masses of the country. High standards of morality and high principles have very little place in Indian politics now. Corruption, caste ism  favoritism  nepotism, regionalism together with money power, muscle power and manipulative power are recognized as basic requirements for a person wishing to go up the political ladder. No means are too debased, no methods too degrading and no tricks too mean. Actually, the end justifies the means today. Obviously, common people are astonished to see all these changes. Their hardships have been mounting and mushrooming over the years. The impact of this worsening political situation is noticeable in every sphere of our public life.  
         
 Naturally, at this critical stage the name of two great leaders of India, Ram Manohar Lohia and Loknayak  Jai Prakash Narayan comes to our mind. Today is JP's Birth Anniversary and tomorrow is Lohia's Death Anniversary.

  Both of them always laid emphasis on moral values in all our affairs, private as well as public, on means and on ends,also on democratic institutions and individual freedom. They left memorable impression on the Indian political scene because of their fighting spirit, moral stature, rugged personal integrity, tremendous sacrifices and their remarkable honesty. They were  great revolutionary both in thought as well as  action who worked tirelessly for the country without any lust for power or fame.

 During the course of Total Revolution Movement  JP said, " Since Independence there has been a steady decline in political, public and business morality. If we take social and economic development, the picture is frightful. Population growth goes racing forward. Poverty is also growing: more than 40 per cent of the people are below the poverty line. The barest necessities such as drinking water, man-worthy and not cattle-worthy housing, medical care, apart from food and clothing, are not available. Schools are few and the teaching is bad. The papers say today that Bihar is the richest State in the country in minerals. Bihar also has good land and perennial rivers. Why then is Bihar the poorest State in India? Well, one could go on adding to that list..."

 Indeed  both JP and Lohia were persons who during their life time continuously and indefatigably fought for the well being of the poorest of the poor.  They gave a clarion call  to the people to rise in protest against all sorts of tyranny and dictatorship.Time and again they  voiced the demands of the poor to make the rulers realize their duties towards the nation. 

  In this context, speaking on a resolution in Lok Sabha on 4th August,1967 Lohia said," Today if we do not share the hardships of the people arising out of scarcity of essential commodities in the country whether it is due to drought or flood or famine or to any other cause, then how can we ask the people to build and make the country strong. Those who are rulers and in whom people reposed confidence of building the country, live in comfort and luxury, then it is beyond their moral capacity to ask the people to sacrifice their life for the nation." Continuing his speech he furnished the details of the expenditure incurred on privileges and facilities MPs, Ministers and  the President were enjoying , he said ," My pay is only Rs. 500/= per month but if the cost  involved in providing me all the privileges and facilities be taken into consideration then it will come to Rs.2500/- per month. Using the same yardstick in the case of ministers, it comes to  about Rs. 8 lacs annually. And to say the least, this figure for the Prime Minister and President goes up to Rs.100 lacs per year. Therefore, I say that first search out the sources of expenditure and then devise the methods to stop all the unnecessary expenditure."

   Before signing off,one small request to all. Please evaluate our present leaders  who claim & proclaim themselves to be the true  disciples &  followers  of Lohia and Loknayak, on the basis of  what they have done and are actually doing for the millions of poor and disadvantaged people vis-a-vis the principles & philosophy of these two great leaders of India.  

                       will meet again with Open Mind. All the Best.