Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya: Life, Works, Contribution

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (1916-1968) was an Indian politician, philosopher, and journalist who played a significant role in forming the ideology of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the forerunner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is best known for his articulation of the philosophy of Integral Humanism, which continues to influence Indian political discourse today. This article explores the life and contribution of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya along with details about his ideology.

Who Was Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya?

Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (1916–1968) was an Indian politician, philosopher, economist and the founding leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was famous for his deep understanding of Indian culture and his vision for a self-reliant India.

Early Life and Education

Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was born on 25 September 1916 in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. He lost his parents at a very young age and was raised by his relatives. Despite facing hardships, he excelled in his studies and completed his education from respected institutions like the Government High School, Sikar
Sanatan Dharma College, Kanpur, Allahabad University

• His mother’s name was Shrimati Rampyari, and his father’s was Shri Bhagwati Prasad. Upadhyaya faced a challenging childhood, losing both his parents at a young age.
• He was left with a younger brother and stayed with his maternal uncle in Agra. Thereafter, he continued his schooling in various places such as Agra, Gangapur, Kota, Rajgarh, Sikar and Pilani.
• He completed high school in Sikar and was awarded a gold medal, Rs 250 towards his books and a monthly scholarship of Rs 10 by Maharaj Kalyan Singh, the Maharaja of Sikar.
• Again, he went on to complete his Intermediate in Pilani and topped the board examination with distinction, earning him meritorious titles and scholarships from Ghan Shayam Das ji Birla.
• After completing his graduation with B.A. in English Literature from Santaram Dharma College, he embarked on pursuing an MA from Agra. Simultaneously joined the RSS or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1937 at the instance of his friend Balwant Mahashabde.
• Joined the hands of Shri Nanaji Deshmukh and Shri Bhau Jugade in all the activities of RSS. But he was not able to appear for his M.A. finals as his cousin Rama Devi fell ill and died while he was taking care of her treatment. 
• All his scholarships were discontinued later.
• Later, he also attempted a civil service examination in Dhoti and Kurta while all others were in Western outfits, mocking him, but he topped the examination and left for Prayag to pursue B.T. Even from Prayag, he was in touch with RSS activities. 
• After completing his B.T., he joined RSS full-time.

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Journey from RSS to Politics  

Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his student years. He later became a full-time pracharak and dedicated his life to national service.

• Upadhyaya became a lifelong pracharak (propagator) of the RSS and actively participated in the organisation’s activities from Lakhimpur, UP.
• In 1955, he became the Provincial Organiser of the RSS in UP.
• In 1950, when Dr Shayama Prasad Mukherjee, the then central minister, opposed the Nehru-Liaquat pact and resigned from his cabinet position. 
• Mukherjee joined hands with the opposition to put up a strong opposition against the INC and thus sought Sri Guruji’s help from RSS to suggest to him some names of young and dedicated people. By now, PT Deendayal was famous because of his staunch ideologies that matched the principles that RSS stands for.
• On September 21, 1951, Upadhyaya convened the political convention of UP and laid the foundation of the state unit of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Dr Mukherjee also presided over the first All-India Convention, which was held on 21st October, 1951.
• He entered the political domain via RSS and became the General Secretary for 15 years of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh from 1951 to 1967.
• In 1968, he became the president of the Jana Sangh and gave his philosophy of integral humanism, which is also a combination of Gandhian philosophy and his ideals.

Work and Contribution

His remarkable work and visionary contributions continue to guide India’s social, political, and economic progress, making him an enduring symbol of dedication and national service.

• Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya established a publishing house in Lucknow named “ Rashtra Dharma Prakashan” and through the house launched a monthly magazine Rashtra Dharma”. Later, he also launched Panchajanya and Swadesh.
• He was a prolific writer and editor, contributing to various publications. He worked as a journalist in the “Rashtra Dharma” daily,  was an editor at “Panchjanya”, and wrote some columns for the weekly like “The Organiser” and “Political Diary”.
• His mantra while pursuing journalism was “Don’t distort the news”
• He authored several books, including “Integral Humanism, “Ekatmamanav-vad, “Rajarshi Chandragupta,” and “Jagatguru Shankaracharya,” which expounded his philosophical and political views.

Fun Fact- To commemorate this personality, Mughalsarai Junction was renamed as
“Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction”

Integral Humanism

• His philosophy is the official philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Upadhyaya’s central contribution lies in his development of Integral Humanism, a holistic philosophy that emphasises the inherent dignity and worth of every individual.
• This philosophy stands in contrast to Western models of individualism and materialism, advocating for a society based on social harmony, cultural rootedness and economic self-reliance.
• Key tenets of Integral Humanism include:
  • Dharmarajya: A just and righteous state based on Dharma (duty) and ethical principles.
  • Sarvodaya: Upliftment of all, ensuring everyone’s well-being and prosperity.
  • Antyodaya: Uplifting the most disadvantaged sections of society first.
  • Swadeshi: Self-reliance and economic independence through local production and consumption.
  • Samanvaya: Synthesis and integration, seeking common ground and fostering unity in diversity.

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Legacy

Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s ideas continue to influence India even today. Many schemes and institutions are named after him, such as:

• Upadhyaya’s untimely death on 11 February 1968 left a void in Indian politics, but his ideas continue to inspire generations.
• Integral Humanism forms the core ideology of the BJP and has influenced various government policies and initiatives.
• Upadhyaya is remembered for his intellectual depth, commitment to social justice, and his vision of a strong, prosperous, and united India.

Paragraph on Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (100 Words)

Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was a great Indian philosopher, political thinker and leader. Born in 1916, he dedicated his life to serving the nation. He introduced the philosophy of Integral Humanism, which highlights balanced development rooted in Indian culture. As a leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, he worked to strengthen the organisation and promoted values like self-reliance, simplicity and service. His concept of Antyodaya focused on uplifting the poorest sections of society. Though his death in 1968 was mysterious, his ideas continue to inspire India’s development even today.

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Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s life and work offer valuable lessons for contemporary India. His emphasis on individual dignity, social harmony, and economic self-reliance continues to resonate in a world grappling with complex challenges. His death anniversary is observed as Smarpan Diwas on 11th February.

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