As the BJP marks Deendayal Upadhyaya’s 108th birth anniversary, it faces the challenge of aligning his “Integral Humanism” ideals with modern governance
On the occasion of the 108th birth anniversary of Deendayal Upadhyaya, a founding figure of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the proponent of “Integral Humanism,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself reflecting on how closely it has adhered to his visionary ideals. Upadhyaya’s philosophy focused on a holistic approach to human well-being, emphasising decentralisation, indigenous culture, self-reliance, and ethical governance. Though the BJP has embraced these principles rhetorically, transforming them into practical realities remains a formidable challenge.
Economic Ideals vs Modern Policies: Deendayal Upadhyaya’s vision of economic self-reliance and decentralisation stands in contrast to India’s current globalised and capital-driven economic policies, particularly those introduced since the liberalisation reforms of the 1990s.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP has focused on economic growth through increased foreign direct investment (FDI), free-market reforms, and privatisation. Critics argue that this approach clashes with Upadhyaya’s idea of a self-reliant economy, which emphasises supporting rural and local industries, creating jobs at the grassroots level, and minimising dependence on foreign capital.
Balancing Indigenous Culture and Globalisation: Deendayal Upadhyaya advocated for the preservation and promotion of India’s indigenous culture, even as the nation embraced modern advancements. Striking this balance has been a delicate task for the BJP. On one hand, the party emphasises cultural pride, nationalism, and traditional values, promoting initiatives like Ayurveda and yoga on the global stage. On the other hand, India’s integration into the global economy, alongside the rise of modern lifestyle trends and technology, risks diluting the deeper cultural roots Upadhyaya sought to preserve.
The BJP has been critiqued for veering toward an exclusionary cultural nationalism, which may diverge from Upadhyaya’s more inclusive vision.
Ethical Governance vs Corruption: A key tenet of Upadhyaya’s philosophy was the need for ethical governance, marked by integrity, honesty, and service to the people.
While BJP leaders, including Modi, have presented themselves as champions of clean governance, the party has faced allegations of corruption, crony capitalism, and favouritism toward large corporations. Such accusations, particularly regarding land acquisition policies and privatisation, have cast doubt on the party’s commitment to Upadhyaya’s ethical standards.
Inclusive Society vs Polarisation
Upadhyaya’s vision of an inclusive society focused on addressing the needs of all communities, ensuring harmony across social and religious divides. However, the BJP has often been criticised for promoting divisive politics, particularly along religious lines. Reconciling Hindutva-driven politics with the ideals of inclusion and social harmony remains a central challenge for the BJP as it seeks to bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality.
Antyodaya - Uplifting the Last Person: One of Upadhyaya’s most important principles, Antyodaya, focuses on uplifting the most marginalised in society. The BJP has made significant strides in this area through its welfare schemes such as the PM Ujjwala Yojana (providing LPG to rural households), the PM Awas Yojana (affordable housing), and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (improving sanitation).
The BJP has adopted this principle through various campaigns, such as the global celebration of Yoga Day, the promotion of Indian languages, and the reassertion of India’s historical achievements.
Political Decentralisation
A core aspect of Upadhyaya’s philosophy was decentralising power, ensuring governance was closer to the people. The BJP’s emphasis on cooperative federalism and policies such as GST and the creation of NITI Aayog are steps in this direction. Moreover, the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system and the Jan Dhan Yojana have empowered citizens by reducing middlemen and ensuring that subsidies and welfare benefits reach the people directly.
Self-Reliance through Atmanirbhar Bharat; The Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, resonates with Upadhyaya’s emphasis on self-reliance. The promotion of local manufacturing, domestic industries, and efforts to reduce dependence on foreign goods align with his philosophy. The “Make in India” initiative, a key aspect of this vision, has made strides in boosting domestic production and job creation. However, the globalised nature of modern economics makes it challenging to fully realize a self-reliant economy.
Striving toward Upadhyaya’s Vision: As the ruling party, the BJP’s journey in adopting and implementing Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ideals has been a mixture of successes and challenges. While considerable progress has been made in promoting nationalism, self-reliance, and Antyodaya, the party faces significant hurdles in achieving true economic decentralisation, upholding ethical governance, and fostering social harmony.
The complexities of modern governance, global economic integration, and political strategies often pull the BJP away from Upadhyaya’s pure vision. However, the ideals of Integral Humanism remain a guiding light, challenging the party to strike a balance between philosophical ideals and contemporary realities in their pursuit of a better India.
(Writer is a political analyst and strategic affairs columnist based in Shimla; views are personal)
