Rashtra Ke Vikas Me Samajwad Ka Yogadan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rashtra ke Vikas me Samajwad ka Yogadan" by Kanhiyalal Dungarwal, based on the provided pages:

The book discusses the contribution of socialism to the development of the nation. The author begins by referencing Ram Manohar Lohia's perspective on the evolution of the socialist movement. Lohia distinguishes between two meanings of socialism:

The older meaning: An attachment-free ownership and a reduction in attachment to material possessions. This meaning has ancient roots in India and the world.
The newer meaning (influenced by Karl Marx): The abolition of property itself, either through law or people's power. This gained prominence after the Russian Revolution in 1917, leading to an international communist stream that sought to eliminate property, which the author's perspective labels as "foreign-oriented."

The author states that the true socialist stream in India began in 1934. Various socialist factions united within the Congress to form the Congress Socialist Party. Prominent leaders included Acharya Narendra Dev, Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Narayan Gore, and Achyut Patwardhan. Their objectives were complete national independence and the establishment of a socialist society. This group was considered the "hot faction" within the Congress, actively struggling for independence and opposing compromise with power. While Jawaharlal Nehru led this group, he often aligned with the Congress majority for power, despite ideological differences with socialists. The author acknowledges Nehru's bravery and the socialists' invaluable contribution to the freedom struggle, particularly the 1942 Quit India Movement.

The text then highlights a critical point about the Communists' stance during the 1942 movement. Due to Russia being an ally of the Allied nations, they labeled the movement a "people's war" and opposed it, supporting the British regime. Many prominent communists later acknowledged this as a significant mistake. The text also notes the communists' role during the Emergency, with right-wing communists supporting Indira Gandhi and left-wing communists remaining neutral, indicating a divergence within the communist movement.

The author laments the fragmentation of the socialist movement in India, leading to a lack of a broad-based socialist movement today, although efforts continue. The collapse of communism in Russia and the rise of capitalist consumerism have led some to believe socialism has ended. However, the author argues that American imperialism and the new capitalist economy have created new exploitative avenues for poorer nations. The emergence of multinational corporations and the new economic order pose a significant challenge to the culture of sacrifice and equality that emerged from the independence movement and the achievements of the socialist movement. India is caught in the complexities of the World Trade Organization. In this context, remembering the valuable contribution of the socialist movement to India's liberation and development is relevant.

The text then outlines specific contributions and ideologies of the socialist movement in India:

Opposition to Partition: They opposed the division of the country. When this failed, they proposed a "fake" partition and a loose confederation of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, believing it would offer a lasting and peaceful solution to issues involving Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Kashmir, and end wars and communal conflicts.
Struggle for Socialist Economy: After independence, they advocated for a socialist economy and planning, which influenced the Congress to adopt a "socialist facade," leading to the nationalization of banks and insurance companies and the establishment of key industries in the public sector. They also critiqued the shortcomings of both public and private industries.
Peasant, Labor, and Youth Movements: They played a significant role in helping farmers, laborers, and youth secure their rights.
Goa Liberation Movement: Socialists were active in this movement, with Dr. Lohia himself participating in struggles and being arrested.
Nepal's Liberation: They supported the movement to liberate Nepal from the Rana regime.
Hyderabad's Integration: They advocated for the liberation of Hyderabad from the Nizam and its integration into India.
Critique of Government Plans: They criticized government plans as directionless and contributing to inequality. They argued that instead of fulfilling basic needs like agriculture, clean drinking water, sanitation, education, employment, and irrigation, the plans benefited black marketers, contractors, corrupt officials, and politicians. Dr. Lohia famously exposed this through the "Three Annas versus Fifteen Annas" debate in Parliament.
Promoting Constructive Work and Labor: Political parties in a democracy were encouraged to engage in constructive work, struggle, and symbolize the importance of labor through "vote, shovel, and jail." The slogan "Every capable person contributes one hour of labor for the country" was promoted and implemented.
Non-violent Civil Disobedience: They propounded the principle of non-violent Satyagraha and civil disobedience against any injustice or tyranny, even from their own government, a principle rejected by "governmental and monastic Gandhivadis." They proposed that in the 20th century, the choice was between Gandhi or the atom bomb, or between bullet or civil disobedience as a means of change.
Foreign Policy: They considered both Atlantic and Soviet blocs equally futile, advocating for the formation of a third bloc of democracy and socialism. They supported equal rights for all nations in the UN, the abolition of the veto, and the establishment of a world government.
Critique of Capitalism and Communism: They viewed capitalism and communism as two sides of the same coin, symbolizing the culture of the West and economic centralization. For a better world, they emphasized socialism, democracy, non-violence, decentralization, and civil disobedience. They advocated for an international form of socialism and world friendship.
Language Policy: They believed that the concept of socialism was futile with the prevalence of English. They actively campaigned to remove English from public use and education, promoting Hindi and regional languages as mediums of instruction. While these movements were initially successful, English is regaining its dominance.
Environmental and Rural Focus: They called for cleaning rivers and organizing fairs related to agriculture and rural systems in places like Kumbh Melas rather than Delhi, to benefit millions of rural people.
Decentralized Economy and Appropriate Technology: They promoted a decentralized economy and the adoption of small-scale machine technology. While large machines were advocated for national security and exports, small machines were favored where possible to generate employment.
Decentralization of Power (Chowkhamba Raj): They proposed decentralization of power at the Panchayat, district, state, and central levels, with a fifth pillar being a "World Panchayat."
Voting Rights: They advocated for voting rights for 18-year-olds.
Social Security: They proposed pensions for the elderly and the unemployed.
Social and Economic Reorganization: They called for the formation of "Land Army" and "Food Army."
Environmental Protection and Border Integrity: They advocated for saving the Himalayas and opposed China's occupation of Tibet. They argued that the McMahon Line was the border between free India and free Tibet, otherwise, India's border extended to Kailash Mansarovar and the Brahmaputra river.
Reservation Policy: They supported reservation but with the objective of caste annihilation. They promoted inter-caste marriages and believed reservation should not be in education. They advocated for 60% reservation in jobs and leadership roles for backward sections like women, Shudras, Harijans, Adivasis, and minorities.
Price Control: They argued that increasing dearness allowance would not reduce inflation and advocated for price control, balancing prices between agricultural and factory goods. They suggested factory goods should not be sold at more than one-and-a-half times their cost price.
Religion and Politics: They viewed religion as long-term politics and politics as short-term religion, advocating for a wise blend of both. They supported a secular state.
Jayaprakash Narayan's Role: They noted Jayaprakash Narayan's adoption of the Sarvodaya movement, the subsequent disintegration of the socialist movement, his leadership in the Gujarat-Bihar movements, the imposition of the Emergency, the formation of the Janata Party, and the end of Congress's absolute rule at the center.
Anti-Congressism: They highlighted the success of the "anti-Congressism" strategy in 1967, leading to Congress losing power in 9 states.
Political Shifts: They mentioned the Bofors scandal in 1989, the rise of Janata Dal, and the formation of V.P. Singh's government.

The book concludes by stating that the socialist campaign continues. The salt Satyagraha against the Kargil company in Kandla was successful. Rebellions against corruption and inactivity within Janata Dal led to the formation of Janata Dal (Samata Dal). While socialist organizations still exist, the absence of a large, unified socialist organization prevents effective movements against multinational corporations, corruption, immorality, inequality, and capitalism. The nation's development is hampered. The author poses a question: Will the new generation leverage this legacy to provide new leadership? Will all socialists and communists, abandoning their narrow boundaries, unite to free the country from capitalism and American/European economic imperialism and build a new egalitarian society, showing a new path to the world? The author emphasizes the need for correct thinking, action, and organization, urging readers to resolve to fulfill this.