Feb. 11, Punyatithi (death anniversary) of
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya

SAMARPAN DIVAS

ATALJI'S FOREWARNING

Growing extremist violence is a threat not only
to our democratic system,
but also to our culture and value system

Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Nyas organized a function at the BJP headquarters on February 11, 2005 to commemorate the 36th death anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. The BJP observes this day each year as 'Samarpan Divas', when all the leaders and karyakartas pledge to re-dedicate themselves to the ideas, ideals and goals that Deendayalji embodied in his inspiring personality.

The programme assumed added significance this year since 2005 is the Rajat Jayanti (silver jubilee) year of the BJP. Incidentally, it is also the 40th anniversary of the historic 'Integral Humanism' lecture series delivered by Deendayalji in Bombay on April 22-25, 1965.

Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had worked closely with Deendayalji in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, was the main speaker at the function. Party President Shri L.K. Advani could not be present since he was out of Delhi on that to address election rallies in Bihar and Jharkhand. The function was presided over by former BJP President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the president of the Nyas. Shri Jaswant Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, was also present on the occasion. The proceedings of the function were conducted by Dr. Ram Kripal Sinha, secretary of the Nyas.

* * * * *

The following are the salient points (in English translation) from the speech delivered by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

I often wonder what Deendayalji would have thought of the current situation in the country if he were alive today. The reason for it is obvious. The issues and challenges facing the nation are so complex that they need to be studied in depth and in an integral manner. It is in times like these that we miss a guide and philosopher like Deendayalji.

Deendayalji was a unique political thinker and leader. He had a great ability to develop an integral understanding of any given situation. Looking at any problem in parts, or in isolation, never helps. It is also not in consonance with the Indian intellectual tradition.

Therefore, today we need an approach that Deendayalji outlined in 'Integral Humanism'. He developed this darshan (worldview) at a time when two 'isms' or ideologies - capitalism and communism -- were vying with each other for superiority in the entire world, including in India. Deendayalji believed that neither was suitable for humanity's progress. He therefore evolved an alternative which was not only in conformity with India's culture and genius, but was also suited to the universal needs of man.

The world has rejected communism. At the same time, it is also obvious now that capitalism has failed to solve problems.

Now the whole world is getting attracted towards democracy. This is a positive development.

But we need to think about the shortcomings of democracy too.

When there is dictatorship or despotism, it is necessary to mobilize all forces for its overthrow.

However, democracy cannot be forcibly imposed on any nation from outside. These days America is trying to do that in West Asia.

So what kind of democracy should we have? How should problems be solved through democratic methods and through democratic institutions? Shouldn't all of us follow certain norms (maryadayen) in a democracy? It is necessary to think about these questions.

Ultimately, victory belongs to ideas that are intrinsically powerful and are integral.

Victory belongs to ideas that are capable of embracing all the diversities of a given situation and weaving the essential unity that underpins these diversities.

An ideology or an 'ism' is only a carrier of ideas.

Often, unfortunately, it is the 'ism' that gains prominence and ideas and ideals get left behind.

Instead of thinking and debating about ideas, people tend trumpet their favourite 'ism'. This may serve the temporary needs of propaganda. But it doesn't stand the test of time. Soon, the hollowness and worthlessness of such propaganda becomes apparent.

Therefore, we must never lose sight of the basic ideas and ideals in our ideological debate.

It is also necessary to always link ideas and ideals that we espouse with our practical conduct. Our behavior cannot be such that it negates what we claim to believe in.

We must also bear in mind that no idea can claim to speak the Final Truth.

If one system has failed, or has shown shortcomings, the quest for a new and better system must begin.

I often worry about the lack of in-depth thinking (chintan) about problems facing India and their likely solutions.

For example, we have embraced the system of parliamentary democracy. We are proud of our choice. This is because we believe that democracy offers the best means for solving problems and taking the nation forward.

At the same time, we have to seriously think about an important question: Why is extremist violence growing in our country?

Is it only because of the weaknesses in our judicial and law-enforcement machinery? Or are there other reasons? If there are, we must examine them objectively.

Growing violence in India is a threat to our democracy.

It is not only a threat to our democracy, but it also endangers our culture and our very value system.

Democracy provides an opportunity to change governments. But if only governments change, but the basic system does not change, we'd be courting trouble.

Therefore, we must worry about not only satta parivartan (change of government) but also samaj parivartan (basic social change).

We must ensure that democracy delivers social and economic justice.

I was in Farookhabad in Uttar Pradesh yesterday. What I heard about an incident there has shaken me to the bones. A group of landlords in a village demanded that the farm labourers in that village work for free to cut the standing crop. When the workers refused, they were coerced into lying on the road and were mowed over by a tractor. When some workers tried to escape, they were gunned down.

I could not believe my ears when I first heard about it. How can such barbaric crimes be allowed to be committed in our society? What wrong had the poor agricultural workers committed by refusing to work free for the landlords?

Which is why, all those who cherish democracy, even if we belong to different parties and ideologies, must sit together and find a path that will improve the present system, that will change the present democratic system for the better.

As I said, we'll never reach the final truth. The search for truth will always remain incomplete. But that should not matter.

We must study every problem minutely and in its inter-connectedness with all the relevant issues. This is what Deendayalji taught us.

Today, on 'Samarpan Divas', let us once again study Deendayalji's 'Integral Humanism' and move forward along the path shown by him.