Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath solemnly honored the memory of Acharya Narendra Dev, a distinguished nationalist thinker, educationist, and freedom fighter, on his death anniversary. Dev, a leading theorist of the Congress Socialist Party, advocated democratic socialism and embraced non-violent resistance as a revolutionary tactic.
Acharya Narendra Dev, born on October 30, 1889, was deeply influenced by nationalist leaders like B G Tilak and Aurobindo Ghosh, leading him to embrace the cause of Indian nationalism. His journey led him to explore Marxism and Buddhism, becoming a prominent figure in the Hindi language movement and a key leader of the Congress Socialist Party.
Notably, Narendra Dev served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lucknow and later assumed the role at Banaras Hindu University, where he initiated various projects for the university’s expansion, supported by eminent educationist Nirmal Chandra Chaturvedi.
Narendra Dev’s ideology centered on the abolition of poverty and exploitation, emphasizing moral and humanistic grounds alongside Marxist principles. He believed that true political democracy was incomplete without social democracy and actively participated in the peasant movement, serving as the president of the All-India Kisan Congress.
Even after his passing in 1956, Acharya Narendra Dev’s legacy endured through his association with the Socialist Party and its successor, the Praja Socialist Party, leaving an indelible mark on India’s socio-political landscape.
As CM Yogi Adityanath paid homage to this eminent figure, the tribute underscored the enduring relevance of Acharya Narendra Dev’s principles and his invaluable contribution to India’s freedom struggle and progressive thought.
