Adapting to suit Indian conditions

 Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra

Acharya Narendra Dev and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya held fundamentally different and often opposing philosophical views on society, economy, and polity, primarily stemming from their alignment with democratic socialism and Integral Humanism (rooted in Hindu nationalism), respectively. 

Acharya Narendra Dev's Philosophy: Democratic Socialism

Acharya Narendra Dev was a key figure in the Indian socialist movement, co-founding the Congress Socialist Party. His philosophy was rooted in: 

• Socialism and Democracy: He advocated for the establishment of a socialist society, aiming to abolish poverty and exploitation, but believed this must be achieved through democratic means.
• Abolition of Inequality: His primary concern was the upliftment of the deprived sections of society, seeking a classless society with equal opportunities for all.
• Western Influence (Modified): While inspired by Western socialist ideals, he sought to adapt them to suit Indian conditions, rejecting aspects that overly regulated individual freedom or neglected the specific context of India. 

Deendayal Upadhyaya's Philosophy: Integral Humanism 

Deendayal Upadhyaya was a prominent thinker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and his philosophy of "Integral Humanism" is the guiding principle of the modern Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His key tenets included: 

• Rejection of Western "isms": He was a staunch critic of both Western capitalism (which he felt encouraged greed and inequality) and Marxist socialism (which he felt replaced individual freedom with state domination).
• Indigenous Model: Upadhyaya stressed the need for an indigenous, culture-specific economic and social model for India, rooted in its own traditions and values.
• Four Hierarchical Attributes: He viewed the human being as an integrated whole with four attributes: body, mind, intellect, and soul. He argued that all four need to be addressed for complete human development, not just the material aspects emphasized by Western ideologies.
• Supremacy of Dharma: Upadhyaya's philosophy placed "Dharma" (ethical and moral principles, laws of life) as the foundational element, arguing that it should guide all aspects of life, including democracy and the economy.
• Antyodaya and Decentralization: He proposed "Antyodaya" (reaching the poorest of the poor) as an objective and advocated for a decentralized economic model with a focus on small industries and local communities to promote self-reliance and reduce inequality, inspired by ancient Indian village structures.
• Hindu Nationalism: His ideas were intrinsically linked to the concept of Hindu nationalism and an integrated society based on Indian culture. 

In essence, Narendra Dev sought a progressive, egalitarian society through a state-led democratic socialist framework, while Upadhyaya advocated for a holistic, indigenous model based on traditional Indian values, culture, and a balance between the individual and society, fundamentally opposing Western ideological frameworks. 

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