October 21, 2024 marks the 73rd anniversary of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), which is seen as the forerunner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Understanding why the BJS was formed and how it evolved helps us grasp the current structure and beliefs that guide the BJP and its Government today.
The establishment of the BJS was important in post-independence Indian politics because it aimed to challenge the dominant ideas of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and offer a different perspective. At that time, Nehru’s beliefs and the Congress party were the main forces in Indian politics, and it seemed unlikely that anyone could successfully present an alternative to them.
The journey of the BJS and later the BJP has been significant. Now, 73 years later, it’s evident that Nehru’s political framework is struggling, while the BJS’s non-Nehruvian ideas and programs have become dominant in Indian politics and public discourse through the BJP’s policies. That’s why it’s crucial to reflect on the evolution of the BJS, as it laid the groundwork for the BJP, which was established in 1980. Since 2014, the BJP has grown to become the most dominant political force in the country
For a short time (1977-80), the BJS merged with the Janata Party, but when that party fell apart in 1980, BJS leaders continued their mission to create an alternative political vision by founding the BJP. Although the organization had a new name, its ideology and structure remained deeply rooted in the foundations laid by the BJS.
The founding of the BJS
Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the founding president of the BJS. A significant reason for the formation of the BJS was the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which opposed the Nehruvian approach to politics.
The RSS recognised that after the ban imposed on it in 1948 following Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, there were very few political voices to support the organisation as its members faced harassment and victimisation.
When the ban on the RSS was lifted in 1949, there was a heated discussion about its future direction. Some members wanted the organization to enter politics directly. After extensive debate, the second Sarsanghchalak, M S Golwalkar, chose to support Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee in his efforts to create a political party that could challenge Nehru and the Congress.
Dr Mookerjee resigned from Nehru’s cabinet in response to the Nehru-Liaqaut pact between India and Pakistan. He accused Nehru of betraying the cause of Bengali Hindus, who were facing communal violence in East Pakistan.
The establishment of the BJS was a unique organisational experiment in Indian politics. Unlike other parties that first set up a national structure before establishing state and district units, the BJS created its state-level units prior to its formal national founding. The BJS units for Punjab, PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union was a state of India that comprised eight princely states. It existed between 1948 and 1956 with Patiala as its capital) and Delhi were formed by May 1951. In the following six months, provincial party units were established in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Bharat (Central India). However, the BJS was officially launched as an all-India party during a national convention held in Delhi on October 21, 1951.
Before the formal establishment of the BJS, Mookerjee met with Golwalkar, Balasaheb Deoras, and Bhaurao Deoras in early 1951 at the home of Nagpur sanghchalak Babasaheb Ghatate. This meeting was crucial as the RSS not only decided to fully support the BJS but also provided some of its full-time workers, known as pracharaks, to assist with organizational tasks. This tradition has continued with the formation of the BJP, as the RSS still lends its full-time workers to the party.
The first manifesto of the BJS, released at its founding convention, highlighted key issues, including promoting Swadeshi economics, ensuring cow protection, decentralising power, taking a strong stance on Pakistan, integrating Kashmir as an essential part of India, promoting Indian languages, and moving away from the Western approach to policy-making. The BJS maintained its stance on these issues over the years, continuing to prioritise them.
The 73rd anniversary of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh serves as a reminder of its foundational role in shaping the ideological framework of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The principles established by the BJS, such as Swadeshi economics, cow protection, and a strong stance on national integrity, continue to influence the BJP’s policies today. As the party remains a dominant force in Indian politics, understanding the BJS’s legacy helps us appreciate the continuity of its vision. The evolution from the BJS to the BJP illustrates a sustained commitment to an alternative political paradigm. Ultimately, this journey highlights the enduring impact of the BJS on India’s political landscape.
