Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan

Why is in news? Prime Minister pays tributes to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary

Jayaprakash Narayan (11 October 1902 – 8 October 1979), popularly referred to as JP or Lok Nayak (Hindi for "People's leader"), was an Indianindependence activist, theorist, socialist and political leader.

He is remembered for leading the mid-1970s opposition against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, for whose overthrow he had called for a "total revolution".

His biography, Jayaprakash, was written by his nationalist friend and the writer of Hindi literature, Rambriksh Benipuri.

In 1999, he was posthumously awarded theBharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in recognition of his social service. Other awards include theMagsaysay award for Public Service in 1965.

Jayaprakash Narayan wasborn in Sitabdiara villagebetween Ballia District of Uttar Pradesh and Saran District of Bihar.

Harsudayal Narayan, Jayaprakash Narayan's father, was a minor officer in the State Government's canal department and frequently travelled throughout the region.

In 1921 hejoined the Non-cooperation movementand was influenced by Gandhian Ideology.

In 1929, hejoined the Indian National Congressat the invitation of Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Participated in Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM): Jayaprakash Narayanparticipated in CDMagainst British rule in India and was also sentenced to a year’s imprisonment in 1932.

Formation of Congress Socialist Party (CSP):Heplayed a key rolein the formation of the Congress Socialist Party (1934),a left-wing group within the Congress Party.

Other key membersof the CSP- Acharya Narendra Deva, Ram Manohar Lohia, Minoo Masani, Achyut Patvardhan and Ashok Mehta.

Second World War: He was imprisoned in 1939 for his opposition to Indian involvement in World War II on Britain’s side, but he managed to flee and attempted to organize armed resistance against the British government duringQuit India Movement.

After independence, he left Congress in 1948 andstarted an anti-congress movement. Later, he formed Praja Socialist Party (PSP) in 1952.

Participation inBhoodan Movement: In 1954, he devoted his time exclusively to Vinoba Bhave led Bhoodan Movement which demanded land redistribution to the landless.