Deendayal Upadhyaya

Deendayal Upadhyaya Biography

Deendayal Upadhyaya was a politician and activist who lived in the 20^th century. An RSS thinker, he was one of the founders of the political party Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the parent party of present day national political party, Bharatiya Janata Party. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay lived during the period, 25 September 1916 – 11 February 1968. He was found dead on a railway track near Mughalsarai station. Though it’s believed to be an act of petty thieves, the puzzle is still unsolved and culprits are to be punished. A couple of months before his death, he was elected as the president of the Jana Sangh. He was a philosopher, an author, editor and translator too. Narendra Modi, after coming to power has named several public institutions after him.

He was born on 25 September 1916 in Mathura district, United Provinces, British India. The place now belongs to Uttar Pradesh. He was born into a family with a religious background, and his father was an astrologer. At the age of 8, he lost both his parents, and later he was brought up by his maternal uncle. He completed his graduation from Sanatan Dharma College, Kanpur in 1939. Though he pursued his Master’s studies, he discontinued it. Though he passed Provincial Services Exam, he declined to join the services. He wanted to work with Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh as its full-time worker, Pracharak.

It was during his college days at Kanpur, when he got attached to RSS. Sunder Singh Bhandari, a noted RSS leader was his classmate. He started the monthly Rashtra Dharma from Lucknow in the 1940s, and has worked with many dailies and magazines in the role of an editor and writer. Though he was active with RSS, he didn’t have a glorious political career, or association with freedom struggle movement. He unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections once. His village Chandrabhan is now called Deendayal Dham.

Published: August 13, 2018

Updated: August 13, 2018