Why was the Prime Minister paying tributes to Acharya Kripalani on his birth anniversary recently? The answer lies in the rich life-story of this iconic figure, who made remarkable contribution in various spheres of Indian society. Born on 11th November 1888, Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani, better known as Acharya Kripalani, was an independence activist, a politician of substance, a committed educationist, and an ardent environmentalist.
Early Life and Education
Acharya Kripalani was born in Hyderabad, Sindh. He began his career as an educator, teaching at various places from 1912 to 1927. It was during his tenure at the Gujarat Vidyapith, a university founded by Mahatma Gandhi, around 1922 when he earned the moniker ‘Acharya’. The title ‘Acharya’ meaning teacher, signifies his dedication towards imparting education, which was not merely academic but also instilled values of self-reliance and nationhood.
Acharya Kripalani: The Environmentalist
In a society where environmental considerations were often overlooked, Kripalani, together with Vinoba Bhave, devoted himself to preservation and conservation activities throughout the 1970s. His efforts underline the fact that he was not only a freedom fighter and a politician, but also someone genuinely concerned about the nation’s natural resources.
Role in India’s Freedom Struggle
Acharya Kripalani was an integral part of India’s struggle for independence. He took part in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (started in 1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942). As the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) at the time of India’s independence, his role was instrumental. He also served in the Interim government of India (1946–1947) and the Constituent Assembly of India.
Political Journey Post-Independence
After independence, Kripalani chose a different path by becoming one of the founders of the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP). His political career extended to being elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952, 1957, 1963, and 1967 as a member of the Praja Socialist Party. Notably, he moved the first-ever No confidence motion in the Lok Sabha in 1963, immediately after the India-China War (1962).
Metaphorically, while his wife Sucheta Kripalani, a Congress leader, became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1963, marking the first instance for any woman in the country, Acharya himself was actively opposing the Congress. He was a critic of both Nehru’s policies and Indira Gandhi’s rule and was arrested during the Emergency in 1975.
Legacy
Acharya Kripalani’s legacy is encapsulated in his posthumously published autobiography in 2004, titled ‘My Times’. The book reveals the life-journey of this remarkable personality who lived a life dedicated to education, environment, and the nation.
The contribution of Acharya Kripalani is still remembered today, with the Prime Minister paying tributes to him on his birth anniversary, thus echoing his enduring relevance in contemporary India.