Democratic Socialism in India

by Vikas Kamat

During India's freedom movement, many leaders on the Left of the Indian National Congress organized themselves as the Congress Socialist Party. Their vision was to bring about a transformation of Indian society and improve the condition of the Indian labor force. Many leaders participated shoulder-to-shoulder with Congressmen in fighting the British.

The socialist movement also was prominent in providing leadership in liberation of Goa -- even after India's independence, Goa had continued under the Portuguese rule, and leaders like Lohia protested and courted arrest.

After India's freedom, the socialists launched Praja Socialist Party (PSP) in 1952, this time opposing the Congress, which was assuming the position as the sole decision making authority of India.

Indira Gandhi manipulated the socialist movement to her advantage -- forging alliance when she needed their support and humiliating their agenda when it was inconvenient, leaving the movement weak. During the Emergency months, the socialist movement completely disintegrated as the socialists decided to merge with other non-Communist parties to form the Janata Party with a view to dislodging the ruling Congress from power.

After disintegration of the Janata Party in 1979, the socialist have been a scattered lot. A new socialist political force, Samajvadi Party was formed in 1992 has had scattered success in Indian polls.

The following is a pictorial exhibit featuring some rare photographs. Many posters featuring socialist propaganda are also included. These exhibit was possible thanks to the photographic works of V.N.O'key and his nephew who stored them and donated to Kamat Research Database.All credit goes to Kamat"s Potourri Democratic Socialism in India website..

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Democratic Socialism in India