Rammanohar Lohia was an exceptionally talented person. He had mastered different schools of social and political doctrines. He was deeply influenced by thinkers of the West. Prominent among them was Karl Marx. Mahatma Gandhi`s idea of Satyagraha had made a strong impact on India. Rammanohar Lohia was impressed by the way in which millions of unarmed Indians fought against the imperialist force of British. He advocated the realization of socialist ideals through Satyagraha.
Use of Non-Violence Address Social Issues
He firmly believed that the differences between the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor could be resolved by non-violent means. Huge mechanization may be useful in advanced regions like Europe and America. India is a land of teeming, millions. The biggest problem is to provide jobs for millions. Hence using small machinery is the only solution. There are, of course, differences between Capitalism and Communism, but both rely on large-scale use of heavy machines. Mere change of ownership does not bring about equality. The very idea of mechanised industry should be changed.
Promotion of Regional Languages
Rammanohar Lohia had definite views regarding Indian languages. English is a language known to a negligible minority. Hence Lohia strongly contended that it should no longer be used for purposes of administration. In a democracy the language of the people should be the language of the government. Only then the public can understand what the government does and nobody will be at a disadvantage for not knowing English.
The regional language should be the medium of instruction in schools and colleges. It is easier for children to learn through their own mother tongue. He felt that people who knew English began to think they are different from others. English Language could create a gulf between the intellectuals and the common man, he felt. So, the regional languages should be used in all walks of life. They should be given priority in courts, in the bazaar, and in all walks of life. These were the views of Rammanohar Lohia.
Welfare of Women Folks
More than half of our population comprises women, and most lived in pathetic conditions. Cooking food, breeding children and looking after her husband were main works of women. A woman is not considered equal to a man, such is the blind belief sustained through the ages. He felt jobs must be reserved for women in all walks of life, and they must be freed from the tyranny of homework. The latent talent of women should be brought to the limelight. Society does not progress as long as women remain oppressed, he believed. Society must be rid of deep-rooted beliefs and old practices. Beginning with women in villages every woman should be given justice. Rammanohar Lohia strove for this cause.
Diplomatic Views of Rammanohar Lohia
Rammanohar Lohia had earned fame as an expert in international affairs. He felt that India should not join the camp of either Russia or America. She must remain non-aligned. This, however, should not mean transferring India`s approval from one country to another. It was his view that the free countries of Asia and Africa should form a third force.
In his life span of 57 years Rammanohar Lohia suffered imprisonment twenty times. The government of free India imprisoned him as many as twelve times. As a staunch believer in Satyagraha he felt it was his duty to fight injustice, whether it was on a small scale or a big scale.
Lohia never had faith in violence. By nature as well as training he was non-violent. He abhorred destructive tendencies. He never lost patience. Time and again he made it clear that non-violence was not a facade for cowardice. It is our tradition as Indians to remain gentle for a century and than to pounce like a tiger in a matter of seconds. He advised people to hold their heads high always like human beings. He followed what he preached. He never bowed to any force on earth.
