From Socialism To Sarvodaya

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From Socialism To Sarvodaya After long deliberation I have decided to write you this letter. It has not been easy for me to do it. Because it is never easy to cut oneself away from an association of a life-time. We have worked together, and together have we suffiered imprisonment, lived through the adventures of the underground, and tasted the ashes of independence.

We have all far to travel yet. But I, on my part at least, find myself at a point of the journey where I must decide to part company and walk it alone. It would have gladdened my heart beyond measure had I been able to persuade you to come along with me, but I realise that that is not possible at least for the present. I hope, however, that our paths will often meet and that at the journey’s end they will merge together. We may not live to see that consummation ourselves, but I feel confident that if the world were ever to reach the port of peace and freedom and brotherhood, socialism must eventually merge into sarvodaya.

It was four years ago at the Bodh Gaya Sarvodaya Sammelan that I decided to give up politics. But I had continued to be a member of the PSP, though apart from attending an occasional meeting or offering an occasional advice I took no part in the activities of the Party. Sometime before the last General Elections I came to the decision that I should give up even the sleeping membership of the PSP. But Acharyaji was ill and I did not want to take the step without discussing the matter with him. To the great misfortune of this country and of the socialist cause, Acharya Narendra Deva passed away. It was a staggering blow to the PSP, which had already been weakened by a split.

Leading comrades, therefore, pleaded with me not to announce my resignation till the elections were over. I agreed, but it was understood that soon after the elections the announcement would be made. The delay in doing this has been due entirely to the fact that I was anxious to place before you and before the country generally the reasons that led me to take such a drastic step-i.e., a step that was natural to me but that appears so drastic to others. Almost every day some one or another raises the question with me why at all should I have given up politics. The faith and hope that people seem to repose in politics appear pitiable to me, but I find it difficult to explain to everyone individually the rationale of my action. I am attempting to do so here.