AMN /
Former president of Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS) and an activist of Rashtriya Swamyasewak Sangh (RSS) Balraj Madhok passed away today. He was 96. He was also founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Madhok, who was ill for last few days died at his residence in New Delhi. Madhok was born on February 25, 1920, in Skardu region of Jammu and Kashmir (now in Pakistan’s Gilgit Balitistan territory).
He founded the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1951. Madhok was also elected to the Lok Sabha in 1961.
While studying at Lahore, Madhok joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1938, which he found to be close to the Arya Samaj way of thinking. He became a pracharak (full-time worker) for the RSS in 1942 and was sent as a pracharak to Jammu and Kashmir for establishing the RSS there.
Along with Prem Nath Dogra, Madhok formed the Praja Parishad party in Jammu in November 1947.
Madhok moved to Delhi in 1948 and started teaching at the Panjab University College, which was established for the education of refugees from West Punjab. Later, he was a lecturer of history at the DAV College in Delhi affiliated to the Delhi University.
In 1951, Madhok launched the student union of the Sangh Parivar known as Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, ABVP.
In 1951, Madhok joined Shyama Prasad Mookerjee in the formation of what later become the political party of the Sangh Parivar, the Bharatiya Jan Sangh. The Bengal branch of the Jana Sangh was established by Mookerjee on 23 April 1951 and the Panjab and Delhi branch was established by Madhok a month later, on 27 May 1951.
Madhok served as the secretary of the Panjab branch and later, a member of the Working Committee of the national organisation. He was part of the RSS-dominated Working Committee of the Jana Sangh in 1954, which ensured the ouster of the traditional politician wing led by the President M. C. Sharma. The Delhi branch of the party was dissolved and then reconstituted with RSS pracharaks at the helm. Madhok continued to be active in the Delhi branch of Jana Sangh, and won the Lok Sabha seat for Delhi in 1961.
In 1966-67, Madhok became the President of the Jana Sangh. He led the party in the general elections of 1967, when the party won 35 seats in the Lok Sabha, its highest tally. Madhok tried to create a coalition of rightist forces along with the Swatantra Party. He saw the split in the Congress party in 1969 as an opportunity to expand the role of Jana Sangh.
However, the strategy was opposed by many. Madhok denounced what he called the party’s `leftist’ leanings and the influence of the RSS on its functioning. His stand led to his marginalisation in the party. In 1973, L. K. Advani, who became the president, expelled Madhok from the party for three years.
PM condoles the passing away of Shri Balraj Madhok
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has condoled the passing away of Balraj Madhok. “Balraj Madhok ji’s ideological commitment was strong and clarity of thought immense. He was selflessly devoted to the nation and society.
Had the good fortune of interacting with Balraj Madhok ji on many occasions. His demise is saddening. Condolences to his family. RIP”, the Prime Minister said.