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{{Short description|Indian Social Reformer}}{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Short description|Indian social reformer (1916–2010)}}
{{Fanpov|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[Bharat Ratna]] <br/> Rashtra Rishi
| name               = Nanaji Deshmukh
| name = Nanaji Deshmukh
| image               = Nanaji Deshmukh 2017 stamp of India.jpg
| image = Nanaji Deshmukh 2017 stamp of India.jpg
| caption             = Deshmukh on a 2017 stamp of India
| caption = Nanaji Deshmukh on a 2017 stamp of India
| office             = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| office = Member of Parliament, [[Lok Sabha]]
| constituency       = [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|Nominated]]
| constituency = [[Balrampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Balrampur]], Uttar Pradesh
| term_start         = 22 November 1999
| term_start = 1977
| term_end           = 21 November 2005
| term_end = 1979<ref>{{cite book|title=Lok Sabha condoles Nanaji Deshmukh's death|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/lok-sabha-condoles-nanaji-deshmukh-s-death/story-Yv59z9urpxi4Mt9fUfgqaI.html|publisher=The Hindustantimes|access-date=10 March 2010}}</ref>
| predecessor         =  
| predecessor = Chandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
| successor           =  
| successor = Chandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
| office2             =  
<!--Nominated Rajyasabha Member-->| office2 = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency2       =  
| constituency2 = [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|Nominated]]
| term_start2         =  
| term_start2 = 1999
| term_end2           =  
| term_end2 = 2005
| office3             =  
<!-- MLA Naranpura -->| office3 =  
| term_start3         =  
| term_start3 =  
| term_end3           =  
| term_end3 =  
| constituency3       = <!-- MLA Sarkhej -->
| constituency3 = <!-- MLA Sarkhej -->
| office4             =  
| office4 =  
| term_start4         =  
| term_start4 =  
| term_end4           =  
| term_end4 =  
| predecessor4       =  
| predecessor4 =  
| constituency4       =  
| constituency4 =  
| birthname           = Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh
| birthname = Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh
| birth_date         = {{birth date |df=yes|1916|10|11}}
| birth_date = {{birth date |df=yes|1916|10|11}}
| birth_place         = [[Parbhani District|Kadoli]], [[Hyderabad State]], [[British Raj|British India]] <br /> {{small|(present-day [[Maharashtra]], India)}}
| birth_place = Kadoli, <br>[[Parbhani District]],<br>[[Hyderabad State]] <br>[[British Raj|British India]]<br>(Present day:<br>Kadoli,<br>[[Hingoli District]],<br>[[Maharashtra]],<br>[[Republic of India]])
| nationality         = Indian
| nationality = Indian
| party               = [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]]
| party = [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]]
| awards             = [[File:Bharat Ratna Ribbon.svg|35px]] [[Bharat Ratna]] (January 2019) <br />
| awards = [[File:Bharat Ratna Ribbon.svg|35px]] [[Bharat Ratna]] (January 2019) <br />
[[File:Padma Vibhushan Ribbon.svg|35px]] [[Padma Vibhushan]] (1999)
[[File:IND Padma Vibhushan BAR.png|35px]] [[Padma Vibhushan]] (1999)
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2010|02|27|1916|10|11}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2010|02|27|1916|10|11}}
| death_place         = [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh|Chitrakoot]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], India
| death_place = [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh|Chitrakoot]],<br >[[Satna District]],<br>[[Madhya Pradesh]],<br>India
| children           =  
| children =  
| alma_mater         = [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani]]
| alma_mater = [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani|BITS Pilani]]
| office1            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| termstart1          = 1977
| termend1            = 1980
| predecessor1        = Chandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
| successor1          = Chandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
| constituency1      = [[Balrampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh]]
}}
}}
'''Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh''' better known as '''Nanaji Deshmukh''' (11 October 1916 – 27 February 2010) was a social reformer and politician from India. He worked in the fields of education, health, and rural self-reliance. He was posthumously awarded the [[Bharat Ratna]], India's highest civilian award in 2019 by [[Government of India]]. He was a leader of the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] and also a member of the [[Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bharat-ratna-pranab-mukherjee-bhupen-hazarika-nanaji-deshmukh-ram-nath-kovind-republic-day-2019/354087 | title=Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika | publisher=Times Now | date=25 January 2019 | access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Who was Nanaji Deshmukh?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-nanaji-deshmukh-4884617/|newspaper=The Indian Express|access-date=11 October 2017}}</ref>
'''Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh''' ({{Pronunciation|Nanaji_Deshmukh.wav|help=no}}; 11 October 1916 – 27 February 2010), better known as '''Nanaji Deshmukh''', was an Indian social activist and politician. He worked in the fields of education, health, and rural self-reliance. He was posthumously awarded the [[Bharat Ratna]], India's highest civilian award in 2019 by the [[Government of India]]. He was a leader of the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] (BJS), the precursor to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), alongside being a member of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] [[Hindutva]] [[paramilitary]] organisation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bharat-ratna-pranab-mukherjee-bhupen-hazarika-nanaji-deshmukh-ram-nath-kovind-republic-day-2019/354087 | title=Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika | publisher=Times Now | date=25 January 2019 | access-date=25 January 2019 | archive-date=31 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133139/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bharat-ratna-pranab-mukherjee-bhupen-hazarika-nanaji-deshmukh-ram-nath-kovind-republic-day/354087 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Who was Nanaji Deshmukh?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-nanaji-deshmukh-4884617/|newspaper=The Indian Express|access-date=11 October 2017}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying floral tributes to Nanaji Deshmukh, on the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Nanaji Deshmukh, at IARI, New Delhi.jpg|thumb|220px|right|The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying floral tributes to Nanaji Deshmukh, on the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Nanaji Deshmukh, at IARI, New Delhi on 11 October 2017]]
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying floral tributes to Nanaji Deshmukh, on the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Nanaji Deshmukh, at IARI, New Delhi.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Prime minister Narendra Modi paying floral tributes to Deshmukh on the birth centenary celebrations, at IARI, New Delhi on 11 October 2017]]
Nanaji was born on 11 October 1916 into a [[Marathi people|Marathi]]-speaking [[Deshastha Brahmin]] family<ref>{{cite book|title=New Quest, Issues 25–30|year = 1981|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bpctAAAAIAAJ|publisher=The Indian Association for Cultural Freedom|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|publisher=Primus Books|year=2010|page=194|isbn=978-1849041386}}</ref>
Nanaji was born on 11 October 1916 into a [[Marathi people|Marathi]] ''[[Deshastha Brahmin]]'' family<ref>{{cite book|title=New Quest, Issues 25–30|year = 1981|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bpctAAAAIAAJ|publisher=The Indian Association for Cultural Freedom|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|publisher=Primus Books|year=2010|page=194|isbn=978-1849041386}}</ref> in [[Parbhani district]], [[Hyderabad State]], [[British Raj|British India]]. He worked as a vegetable seller to raise money for his education.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|publisher= Bhartiya Janata Party|year=2005|page=459}}</ref>
at [[Kadoli, Maharashtra|Kadoli]], which is a small town in the [[Hingoli]] district. He worked as a vegetable seller to raise money for his education.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|publisher= Bhartiya Janata Party|year=2005|page=459}}</ref>


He went to high school in [[Sikar]], where the Raoraja of [[Sikar]] gave him a scholarship. He studied in [[Pilani|Birla college (Now BITS Pilani)]] ). In the same year, he also joined the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS).<ref>{{cite book|title=Architect of A Philosophy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CYRCDwAAQBAJ|author=Preeti Trivedi|date = December 2017|page=37|publisher=Bhartiya Sahitya Inc|isbn = 9781613016381|access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>
He went to high school in [[Sikar]], where he was given a scholarship. He studied in Birla College.<ref>{{cite book|title=Architect of A Philosophy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CYRCDwAAQBAJ|author=Preeti Trivedi|date = December 2017|page=37|publisher=Bhartiya Sahitya Inc|isbn = 9781613016381|access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> As a child, he was inspired by [[Bal Gangadhar Tilak]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Tiwari |first=Vaibhav |date=25 January 2019 |title=All You Need To Know About Nanaji Deshmukh: 10 Facts |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bharat-ratna-award-2019-all-you-need-to-know-about-nanaji-deskhmukh-10-facts-1983435 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>


Though born in Maharashtra, the fields of his activities were Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The then RSS chief [[M. S. Golwalkar]] sent him to Gorakhpur (U.P) as "[[RSS pracharak|pracharak]]" (full-time functionary). He rose to be the ''Saha Prant Pracharak'' of the whole of Uttar Pradesh (which has now become the eighth ''prant'' of RSS).<ref>{{cite book|title=Nanaji Deshmukh, Sangh ideologue who established RSS in UP (Profile)|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/nanaji-deshmukh-sangh-ideologue-who-established-rss-in-up--profile/1465754|publisher=Outlook India|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref>
Then RSS chief [[M. S. Golwalkar]] sent him to Gorakhpur (U.P) as ''Pracharak'' (full-time functionary). He rose to be the ''Saha Prant Pracharak'' of the whole of Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{cite book|title=Nanaji Deshmukh, Sangh ideologue who established RSS in UP (Profile)|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/nanaji-deshmukh-sangh-ideologue-who-established-rss-in-up--profile/1465754|publisher=Outlook India|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref>


== RSS volunteer ==
== RSS volunteer ==
[[File:The Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat presenting Shri Naresh Samata Puraskar to Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on April 8, 2006.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The Vice President, [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]] presenting Shri Nanesh Samata Puraskar to Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on 8 April 2006.]]
[[File:The Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat presenting Shri Naresh Samata Puraskar to Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on April 8, 2006.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The Vice President, [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]] presenting Shri Nanesh Samata Puraskar to Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on 8 April 2006.]]
Deshmukh became inspired by [[Lokamanya Tilak|Bal Gangadhar Tilak]] and his nationalist ideology, as well as showing an acquired interest in social service and activities. His family was in close contact with [[Dr. K. B. Hedgewar|Keshav Baliram Hedgewar]] who was a regular visitor to Deshmukh's family. He could discern potential in Nanaji and encouraged him to attend [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]] ''[[shakha]]s''.<ref>{{cite book|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Bharatiya Janata Party|page=459|year=2005|quote=Nanaji family was in close contact with Dr. Hedgewar who was a regular visitor to the family of Nanaji.}}</ref>
Deshmukh's family had always had been in close contact with [[K. B. Hedgewar]], the founder of the RSS and an activist for [[Hindutva]], a Hindu nationalist ideology.<ref>{{cite book|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Bharatiya Janata Party|page=459|year=2005|quote=Nanaji family was in close contact with Dr. Hedgewar who was a regular visitor to the family of Nanaji.}}</ref>


In 1940, after Hedgewar's death, many youngsters inspired by him joined the RSS in [[Maharashtra]]. Deshmukh was among those who joined the RSS devoting their whole life in service to the nation. He was sent to [[Uttar Pradesh]] as a [[Pracharak]]. At [[Agra]], he met [[Deen Dayal Upadhyaya]] for the first time. Later, Deshmukh went to [[Gorakhpur]] as a pracharak where he took great pains to introduce Sangh ideology in the eastern UP. It was not an easy task at that time as the Sangh had no funds to meet even day-to-day expenses. He had to stay in a ''[[Dharamshalas|Dharmashala]]'' but had to keep on changing ''Dharmashalas'' as no one was allowed to stay there for more than three days consecutively. Ultimately, he was given shelter by [[Baba Raghavdas]] on the condition that he would also cook meals for him.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04JwBgAAQBAJ&pg=PP5|title=Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya|author=Anil Kumar 'Salil'|date=January 0101|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|page=5|isbn=9789351863519}}</ref>
In 1940, after Hedgewar's death, Deshmukh joined the RSS. He was sent to [[Uttar Pradesh]] as a ''Pracharak''. At [[Agra]], he met [[Deendayal Upadhyaya]], the leader of the BJS. Later, he had to stay in a ''[[Dharamshala (type of building)|Dharmashala]]'' but had to keep on changing ''Dharmashalas'' as no one was allowed to stay there for more than three days consecutively. Ultimately, he was given shelter by Baba Raghavdas, reportedly on condition that he would cook meals for him.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04JwBgAAQBAJ&pg=PP5|title=Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya|author=Anil Kumar 'Salil'|date=January 1, 2021|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|page=5|isbn=9789351863519}}</ref>


Within three years, his hard work bore fruits and almost 250 ''[[Sangh Shakha]]s'' commenced in and around Gorakhpur. Nanaji always laid great emphasis on education. He established India's first ''[[Saraswati Shishu Mandir]]'' at [[Gorakhpur]] in 1950.<ref name="TNIE1" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|publisher=Primus Books|year=2010|page=193|isbn=978-1849041386}}</ref>
Within three years, almost 250 ''[[Sangh Shakha]]s'' commenced in and around Gorakhpur. He established India's first ''[[Vidya Bharati]]'', the educational wing of the RSS, in [[Gorakhpur]] in 1950.<ref name="TNIE1" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC|publisher=Primus Books|year=2010|page=193|isbn=978-1849041386}}</ref>


When in 1947, the RSS decided to launch two journals ''[[Rashtradharma]]'', ''[[Panchjanya (magazine)|Panchjanya]]'' and a newspaper called ''Swadesh'', Shri [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] was assigned the responsibility of the editor and [[Deen Dayal Upadhyaya]] was made the ''[[Margdharshak]]'' with Nanaji as the managing director. It was a challenging task as the organisation was hard up for money to bring out the publications, yet it did never dampen their spirits and these publications gained popularity and recognition because of their strong nationalistic content.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya: An inquest, introductory part|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VsS1AAAAIAAJ|quote=its auspices were published the magazine 'Rashtra Dharma', the weekly ' Panchajanya' and the daily 'Swadesh'. Of these the last two were edited by Panditji. Nanaji Deshmukh was the managing director of publication|author=Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi|publisher=Suruchi Prakashan|page=9|year=1988}}</ref>
When in 1947, the RSS decided to launch two journals (''Rashtradharma'' and ''[[Panchjanya (magazine)|Panchjanya]]'') as well as a newspaper, ''Swadesh'', Deshmukh was given the role of the managing director.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya: An inquest, introductory part|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VsS1AAAAIAAJ|quote=its auspices were published the magazine 'Rashtra Dharma', the weekly ' Panchajanya' and the daily 'Swadesh'. Of these, the last two were edited by Panditji. Nanaji Deshmukh was the managing director of publication|author=Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi|publisher=[[Suruchi Prakashan]]|page=9|year=1988}}</ref>


[[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s assassination led to imposition of ban on the RSS and publication work came to a grinding halt. A different strategy was adopted keeping the ban in mind and Deshmukh was the brain behind underground publication work by the RSS those days.<ref>{{cite book|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Bharatiya Janata Party|page=459|year=2005|quote=A different strategy was adopted keeping the ban in mind and Nanaji was the brain behind underground publication work by the RSS those days.}}</ref>
Following the [[assassination of Mahatma Gandhi]] in 1948 by [[Nathuram Godse]], who has connections with the RSS, the organisation faced significant political backlash, culminating in a government-imposed ban. In response to this political crackdown, the organisation adopted a more covert approach to continue disseminating its ideological materials. Deshmukh emerged as a key figure during this period, playing a central role in orchestrating underground publication efforts.<ref>{{cite book|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Bharatiya Janata Party|page=459|year=2005|quote=A different strategy was adopted keeping the ban in mind and Nanaji was the brain behind underground publication work by the RSS those days.}}</ref>


== Political life ==
== Political life ==
{{More footnotes|date=January 2019|section}}
When the ban on the RSS was lifted and the BJS came into being, Deshmukh was asked by Golwalkar to take charge of the party in [[Uttar Pradesh]] as a general secretary.<ref>{{cite book|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Bharatiya Janata Party|year=2005|page=459}}</ref>
When the ban was lifted and it was decided to have a political organisation, [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] came into being. Deshmukh was asked by Golwalkar to take charge of Bharatiya Jana Sangh in [[Uttar Pradesh]] as its general secretary.<ref>{{cite book|title=BJP Today, Volume 14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGmOAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Bharatiya Janata Party|year=2005|page=459}}</ref>


In Uttar Pradesh, BJS gained strength from Upadhyaya's vision, [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]'s oratory skills and Deshmukh's organizational work and it emerged as an important player in the state politics. Deshmukh always shared good relations not only with his party colleagues but also with his opponents. Gupta, who suffered many defeats at the hands of Deshmukh, yet continued to have great respect for him and called him 'Nana Phadanvis '. His relations with Dr. [[Ram Manohar Lohia]] changed the course of Indian politics. Once he invited Lohia in BJS ''karaykarta sammelan'' where he met Upadhyaya for the first time and this association brought the BJS closer to other socialist parties in exposing the Congress and its misrule. Lohia and Deshmukh's association led to the first non-Congress coalition government in Uttar Pradesh after the 1967 state assembly election<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theprint.in/india/nanaji-deshmukh-key-architect-of-janata-party-who-quit-politics-to-transform-rural-india/521300/}}</ref>
Deshmukh's groundwork was a great help in strengthening the BJS at the grassroots.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cmsadmin.amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes-detail.htm?519|title=Nanaji Deshmukh- Amrit Mahotsav|date=27 December 2021}}</ref> His relations with [[Ram Manohar Lohia]] helped bring the BJS closer to other socialist parties in the country. Lohia and Deshmukh's association led to the first non-[[Indian National Congress|Congress]] coalition government in [[Uttar Pradesh]] after the [[1967 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1967 state elections]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theprint.in/india/nanaji-deshmukh-key-architect-of-janata-party-who-quit-politics-to-transform-rural-india/521300/|title=Nanaji Deshmukh — key architect of Janata Party, who quit politics to transform rural India |date=11 October 2020 }}</ref>


Desmukh actively participated in [[Bhoodan]] Movement started by [[Vinoba Bhave]].<ref name="TNIE1" />
Later, [[Morarji Desai]], who became the prime minister heading the [[Janata Party]] government offered him the Cabinet portfolio of Industry, but Deshmukh declined the offer. Deshmukh had won in the 1977 election held after revocation of [[The Emergency (India)|the Emergency]] with a comfortable margin from the Balrampur [[Lok Sabha]] constituency of Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="TNIE1">{{cite web |date=11 October 2022 |title=Who was Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh? All you need to know about him |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/who-was-bharat-ratna-nanaji-deshmukh-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-social-reformer/articleshow/94774996.cms |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>


Later, Narayan himself and [[Morarji Desai]], who became the Prime Minister heading the [[Janata Party]] Government offered him the Cabinet portfolio of Industry, but Deshmukh spurned the overture. Deshmukh had won in the 1977 election held after revocation of the Emergency with a comfortable margin from Balrampur [[Lok Sabha]] constituency of Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="TNIE1" />
He was nominated to the [[Rajya Sabha]] by the NDA coalition government, under prime minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/nanaji-deshmukh-inspired-many-bjp-leaders-harshwardhan-khare/story-SlpRs0H8tvtNCWNOPZmcLM.html|title=The influencer: Why Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh’s politico-social leanings impacted India|date=27 January 2019}}</ref>
 
When Narayan gave the call for "Total Revolution" Deshmukh responded by giving total support to this movement.<ref name="TNIE1">[http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article216806.ece Social activist Nanaji Deshmukh dead]. ''[[The New Indian Express]]''. 28 February 2010</ref>
 
He was nominated to [[Rajya Sabha]] by the NDA Government in the year 1999 in recognition of his services to the nation.<ref name="TNIE1" />


== Social work ==
== Social work ==
[[File:The Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat conferring the 'Dnyaneswar Award' to noted & veteran social worker Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on June 1, 2005.jpg|thumb|220px|right|The Vice President Shri [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]] conferring the 'Dnyaneswar Award' to noted & veteran social worker Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on 1 June 2005.]]
[[File:The Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat conferring the 'Dnyaneswar Award' to noted & veteran social worker Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on June 1, 2005.jpg|thumb|220px|right|The Vice President Shri [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]] conferring the 'Dnyaneswar Award' to noted & veteran social worker Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on 1 June 2005.]]
After retirement from active politics Deshmukh then served Deendayal Research Institute that he himself had established way back in 1969.<ref name="TNIE1" />
Following his retirement from active political life, Nanaji Deshmukh dedicated himself to the work of the Deendayal Research Institute, an organisation he had founded in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/pm-pays-tributes-to-bharat-ratna-nanaji-deshmukh-on-birth-anniversary-who-is-this-politician-turned-social-activist-11423331.html|title=PM pays tributes to Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on birth anniversary: Who is this politician-turned-social activist|date=11 October 2022}}</ref>
 
He did work towards the anti-poverty and minimum needs programme. Other areas of his work were agriculture and cottage industry, rural health and rural education. Deshmukh assumed chairmanship of the institute after leaving politics and devoted all his time to building up the institute. He was also instrumental in carrying out social restructuring programme in over 500 villages of both [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] states of India.<ref name="TNIE1" /> He also published the journal "Manthan" (introspection) which was edited by K.R. Malkani for many years.


Deshmukh did social work in [[Gonda district|Gonda]] (U.P.), [[Balrampur district, Uttar Pradesh|Balrampur]] and [[Beed district|Beed]] (Maharashtra). The motto of his project was {{transl|hi|Har hath ko denge kaam, har khet ko denge paanee}}.
He did work towards the anti-poverty and minimum needs programme. Other areas of his work were agriculture and cottage industry, rural health and rural education. Deshmukh assumed chairmanship of the institute after leaving politics and devoted all his time to building up the institute. He was also instrumental in carrying out social restructuring programme in over 500 villages of both [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] states of India.<ref name="TNIE1" />


He also established [[Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya|Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya]] in [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh|Chitrakoot]], India's first rural University, and served as its Chancellor.<ref name="TNIE1" /> Nanaji implemented the philosophy of integral humanism to improve the living standards of more than 150 villages of bundelkhand.
He also established [[Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya|Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya]] in [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh|Chitrakoot]], India's first rural University, and served as its Chancellor.<ref name="TNIE1" />


== Appreciation and recognition ==
== Awards and recognition ==


He was awarded highest civilian award [[Bharat Ratna]] in 2019 (Posthumously) , and second highest civilian award [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 1999.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121023083707/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-10-19/lucknow/27225871_1_abdul-kalam-principal-scientific-advisor-human-resources Utilise human resources judiciously: Kalam]. ''Times of India''. 19 October 2001</ref>
Deshmukh was awarded India's second highest civilian award, the [[Padma Vibhushan]], in 1999, by Vajpayee's BJP government.<ref name=":0" /> In 2019, he was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian award, the [[Bharat Ratna]], by Narendra Modi's BJP government.<ref>{{cite web |date=25 January 2019 |title=Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bharat-ratna-pranab-mukherjee-bhupen-hazarika-nanaji-deshmukh-ram-nath-kovind-republic-day-2019/354087 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831133139/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bharat-ratna-pranab-mukherjee-bhupen-hazarika-nanaji-deshmukh-ram-nath-kovind-republic-day/354087 |archive-date=31 August 2020 |access-date=25 January 2019 |publisher=Times Now}}</ref>


== Death ==
== Death ==
Deshmukh died on 27 February 2010 in the premises of [[Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya|Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya]] that he established. He was unwell for some time due to geriatric problems and had refused to be taken to Delhi for treatment. He bequeathed his body to Dadhichi Dehdaan Sanstha of New Delhi which was accepted, and his body was sent to [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]] for [[medical research]]. His body was sent by road up to [[Satna]], Madhya Pradesh, and hundreds of people and local residents accompanied this last procession to Satna. From Satna, his body was carried by a chartered plane to New Delhi. In New Delhi, his body was kept for few hours at Keshav Sadan (Delhi headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh), and after that the body was donated to AIIMS with the help of Dadhichi Dehdan Sanstha.<ref name="TNIE1" />
Deshmukh died on 27 February 2010 in the premises of [[Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya|Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya]] that he established. He was unwell for some time due to old age and had refused to be taken to Delhi for treatment. He [[Devise and bequeath|bequeathed]] his body to the Dadhichi Dehdaan Sanstha of New Delhi, and so his body was sent to the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]] for [[medical research]].<ref name="TNIE1" />


== See also ==
== See also ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Nanaji Deshmukh}}
{{Commons category|Nanaji Deshmukh}}
* [https://trendingnewswala.online/modern-chanakya-nanaji-deshmuk/ Nanaji Deshmukh Details]
* [http://164.100.47.194/loksabha/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/2357.htm Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]
* [http://164.100.47.194/loksabha/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/2357.htm Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]
* [http://www.bjp.org/today/aug_0105/Aug_p_25.htm Bharatiya Janata Party]
* [http://www.bjp.org/today/aug_0105/Aug_p_25.htm Bharatiya Janata Party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030226/http://www.bjp.org/today/aug_0105/Aug_p_25.htm |date=28 September 2007 }}
* [http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=9565 Government of India award citation]
* [http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=9565 Government of India award citation]
* [http://www.chitrakoot.org Deendayal Research Institute]
* [http://www.chitrakoot.org Deendayal Research Institute] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830043517/http://www.chitrakoot.org/ |date=30 August 2009 }}


{{Bharat Ratna}}
{{Bharat Ratna}}
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[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:People from Hingoli district]]
[[Category:People from Hingoli district]]
[[Category:6th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1977–1979]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Janata Party politicians]]
[[Category:Janata Party politicians]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Jana Sangh politicians]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Jana Sangh politicians]]
[[Category:Indians imprisoned during the Emergency (India)]]
[[Category:Indian people imprisoned during the Emergency (India)]]
[[Category:People from Marathwada]]
[[Category:People from Marathwada]]
[[Category:Social workers]]
[[Category:Social workers from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Social workers from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Bharat Ratna]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Bharat Ratna]]

Latest revision as of 21:15, 2 October 2025


Nanaji Deshmukh
Deshmukh on a 2017 stamp of India
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
22 November 1999 – 21 November 2005
ConstituencyNominated
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1977–1980
Preceded byChandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
Succeeded byChandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
ConstituencyBalrampur, Uttar Pradesh
Personal details
Born
Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh

(1916-10-11)11 October 1916
Kadoli, Hyderabad State, British India
(present-day Maharashtra, India)
Died27 February 2010(2010-02-27) (aged 93)
Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, India
NationalityIndian
Political partyBharatiya Jana Sangh
Alma materBirla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
Awards Bharat Ratna (January 2019)
Padma Vibhushan (1999)

Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh (Template:Pronunciation; 11 October 1916 – 27 February 2010), better known as Nanaji Deshmukh, was an Indian social activist and politician. He worked in the fields of education, health, and rural self-reliance. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award in 2019 by the Government of India. He was a leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alongside being a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindutva paramilitary organisation.[1][2]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Prime minister Narendra Modi paying floral tributes to Deshmukh on the birth centenary celebrations, at IARI, New Delhi on 11 October 2017

Nanaji was born on 11 October 1916 into a Marathi Deshastha Brahmin family[3][4] in Parbhani district, Hyderabad State, British India. He worked as a vegetable seller to raise money for his education.[5]

He went to high school in Sikar, where he was given a scholarship. He studied in Birla College.[6] As a child, he was inspired by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.[7]

Then RSS chief M. S. Golwalkar sent him to Gorakhpur (U.P) as Pracharak (full-time functionary). He rose to be the Saha Prant Pracharak of the whole of Uttar Pradesh.[8]

RSS volunteer[edit | edit source]

The Vice President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat presenting Shri Nanesh Samata Puraskar to Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on 8 April 2006.

Deshmukh's family had always had been in close contact with K. B. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS and an activist for Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist ideology.[9]

In 1940, after Hedgewar's death, Deshmukh joined the RSS. He was sent to Uttar Pradesh as a Pracharak. At Agra, he met Deendayal Upadhyaya, the leader of the BJS. Later, he had to stay in a Dharmashala but had to keep on changing Dharmashalas as no one was allowed to stay there for more than three days consecutively. Ultimately, he was given shelter by Baba Raghavdas, reportedly on condition that he would cook meals for him.[10]

Within three years, almost 250 Sangh Shakhas commenced in and around Gorakhpur. He established India's first Vidya Bharati, the educational wing of the RSS, in Gorakhpur in 1950.[11][12]

When in 1947, the RSS decided to launch two journals (Rashtradharma and Panchjanya) as well as a newspaper, Swadesh, Deshmukh was given the role of the managing director.[13]

Following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 by Nathuram Godse, who has connections with the RSS, the organisation faced significant political backlash, culminating in a government-imposed ban. In response to this political crackdown, the organisation adopted a more covert approach to continue disseminating its ideological materials. Deshmukh emerged as a key figure during this period, playing a central role in orchestrating underground publication efforts.[14]

Political life[edit | edit source]

When the ban on the RSS was lifted and the BJS came into being, Deshmukh was asked by Golwalkar to take charge of the party in Uttar Pradesh as a general secretary.[15]

Deshmukh's groundwork was a great help in strengthening the BJS at the grassroots.[16] His relations with Ram Manohar Lohia helped bring the BJS closer to other socialist parties in the country. Lohia and Deshmukh's association led to the first non-Congress coalition government in Uttar Pradesh after the 1967 state elections.[17]

Later, Morarji Desai, who became the prime minister heading the Janata Party government offered him the Cabinet portfolio of Industry, but Deshmukh declined the offer. Deshmukh had won in the 1977 election held after revocation of the Emergency with a comfortable margin from the Balrampur Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh.[11]

He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the NDA coalition government, under prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in 1999.[18]

Social work[edit | edit source]

The Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat conferring the 'Dnyaneswar Award' to noted & veteran social worker Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, in New Delhi on 1 June 2005.

Following his retirement from active political life, Nanaji Deshmukh dedicated himself to the work of the Deendayal Research Institute, an organisation he had founded in 1969.[19]

He did work towards the anti-poverty and minimum needs programme. Other areas of his work were agriculture and cottage industry, rural health and rural education. Deshmukh assumed chairmanship of the institute after leaving politics and devoted all his time to building up the institute. He was also instrumental in carrying out social restructuring programme in over 500 villages of both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states of India.[11]

He also established Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya in Chitrakoot, India's first rural University, and served as its Chancellor.[11]

Awards and recognition[edit | edit source]

Deshmukh was awarded India's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 1999, by Vajpayee's BJP government.[7] In 2019, he was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, by Narendra Modi's BJP government.[20]

Death[edit | edit source]

Deshmukh died on 27 February 2010 in the premises of Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya that he established. He was unwell for some time due to old age and had refused to be taken to Delhi for treatment. He bequeathed his body to the Dadhichi Dehdaan Sanstha of New Delhi, and so his body was sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for medical research.[11]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika". Times Now. 25 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  2. ↑ "Who was Nanaji Deshmukh?". The Indian Express. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  3. ↑ New Quest, Issues 25–30. The Indian Association for Cultural Freedom. 1981. p. 8.
  4. ↑ Christophe Jaffrelot (2010). Religion, Caste, and Politics in India. Primus Books. p. 194. ISBN 978-1849041386.
  5. ↑ "BJP Today, Volume 14". Bhartiya Janata Party. 2005. p. 459.
  6. ↑ Preeti Trivedi (December 2017). Architect of A Philosophy. Bhartiya Sahitya Inc. p. 37. ISBN 9781613016381. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Tiwari, Vaibhav (25 January 2019). "All You Need To Know About Nanaji Deshmukh: 10 Facts". NDTV.
  8. ↑ Nanaji Deshmukh, Sangh ideologue who established RSS in UP (Profile). Outlook India. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  9. ↑ BJP Today, Volume 14. Bharatiya Janata Party. 2005. p. 459. Nanaji family was in close contact with Dr. Hedgewar who was a regular visitor to the family of Nanaji.
  10. ↑ Anil Kumar 'Salil' (1 January 2021). Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. Prabhat Prakashan. p. 5. ISBN 9789351863519.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 "Who was Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh? All you need to know about him". The Times of India. 11 October 2022.
  12. ↑ Christophe Jaffrelot (2010). Religion, Caste, and Politics in India. Primus Books. p. 193. ISBN 978-1849041386.
  13. ↑ Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi (1988). Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya: An inquest, introductory part. Suruchi Prakashan. p. 9. its auspices were published the magazine 'Rashtra Dharma', the weekly ' Panchajanya' and the daily 'Swadesh'. Of these, the last two were edited by Panditji. Nanaji Deshmukh was the managing director of publication
  14. ↑ BJP Today, Volume 14. Bharatiya Janata Party. 2005. p. 459. A different strategy was adopted keeping the ban in mind and Nanaji was the brain behind underground publication work by the RSS those days.
  15. ↑ BJP Today, Volume 14. Bharatiya Janata Party. 2005. p. 459.
  16. ↑ "Nanaji Deshmukh- Amrit Mahotsav". 27 December 2021.
  17. ↑ "Nanaji Deshmukh — key architect of Janata Party, who quit politics to transform rural India". 11 October 2020.
  18. ↑ "The influencer: Why Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh's politico-social leanings impacted India". 27 January 2019.
  19. ↑ "PM pays tributes to Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on birth anniversary: Who is this politician-turned-social activist". 11 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika". Times Now. 25 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2019.

External links[edit | edit source]

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