Guided by Nationalism, Principle of Antyodaya
Tarun Chugh
To give Indian politics and the country a new direction, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was founded on April 6, 1980. The vision of the party’s founding President, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is now being realized. The path of nationalism and service laid by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani has been taken to new heights by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
Throughout its 45-year political journey, the BJP has remained committed to the goal of making India a global leader. Dedication to the nation, strong determination and effective strategy has been the hallmarks of the party. The dream of constructing a grand temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram has been fulfilled. The vision of ‘One Nation, One Flag, One Constitution, One Leader’ was realized by abrogating Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring national unity and integrity.
To uphold the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Collective Effort, Inclusive Growth), the government abolished triple talaq, paving the way for the empowerment of Muslim women. Additionally, amendments to Waqf laws were passed in Parliament to integrate marginalized Muslim communities into the mainstream.
Although the BJP was officially established in 1980, its ideological roots date back to 1951, when there was no significant political alternative to the Congress. Despite initial challenges, the BJP continued its journey with a strong nationalist resolve. The party was founded with the objective of establishing cultural nationalism, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee became its first president. Even after securing only two seats in the 1984 elections, the BJP remained steadfast in its commitment to cultural nationalism and integral humanism, gradually gaining public acceptance.
The BJP has never been deterred by defeat, nor has it been overconfident in times of victory. The party has remained dedicated to public service, standing by the people in times of distress and respecting their decisions. For the BJP, the nation comes first, and nationalism is paramount.
The BJP’s ideology, “Integral Humanism,” was first introduced by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya in 1965. The party is not merely a political entity; it is a continuous ideological movement, a distinct work ethic, a dedicated cadre, and an organization based on public welfare policies.
When compared to other political parties, the BJP stands out as the only party that adheres to ethical political conduct. Its biggest strength is its dedicated network of grassroots workers spread across the country. The party’s character, conduct, and vision are entirely different from those of other parties. Cultural nationalism remains the BJP’s core principle. The vision of making India a strong and self-reliant nation is reflected in its nuclear policy and strategic programs.
India has always been a spiritual leader on the global stage, and the BJP is committed to restoring its ancient glory and prestige. The party envisions India as a prosperous and powerful nation, where the welfare of all sections of society is ensured. Unlike other parties, the BJP rejects the politics of appeasement and vote-bank tactics.
Through initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala, Ujala, Saubhagya, and Kisan Samman Nidhi, the BJP government is continuously working to bring the most disadvantaged sections of society into the mainstream.
Whenever the BJP has had the opportunity to govern, the poor and underprivileged have remained at the center of its policies. Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership, the party formed the government in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Today, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the most popular leader in the world, the BJP is serving the nation for the third consecutive term. With 180 million members, the BJP has become the largest political party in the world.
The BJP’s journey of progress has been shaped by the sacrifices and dedication of millions of party workers. On Foundation Day, we pay homage to all past presidents of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, whose struggles and contributions continue to inspire us. We remember and honor leaders such as Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Mauli Chandra Sharma, Prem Nath Dogra, Acharya Devaprasad Ghosh, Pitambar Das, Avasarala Rama Rao, Raghuveer, Bachhraj Vyas, Balraj Madhok, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. The contributions of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani have been pivotal in shaping the party’s identity.
Similarly, Nanaji Deshmukh, Sundar Singh Bhandari, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Kailashpati Mishra, Bhai Mahavir, and Vijaya Raje Scindia played crucial roles in strengthening the BJP through their wisdom and hard work. The tireless efforts of past BJP presidents, including Murli Manohar Joshi, Kushabhau Thakre, Bangaru Laxman, Jana Krishnamurthi, Venkaiah Naidu, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, and Amit Shah, have elevated the party to great heights.
Under the current leadership of Jagat Prakash Nadda, the BJP continues to progress and achieve new milestones. As we celebrate BJP’s Foundation Day, we extend our best wishes to all party workers and supporters with the inspiring words from the poetry of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
