Jayaprakash Narayan

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Jayaprakash Narayan (October 11, 1902 - October 8, 1979), known widely as JP, was born in Bihar and completed his higher studies at USA. After returning to India, he joined the Indian National Congress with blessings from M.K. Gandhi. During the freedom struggle for India, he was arrested and thrown into jail several times by the British. He won particular fame during the Quit India movement.

After Mahatma Gandhi's death in 1948, JP Narayan joined Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan campaign, which promoted distributing land to Harijans (untouchables). Initially a defender of physical force, JP was won over to Gandhi's position on nonviolence and advocated the use of satyagrahas in the Bihar peasants' struggle.

He was a great believer in Marxist and socialist parties, and it was under his guidance that the Janata Party was formed. Janata Party was voted into power in 1977, and was the first non-Congress party to form a government at the Centre.

He has written several books and he promoted ideas of Hindu revivalism. In recognition of his social work, he received the Bharat Ratna award in 1998 posthumously.