ISBN: 81-7508-239-9 

Vol. No: 693 

There was nothing in Jayaprakash’s early environment to indicate the extraordinary and variegated path his life was to take. His father was a revenue official in Bihar, an enlightened man who always had plenty of books in his home. He sympathised with the Congress demand for self-rule, but took no active part in it. Jayaprakash was an avid reader and his wide reading was an important factor in shaping his intellect. He was an excellent student and did very well at both school and college. When he was still a schoolboy, Jayaprakash committed his first act of rebellion – he disobeyed a rule because he considered it to be unjust – and he willingly paid the price of rebellion. To fight against injustice without considerations of personal safety, was henceforth to be the guiding principle of his life. During the struggle against the British, he told the judge who tried him for treason, that he would not accept “certain laws of a foreign government established by force in this country.” JP worked steadily for the people. He refused to accept any official position. He had no desire for wealth. He made mistakes, for he was only human, but he was incorruptible. There was one distinguishing trait in JP’s character: he found it impossible to be silent in the presence of any act of injustice. It was not that he was bothered by unjust actions against him personally. His was a struggle to discover what constituted justice. He was concerned with fundamental morality and all his life was spent in illuminating the truth. How befitting it was, therefore, that years later he was hailed by the crowds, who chanted—Andhere me ek Prakash—Jayaprakash, Jayaprakash. In the enveloping darkness, there is only one light, Jayaprakash.