Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said the country’s socialist movement began with Acharya Narendra Dev, describing him as a leading educationist, multilingual scholar and committed political leader. He said the SP was committed to following his path.Yadav was speaking at the 70th death anniversary of Acharya Narendra Dev held at his grave behind Moti Mahal on the banks of the Gomti.He said Acharya’s life reflected simplicity, purity and service to the nation, and that he defined socialism while fighting for the rights of farmers and labourers.Yadav said Acharya dedicated his life to education and socialism, served as Acharya of Kashi Vidyapeeth and as vice chancellor of Lucknow University and Banaras Hindu University, and was imprisoned several times during national service. He said Acharya had faith in the Indian Constitution and supported secularism and a democratic socialist system.Leader of opposition in the assembly Mata Prasad Pandey and SP national secretary and former cabinet minister Rajendra Chaudhary also paid tributes.A lecture on ‘Religious fundamentalism and the defeat of Indian culture’ was also organised by Acharya Narendra Dev Samajwadi Sansthan at National PG College. The keynote speaker was former minister (Madhya Pradesh) and former chancellor of ITM University, Gwalior, Rama Shankar Singh.In his address, Singh said Acharya had a strong belief in Indian culture and considered nationalism, democracy and socialism equally important.
