Who championed the idea of 'Democratic Socialism'?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Ram Manohar Lohia
The socialists believed in the ideology of democratic socialism, which set them apart from both the Congress and the Communists, and Ram Manohar Lohia led those of them who increased their distance from and criticism of the Congress.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| – | – | – | 09-06 S1* 13-06 S3* 14-06 S2* 14-06 S3 16-06 S2* | – |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2026-27): “Socialist Party (SP) … The socialists believed in the ideology of democratic socialism which distinguished them both from the Congress as well as from the Communists. They criticised the Congress for favouring capitalists and landlords and for ignoring the workers and the peasants. But the socialists faced a dilemma when in 1955 the Congress declared its goal to be the socialist pattern of society. Thus it became difficult for the socialists to present themselves as an effective alternative to the Congress. Some of them, led by Rammanohar Lohia, increased their distance from and criticism of the Congress party. Some others like Asoka Mehta advocated a limited cooperation with the Congress.…” |