Mahant Digvijai Nath political profile

DIGVIJAI NATH, MAHANT Hindu Mahasabha, (Uttar Pradesh-Gorakhpur-1967)  b. at Udaipur (Mewar), Vaisakh Purnima, 1815 Saka, corresponding to year 1894; ed. at Gorakhpur; at the age of 4 years, both his parents having died, he was dedicated by his uncle to Mahatma Phoolnathji Maharaj of Shri Gorakshnath cult and was brought up at Gorakhpur on behalf of the Gorakshnath Temple; initiated into the Gorakshnath Sampradaya in 1932; organised the Akhil Bharat-varshiya Avdhut Bhesh Barahpanth Yogi Mahasabha; Participated in non-Cooperation movement in 1921 while a student at St. Andrews College, Gorakhpur and joined the Indian National Congress in 1921; joined the Hindu Mahasabha in 1937; arrested in Chaurichaura case in 1921 after having taken active part in it and was released later; organised boycott of the Simon Commission in 1928; opposed Gandhiji’s programme of boycotting the census operations in 1931; opposed the Communal Award in 1932; took active part in Delhi Shiv Mandir Satyagraha in 1939 and Hyderabad Satyagraha against the Nizam; in 1942 arrested under the Suspicion of being in contact with the Japanese and the Germans and other revolutionaries and was detained in prison; opposed the C.R. Formula and Cripps Mission proposal in 1945; arrested in Direct Action Movement against the U.P. Govt. on 1st August, 1947; suspected of complicity in Gandhiji’s murder in 1948, imprisoned for 9 months; worked as Office Secretary, General Secretary and Vice-President in the All India Hindu Mahasabha and presided over its Annual Session at Gwalior in 1961.

Social activities:  As an educationist, he has established a number of educational institutions in Gorakhpur district, including Maharana Pratap Inter College, Maharana Pratap Degree College, Maharana Pratap Mahila Degree College, Maharana Pratap Engineering Institute, Gorakshnath Higher Secondary School, Gorakshnath Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya and Darshan Shastra Mahavidyalaya, Shishu-Vihar for children; responsible for the establishment at the Gorakhpur University, as a Founder-member and Vice-President of its Foundation Society.

Favourite pastime and recreation:  Religious, cultural, educational and political activities, particularly discussing problems of Hindus and Akhand Hindustan.

Special interests:  Spread of education.

Books published:  ‘Yoga Rahasya’, ‘Nath Yoga’, ‘Philosophy of Gorakhnath’ and ‘Discourses on Hindu Spiritual Culture.

Travels abroad:  Nepal.

Permanent address:  Shri Guru Gorakhnath Mandir, Gorakhpur.U.P.