Department of History in Vidyant Hindu P.G. College, Lucknow University, Lucknow.
Acharya Narendra Dev's maiden venture into the field of politics took place around 1916, when he in alliance with Lokmanya Tilak opened a branch of the Home Rule League at Faizabad. He was elected as it's secretary and it was in his capacity as the secretary, Narendra Dev delivered his first speech in a meeting organized to oppose the incarceration of the Ali Brothers by the government. His initial feelings were that of nervousness and apprehension, but he somehow overcame them and conveyed his views, which were appreciated. He met Jawaharlal Nehru in 1921 at Akbarpur where Nehru invited Narendra Dev to teach at the Kashi Vidyapeeth. At the Vidyapeeth, Narendra Dev had the unique opportunity of combining teaching with politics. He interacted freely with the students and did political work together. After being associated with the Indian National Congress for a considerable period of time, Narendra lost faith in it's policies and programmes which ultimately paved the way for the birth of the Congress Socialist Party. Acharya Narendra Dev had no regrets about parting company with the Congress. As far as he was concerned, the cause that had inspired him to enter politics was dearer to him than political power itself. He looked upon power, not as an end itself, but as a means to bring about social change which would further assist in transforming the society for the better.
