G G Parikh Passes Away at 100: The Last of India’s Gandhian Socialists

On October 2, 2025, freedom fighter, Gandhian, and socialist stalwart Dr. G G Parikh passed away in Mumbai at the age of 100, bringing to an end a remarkable life deeply intertwined with India’s freedom movement, post-independence socialist politics, and grassroots development. Fittingly, Parikh’s death occurred on Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, whose ideals he embraced and lived by throughout his life. He was often referred to as the “Saint of the Socialists”, embodying simplicity, commitment, and moral courage.

Early Life and Education

• G G Parikh was born on December 30, 1924, in Surendranagar (then Wadhwan camp), Gujarat.
• His early education spanned Saurashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Mumbai, where he later pursued a career as a medical practitioner.
• However, his true calling was in activism and social reform, which became the hallmark of his century-long journey.

Role in the Freedom Movement and Beyond

• Parikh joined the Indian independence movement as a student and was arrested during the Quit India Movement in 1942, serving 10 months in prison.
• In 1946, he became a cadet member of the Congress Socialist Party, the left-wing of the Indian National Congress that later shaped the Janata and socialist movements in independent India.
• After independence, Parikh continued his activism, becoming president of the Bombay unit of the Students’ Congress in 1947, and contributing significantly to the student, trade union, and cooperative movements.

Voice of the Socialist Movement

• In the 1950s, Parikh took charge of the “Janata” weekly, a publication dedicated to spreading socialist ideas.
• His writings and speeches reflected his deep belief in economic justice, democratic values, and Gandhian ethics.
• He was among the key figures behind the Yusuf Meherally Centre, established in 1961 in Raigad district, Maharashtra, which became a hub for rural development, political education, and social innovation.
• Parikh remained associated with the centre throughout his life, mentoring generations of activists.

Resisting the Emergency: A Symbol of Moral Courage

• During the Emergency (1975–77) imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Parikh was again imprisoned, this time for resisting the suspension of democratic rights.
• His incarceration was symbolic of the socialist resistance to authoritarianism, and he emerged from it even more committed to civil liberties and democratic socialism.

A Legacy Rooted in Simplicity and Service

• Parikh’s legacy is not just political—it is deeply philosophical and moral.
• He championed consumer cooperatives, student welfare, rural empowerment, and non-violent resistance.
• Despite his many accomplishments, he lived a simple, Gandhian life, drawing strength from moral conviction rather than material power.

Key Takeaways

• G G Parikh was born in Surendranagar, Gujarat, in 1924, and died on October 2, 2025, aged 100.
• Participated in the Quit India Movement, imprisoned for 10 months in 1942.
• Member of the Congress Socialist Party (1946), active in student, trade union, and cooperative movements.
• Led Bombay Students’ Congress in 1947; edited Janata weekly from the 1950s.
• Co-founded the Yusuf Meherally Centre in Raigad, Maharashtra.