Madhu Limaye, full name: Madhukar Ramchandra Limaye, was an Indian socialist essayist and activist, particularly active in the 1970s. A follower of Ram Manohar Lohia and a fellow-traveller of George Fernandes, he was active in the Janata government that gained power at the Centre following the Emergency. He, with Raj Narain and Krishan Kant was also responsible for the collapse of the Morarji Desai-led Janata government installed by that coalition, by insisting that no member of the Janata Party could simultaneously be a member of an alternative social or political organisation. This attack on dual membership was directed specifically at members of the Janata Party who had been members of the Jan Sangh, and continued to be members of the right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Jan Sangh's ideological parent. The issue led to fall of the Janata government in 1979, and the destruction of the Janata coalition. In retirement, through the 1980s, he continued to write; he was especially caustic on Constitutional issues, where he set himself the task of defending the Constitution in the media against those who would seek to modify it to centralise power or to replace the Parliamentary system with a Presidential one, fearing a 'slow slide to despotism.'' He showed less antipathy to the memory of Indira Gandhi than could have been expected, reserving his anger for Jawaharlal Nehru, who he seemed to think "could have set a standard beyond reproach, but did not."
Family and early life
Madhu Limaye, son of Ramchandra Mahadev Limaye, was born in Pune on 1 May 1922. He was educated at the Fergusson College, Poona. He married Professor Champa Limaye and had one son. He was previously associated with the Indian National Congress, 1938—48 and the Congress Socialist Party, 1938—1948. His education was interrupted due to participation in the freedom movement. He was imprisoned for 4 years between 1940–45.
Socialist
Attended Socialist International’s Antwerp conference as a sole delegate of Indian Socialist Movement, 1947. Elected, Member National Executive of the Socialist Party at Nasik Conference, 1948. Joint Secretary, Socialist Party, 1949—52. Secretary Asian Socialist Bureau, Rangoon, 1953. Elected, Joint Secretary, Praja Socialist Party at its first Conference at Allahabad, 1953.
He lost General Elections to Lok Sabha from Munger in 1971 and Banka in 1980.
Janata Party
Played an active part in the JP movement and in an effort to create a united opposition party. He was detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act from July 1975 to February 1977 in various Madhya Pradesh Jails. Resigned in protest, from membership of the fifth Lok Sabha, on immoral extension of its term by Indira Gandhi through abuse of constitutional provisions about emergency. general secretary, Janata Party 1 May 1977–79. general secretary, Janata Party and Lok Dal,1979–82. Retired from active politics in 1982 after the formation of Lok Dal. Wrote more than 60 books in English, Hindi and Marathi.
He participated in the Goa liberation movement and was imprisoned in 1955. He wrote a book by name of 'Goa Liberation Movement and Madhu Limaye' as a prison diary. The book was published in 1996 on occasion of golden jubilee of the launch of the movement in 1946.
Madhu Limaye Elocution Competition
To commemorate his contribution to the parliamentary debate, every year Madhu Limaye inter-Collegiate Elocution Competition is organised in Kirti College on his death anniversary i.e. on 8 January. The competition is funded by “Madhu Limaye Smriti Nyas’ a trust formed by Late Smt. Champatai Limaye and is organised every year by Elocution and Debating Association of Kirti college,. The main purpose of this event is to make the college going students think and brood over the contemporary topics and current issues, which may not come in the realm of their textbooks. Madhu Limaye Memorial Rolling Trophy is awarded to the winning college. The competition is now exerting a favourable influence on student community. Kirti college has organised this competition relentlessly since last nine years.The purpose of this competition is to find out the truth about the chosen topic and vivisect the burning issue from all possible angles. The Coordinator of this elocution competition opines that the purpose of an elocution competition is to find out the truth about the chosen topic and vivisect the burning issue from all possible angles. It is certainly not intended merely for amusement of the audience, although it may add to the interest of the listeners to enliven the proceedings and sustain their interest in an otherwise serious subject. Students from degree college are eligible to participate in this competition..
