As a natural outcome of his involvement in freedom struggle, he was made the Industries Minister for the State of Rajasthan, after independence. When he realized that it was impossible to adhere to his principles in a political situation, he opted out of politics and resigned.

In 1951, he established a Sarvodaya Ashram in Khemal, a hamlet in the deserts of Rajasthan. He became a Jeevandani – a person who dedicates his life to develop an ideal and peaceful society – and experimented in various ways to bring about a peacefully co-existing community. Never one to think of the self, but only of the peaceful co-existence of people, he participated in the Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave.

With his concern towards the welfare of the society, he dedicated himself to bring relief to the drought-hit Bihar in the late sixties. For a period of two years, he served as the Secretary General of Bihar Relief Committee.

As president of All India Sarva Seva Sangh of Wardha, he raised his voice against emergency, which led to his incarceration in jails across the country for nearly two years. After lifting of emergency and subsequent formation of a new Government, he was offered the second highest constitutional position in the country. Needless to say, he declined.

He edits ‘Satyagrah Ahimsa’, a monthly magazine and ‘Gramraj’, a weekly magazine. He has also authored several books on peace and non-violence. Internationally acclaimed as an exponent of peace and ahimsa, he has been invited in various capacities by countries like UK, USA, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Thailand, Lebanon and Egypt among others, to be part of their peace initiatives. His services have been recognized with the Jamnalal Bajaj Award and the Padma Bhushan.