HISTORY
Congress
Sessions-XIII
45th
Session
KARACHI
1931
Sardar
Patel in his presidential address said, `Though there have
been aberrations, it is a fact beyond challenge that India
has given a singular proof to the world that mass non-violence
is no longer the idle dream of a visionary or a mere human
longing. It is a solid fact capable of infinite possibilities
for a humanity which is groaning, for want of faith, beneath
the weight of violence of which it has almost made a fetish.'
The
bravery and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh and his comrades was
admired by the Congress though it disapproved of political
violence. Condemned execution of Bhagat Singh and others
as an act of wanton vengeance. Government's niggardly policy
regarding the release of political prisoners was condemned.
Sacrifice of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarathi was appreciated.
Embodied Congress standpoint on Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Gandhiji
was authorised to represent Congress at the Second Round
Table Conference. Resolutions adopted included Fundamental
Rights, Civil Disobedience sufferers, communal riots, prohibition,
Khaddar and peaceful picketing, Frontier people, N.W.F Province
and Indians in South and East Africa. Separation of Burma
was condemned but the rights of an Independent Burma were
recognised. Large number of Khudai Khidmadgars from the
Frontier attended the Congress. Session was held in open
air without tent.
The
President
SARDAR
VALLABHBHAI PATEL (1875-1950)
Iron
man of India. Started practising law in Godhra, Gujarat.
Went to England and called to the Bar. Shifted to Ahmedabad
and set up flourishing practice. Came under the influence
of Gandhiji and entered public life in 1916. Recognised
as national leader after Kaira Satyagraha, Nagpur Flag Satyagraha
and Bardaloi No-Tax Satyagraha. President Ahmedabad Municipality
from 1927-1928. One of the leaders of Salt Satyagraha and
went to jail in 1930. President of the Indian National Congress
at Karachi in 1931. Arrested with Gandhiji in January,1932
and imprisoned without trial till July, 1934. Chairman Congress
Parliamentary Sub-Committee, 1935-1939. Arrested and detained
a number of times. Free India's Deputy Prime Minister and
Home Minister from 15th August, 1948 till his
death in December, 1950. Integration of princely states
into Indian Union was his greatest achievement.
The
Year's Events
Lord
Willingdon replaced Lord Irwin. Congress Working Committee
met in June. There were complaints of breach of Gandhi Irwin
pact from all parts of the country. Gandhiji decided not
to go to London. 13th August, A.I.C.C. condemned
the attempted assassination of acting Governor of Bombay.
New National Flag was decided of Saffron, White and Green
colours with Charkha inset. Talks took place between Gandhiji,
Vallabhbhai, Jawaharlal Nehru and Pattabhi. Gandhiji and
Emerson reached settlement. Gandhiji left for England. Agrarian
crisis in United Provinces. Trouble in Frontier. Jawaharlal,
Sherwani and Tandon arrested. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and
Dr. Khan Sahab arrested. Working Committee decided on Civil
Disobedience. Gandhiji and Congress President arrested.
Ordinance Raj returns. Throughout India people lathi-charged,
fined, property confiscated and imprisoned without trial.
46th
Session (BANNED)
DELHI
1932
Congress
was outlawed but a session was held at Delhi in April, 1932.
Despite police vigilance, over 500 delegates attended. President-elect
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was arrested. Four resolutions
were passed reiterating complete Independence as the goal
of the Congress, endorsing revival of the Civil Disobedience,
expressing complete faith in Gandhiji's leadership and reaffirming
deep faith in non-violence.
The
President
PANDIT
MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA (1864-1946)
The
Year's Events
Second
Civil Disobedience Movement was widespread inspite of severe
repression. There was almost complete boycott of British
goods. Non-payment of rent. 17th August, Premier
Ramsay Mac Donald's Communal Award was announced. Gandhiji
decided to fast onto death. Several Temples and public places
opened to Harijans. Yervada pact signed by Harijan and Congress
leaders on 24th September. Harijans forego separate
electorates subject to certain safeguards. British Government
accepted Yervada pact. 26th September, Gandhiji
broke fast. Third Round Table Conference. Guruvayur Temple
Referendum, Temple opened to Harijans. Harijan Sewak Sangh
organised and Harijan weekly started.
47th
Session (BANNED)
CALCUTTA
1933
Token
session held in April, 1933. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
again elected President but arrested on the way. Mrs. Nellie
Sen Gupta presided. Lathi-charge on delegates and many arrested.
Session just reiterated the resolutions of 1932.
The
President
MRS.
NELLIE SEN GUPTA (1886-1973)
Married
Jatindramohan Sen Gupta in 1909. Took active part in Non-Cooperation
Movement. After husband was imprisoned during Assam-Bengal
railwaymen strike, she forcefully protested against district
authorities despite ban on assembly, addressed public meetings
and courted arrest. Imprisoned in 1931 for unlawful assembly.
Elected Alderman of the Calcutta Corporation, 1933 and again
in 1936. Member Bengal Legislative Assembly, 1940 and 1946.
Awarded Padmavibhushan. Died in Calcutta in 1973.
The
Year's Events
Gandhiji
fasted for self purification for 21 days. Annie Besant,
acting Congress President suspended Civil Disobedience for
6 weeks. Informal conference of Congressmen was held at
Poona on 12th July. Gandhiji refused interview
with the Viceroy. Mass Civil Disobedience Movement was suspended,
Individual Civil Disobedience was allowed. Gandhiji was
sentenced to one year. Fasted in jail against refusal of
facilities for Harijan work. Released in August. Decides
to abstain from Civil Disobedience for one year. Extensive
tour of Gandhiji for Harijan work begins. Earthquake struck
Bihar. Civil Disobedience Movement was suspended. Dr. Ansari,
B. C. Roy and Satyamurti formed the Swaraj party. A.I.C.C
met at Patna, Parliamentary programme was approved and Swaraj
party became integral part of the Congress. First Conference
of the Congress Socialist Party was held at Poona. Bomb
was thrown at Gandhiji in Poona, he fasted for seven days
against intolerance towards opponents.
48th
Session
BOMBAY
1934
Babu
Rajendra Prasad in his presidential address said, `God is
with us in the great epic struggle of an unarmed people
fighting with weapons of Satyagraha of Truth and Non-Violence,
a most powerful Government armed cap-a-pie and equipped
with the latest engines of destruction devised by science
and human ingenuity. For us there is no turning back. The
goal is clear. It is nothing short of Independence.'
Golden
jubilee session of the Congress. Endorsed resolutions of
A.I.C.C Parliamentary Board, its policies and programmes.
Congratulated the Nation on heroic sacrifices and sufferings
undergone. All India Village Industries Association was
set up. Major changes were made in the Congress Constitution.
Labour franchise and habitual wearing of Khaddar was deemed
necessary for elective members. Congress delegates were
reduced to a minimum of 2,000. A.I.C.C. was reduced to half
its strength. Delegates were to be elected at the rate of
1 to 500 primary members. Gandhiji tried unsuccessfully
to change the Congress creed to `truthful and non-violent'
in place of `peaceful and legitimate' methods. Resolutions
were passed on constructive programme, Swadeshi, status
of Indian settlers abroad. Gandhiji resigned from his primary
membership and retired from the Congress.
The
President
BABU
RAJENDRA PRASAD (1884-1963)
First
President of India. Brilliant academic career and became
Professor University Law College, 1914-1916. Leader of the
Bar at Patna. Member, Senate of Patna University since its
foundation. Worked with Gandhiji in Champaran struggle of
1917. Registrar Bihar Vidyapith. Chairman Reception Committee,
Gaya Congress in 1922. President Bihar Provincial Congress
Committee for a number of years and organised Congress Committees
at the grassroots. Participated in Salt Satyagraha and Civil
Disobedience Movement and was consequently jailed several
times. Member of the Congress Working Committee. Organised
Bihar Earthquake relief. President Indian National Congress,
Bombay 1934. Member Congress Parliamentary Sub-Committee.
Acting President of the Tripuri Congress, 1939 after Subhas
Chandra Bose resigned. Offered Satyagraha in individual
Civil Disobedience Campaign. Arrested in August and detained
at Patna and Hazaribagh. Member of the Interim Government.
President Constituent Assembly of India. Minister for Food
and Agriculture of Indian Dominion Government. President
of India from 1950-1962. Great scholar and author of `India
Divided'.
-
Ashish Talwar
