HISTORY
Congress
Sessions-X
38th
Session
COCONADA
1923
Maulana
Mohammad Ali in his presidential address said, `To my mind
the most important problem today is the problem of Indian
unity and India's nationhood, which, in other words, means
the old, old Hindu and Muslim problem.'
Savarkar's
continued imprisonment was condemned. National Pact to be
circulated along with the Bengal Pact was prepared by Das.
The All India Volunteer organisation was formed. A scheme
of separate Congress departments was called for and also
a scheme of a National Service of paid workers to work these
various departments. Wholehearted sympathy was expressed
with Kenyan Indians. George Joseph and Sarojini Naidu were
deputed as delegates to the Kenya Indian Congress. Committee
were appointed to enquire into condition of Indian labour
in Ceylon. Decision was taken to stand by Akali Dal and
the Government's attack on it was viewed as a violation
of the right of free association. Civil Disobedience and
Satyagraha Committees were absorbed into in the Congress
Working Committee.
The
President
MAULANA
MOHAMMAD ALI (1878-1931)
Educated
at Aligarh and Oxford. Spent sometime in the service of
Nawab of Rampur and the Baroda State. In 1907, took to journalism
and established Comrade, an English weekly. Pamphlet titled,
`Come into Macedonia and help us' was forfeited. In 1914
he was interned at the outbreak of the War. Was released
in 1919 and attended the Amritsar Congress. Leader of the
Khilafat Movement. Was greatly influenced by Gandhiji. Became
member Congress Working Committee. President All India Khilafat
Conference at Karachi in 1921. Declared the entry of Muslims
into the Army to be unlawful. He was arrested in September,
1921 and sentenced to 2 years. Associated with the Unity
Conference, 1924. Opposed Nehru Report on the Independence
issue and communal settlement. Was a delegate to the First
Round Table Conference.
The
Year's Events
Gandhiji
suddenly fell ill with appendicitis. Swarajists triumphed
in the legislatures. Akali Movement gained momentum. Earnest
Day was murdered in Calcutta. Dinajpur resolution was passed
on Gopinath Saha. Conversation took place between Gandhiji,
Das and Nehru at Juhu. A.I.C.C. meeting took place at Ahmedabad
in June. 2,000 yards of yarn was decided as Congress franchise.
Severe repression by the Government in Bengal was followed
by the arrest of Subhas Bose and other Congressmen. Communal
riots broke out throughout the country. Gandhiji went on
fast for 21 days. Central panchayat was created. Satyagraha
took place at Tarakeswar. All Parties Conference took place
at Bombay.
39th
Session
BELGAUM
1924
The
only session of the Congress which Gandhiji presided over.
In his presidential address the Mahatma said, `From the
September of 1920 the Congress has been principally an institute
for developing strength from within. It has ceased to function
by means of resolutions addressed to the Government for
redress of grievances. It did so because it ceased to believe
in the beneficial character of the existing system of Government.'
Gandhi-Das-Nehru
agreement passed by the A.I.C.C in November was ratified.
Congress franchisee was altered likewise. Resolutions adopted
on untouchability and Vaikom Satyagraha. Akali Movement,
alcohol and opium traffic was also dealt with by resolutions.
Exodus of Hindus from Kohat was deplored. Muslims of Kohat
were exhorted to assure their Hindu brethren of full protection
of lives and property. Hindu refugees were advised not to
return except on the invitation of Kohat-Muslims. Sympathy
was expressed with those in Gulbarga suffering from Nizam's
dominion. Resolution was passed on Indians abroad. Services
of Sarojini Naidu, Vaze and Benarasidas Chaturvedi were
appreciated. Some alterations were made in the Congress
Constitution.
The
President
MOHANDAS
KARAMCHAND GANDHI (1869-1948)
Unarguably
the Greatest Man to have been born in India. Born 2nd
October, 1869. Barrister at Bombay and later in South Africa.
Led an Indian Ambulance Corps during Boer War and Zulu Revolt.
Satyagraha in South Africa and Gandhi-Smuts agreement. After
returning to India set up Ashram at Sabarmati. Kaira Satyagraha
and Champaran agitation. Undisputed leader of the Congress
after 1920. Inaugurated and led the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation
Movements, 1920-1922. Arrested and sentenced to 6 years
imprisonment. Released in 1924. Fasted for 21 days continuously
to promote communal harmony. President, Indian National
Congress Belgaum, 1924. Emphasised on constructive programme.
Dandi March signalled beginning of Salt Satyagraha, April
1930. Imprisoned in January, 1932. Fast onto death against
Communal award and the award was duly modified. Formed Harijan
Sewak Sangh. Retired from Congress in 1934 but remained
indisputable leader and guide. Inaugurated individual Civil
Disobedience, 1940. Formulated Quit India movement in 1942.
Arrested. 21 days fast in February 1943. Wife Kasturba died
in detention. Released in May, 1944. Toured Naokhali and
Bihar for riot relief. Opposed to Partition of India but
advised country to agree to Mountbatten plan. Riots ceased
after his initiative in Calcutta. Assassinated by a fanatic
of R. S. S and Hindu Mahasabha ideology, at Birla House
on 30th January, 1948. Considered as the Greatest
Man of the 20th century. Role-model for numerous
leading statesmen and thinkers.
The
Year's Events
Swarajists
climbed down in the Assembly. Gandhiji toured South Africa.
Viakom Satyagraha ended. Gandhiji had a pact with Travancore
authorities. Motilal Nehru accepted seat on Skeen Committee
and his motion in the Central Assembly on the Round Table
Conference was carried. Dr. Suhrawady resigned from Swaraj
party. Vithallbhai Patel was elected President of the Assembly.
Swarajist faced dissensions in Bengal. A.I.C.C. met in Patna.
Yarn franchise made an alternate to four anna membership.
Political work was made over to the Swarajists. Kelkar,
Moonjee, Javarkar and Khaparde declared Responsive Cooperation
and resigned from the Swaraj party. Akali agitation ended.
40th
Session
CAWNPORE
1925
In
her presidential address, Sarojini Naidu stressed on the
need for creation of departments in the Congress, `To give
concrete expression to our decisions in regard to these
ancillary activities, the Indian National Congress should
create definite depth to be governed by groups of men and
women qualified by their capacity or enthusiasm to administer
to the vital and divergent wants of the people.'
Delegation
from South Africa attended the session. The Congress declared
the Area Reservation and Immigration Registration Bill to
be breach of Gandhi-Smuts Agreement, 1914 and demanded a
Round Table Conference to arbitrate. Bengal ordinance was
condemned. Condemned expulsion of non-Burman offenders Bill
and the Tax on Sea-passengers Bill of Burma. Faith in Civil
Disobedience was reiterated and a Constructive programme
was adopted. The Swaraj party's demands were endorsed and
all Swarajists were called on to walk out of the councils
if their demands were not accepted. Hindustani declared
to be the prescribed language of the Indian National Congress.
It was decided that an A.I.C.C Foreign Department was to
be set up.
The
President
SMT.
SAROJINI NAIDU
(1879-1948)
Nightingale
of India. Educated at Hyderabad and Cambridge. Acclaimed
poetess. 3 volumes of her poetry were published in English
and translated into many languages. In 1914 became fellow
of Royal Society of Literature. Joined Indian National Congress
in 1915. Went to England in 1920 and did propaganda for
the Congress. Returned Kaisr-i-Hind medal to the Government.
Member Congress Working Committee. Visited East Africa and
Kenya on Congress deputed work. President Cawnpore Congress,
1925. Toured the U.S in 1928. Jailed during Salt Satyagraha.
Delegate to the Second Round Table Conference. Jailed again
after becoming acting President of the Congress, 1932. Connected
with Women's movement. Offered Satyagraha in the individual
Civil Disobedience Movement. Arrested but released due to
illness. Arrested again on 9th August 1942 and
detained along with Gandhiji at the Aga Khan Palace, Pune.
Nursed Gandhiji during his fast in 1943. Chairman Asian
Relations Conference Delhi, 1947. Member Constituent Assembly.
Governor of U.P in 1947.
The
Year's Events
Lord
Reading gave conciliatory speech in the Assembly. A.I.C.C.
meeting in Delhi confirmed the decisions taken at Cawnpore.
Funds were sanctioned for Seva Dal and the foreign department.
Debate took place between Motilal Nehru and Lala Lajpat
Rai in the Assembly. Indian National Party was formed in
Bombay. Via the Sabarmati Pact, Swarajists and Responsivists
came to an understanding. A.I.C.C at Ahmedabad repudiated,
as did Prakasam. S. S. Iyengar became leader as Motilal
Nehru had to leave for England. For 6 weeks, Hindu-Muslim
riots continued in Calcutta. Hilton Young Commission reports
on Currency and Exchange were published. General elections
took place in November. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra, Congress
captured all elective seats to Central Assembly but suffered
reverses in U.P. Squabbles took place between Congressmen
in Bengal. Swami Shraddhanand was murdered.
-
Ashish Talwar
