HISTORY

Congress Sessions-IX

35th Session

NAGPUR 1920

The Non-Cooperation resolution of Calcutta was reaffirmed. The visit by the Duke of Connaught was boycotted. All India Tilak Swaraj Fund was started. Attainment of Swaraj by peaceful and legitimate means was propagated. Provincial Congress Committees were reconstituted on linguistic basis. Congress Working Committee of 15 members was appointed. Homage was paid to Martyr Mac Swiney, the Irish hunger-striker. Support was promised to overseas Indians in their struggle. Export of foodstuffs was condemned.

 

The President

C. VIJAYARAGHAVA CHARIAR (1852-1942)

Born at Pon Vilaindha in Madhuranthakam taluka, Chingleput District of Tamil Nadu. Associated with Congress since its inception. Member of Committee to draw up Congress Constitution. Member Madras Legislative Council from 1885-1901. Member Indian Congress Committee 1899-1900. President, Madras Provincial Conference at Calicut, 1900. After the Surat split of 1907 he disassociated himself from the Congress. Member of the Imperial Legislative Council 1913-1916. Started participating in Congress session once again from Lucknow, 1916. Actively participated in special session in Bombay, 1916 and Amritsar session in 1919. Became President of Special Provincial Conference at Madras in 1918. Despite becoming President of Nagpur Congress in 1920, he did not believe in Non-Cooperation. Later supported Hindu Mahasabha and presided over one of its sessions. In 1932, presided over Unity Conference held in Allahabad to deal with the situation created by the British Prime Minister’s Communal Award and the Poona Pact.

The Year’s Events

Non-Cooperation Movement was at its peak. Seth Jamnalal Bajaj gave Rs. 1,00,000 to the Tilak Swaraj Fund. Congress Working Committee authorised Deshbandhu Das to look after labour organisations. Nankana tragedy resulting in 195 deaths. All India Congress Committee at Bezwada decides on enlisting One crore members, Rs. One crore for Tilak Swaraj Fund and introducing twenty lakh charkhas. Restraint order on Das, Hasan, Lalaji and Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Gandhiji met the Viceroy. By July, Swaraj Fund was oversubscribed by 15 lakhs. A.I.C.C in Bombay decided on boycott of the Prince of Wales. Moplah rebellion took place in Malabar. Khilafat Conference was held in Karachi and President Mohammad Ali issued Fatwa against Muslims joining the Army. Ali Brothers were arrested. Chirala Satyagraha. Martial Law in Malabar. Prince of Wales arrived in Bombay leading to rioting and arrest of 40,000. Volunteer organisations were declared illegal. President elect of Congress, C.R. Das was arrested before the session.

 

36th Session

AHMEDABAD 1921

In his presidential address, Hakim Ajmal Khan said, ‘The spirit of Non- Cooperation pervades throughout the country and there is no true Indian heart even in the remotest corner of this country which is not filled with the spirit of cheerful suffering and sacrifice to attain Swaraj and see the Punjab and the Khilafat wrongs redressed.’

Main resolution once again on Non-Cooperation, its pledge and programme. Gandhiji appointed as the sole executive authority of the Congress and invested with the full powers of the All India Congress Committee and also the power to appoint a successor. Maulana Hasrat Mohani proposed to define Swaraj in the Congress creed as Complete Independence. Gandhiji opposed it and the resolution was thrown out. Public support requested for hand-spinning and hand-weaving, communal unity, total prohibition and eradication of untouchability. Declared that the Moplah rebellion was not a result of either Non-Cooperation or Khilafat Movements. Kemal Pasha was congratulated on his victory over the Greeks and Baba Gurdit Singh of Komagatamaru was felicitated.

President - elect C. R. DAS in jail.

 

The President

HAKIM AJMAL KHAN (1865-1927)

Leading Muslim scholar and Unani Hakim in Delhi. Visited hospitals of Europe and wrote treatises on medicine. Member of the Muslim League and later Vice-President, Reception Committee of the Indian National Congress at Delhi in 1918. He was greatly influenced by Gandhiji and became active participant in Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movements. Trustee of Aligarh College, he resigned when Sir Syed Ahmed Khan refused to join the Non-Cooperation Movement. In 1907, the Government conferred on him the title of Haziq-ul-Mulk, in recognition of his services. Renounced that title in 1920. President-elect of Ahmedabad Congress being in jail he was elected in his place. President, Civil Disobedience Committee, 1922. Participated in the Unity Conference 1924. Member of the Congress Working Committee till his death in 1927. Shining propagator of Hindu-Muslim unity.

The Year’s Events

All Party Conference was held in Bombay. Resolution was passed con

demning the repressive policy of the Government and asked for withdrawal of all special laws, the release of political prisoners and the convening of a Round Table Conference. Viceroy turned down the demands. Gandhiji intimated the Viceroy on 1st February of his intention to start Civil Disobedience in Bardoli. Guntur declared itself no-tax. Military quartered. Andhra sanctioned no-tax campaign. The Chauri Chaura tragedy took place wherein 21 constables and one sub-inspector were burnt alive at Chauri Chaura in Eastern U.P on 5th February. On 12th February, Congress Working Committee met at Bardoli and suspended Civil-Disobedience and constructive programme was advocated. A.I.C.C met at Delhi on 24th and 25th February and endorsed the Bardoli decision. On 16th March, Gandhiji was arrested and sentenced to 6 years. At Lucknow, A.I.C.C appointed Civil Disobedience Committee. Severe repression took place in Andhra. Borsad Satyagraha. Akalis started movement. A.I.C.C at Calcutta postponed discussion of council entry to the Gaya Congress.

 

37th Session

GAYA 1922

Main resolution was on Council entry. Rajaji led those who did not want a change in policy while Das led the Swarajists. It was declared by a large majority to continue the boycott of councils. Deshbandhu Das resigned from the Presidentship. Nation was called upon to ready men and money for Civil Disobedience Movement. Warning was issued to the Government not to incur any more national debts. Appealed to the public not to contribute to Government floated loans.

 

The President

DESHBANDHU CHITTARANJAN DAS

(1870-1925)

1903, Barrister-at-law. Appeared in sensational cases like the Manicktolla Bomb case, Dacca Conspiracy case and Munitions Board case. Member Congress Punjab Enquiry Committee. Advocated obstruction at the Amritsar Congress in 1919. Opposed Non-Cooperation Movement at the Calcutta special session but accepted it at Nagpur in 1920. Suspended his impressive practice. Organised boycott of the Prince of Wales. Elected President of the Ahmedabad Congress, 1921 but arrested 15 days before the session and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. Founded Swaraj Party in 1922. In 1923 Swarajists entered the council but Das refused to form a ministry in Bengal. President of the All India Trade Union Congress at Lahore. In 1924 won the Calcutta Corporation and became its first Mayor. Satyagraha at Tarakeswar. Gandhi-Das-Nehru Pact. Turned his entire property as a trust for the service of the country.

The Year’s Events

Communal riots vitiated the political atmosphere. A.I.C.C considered President’s resignation. Compromise reached on council propaganda due to Maulana Azad. Assembly threw out Sales-Tax. Working committee resigned. At Bombay A.I.C.C Das’ resignation was accepted and Dr. Ansari became acting President. Flag Satyagraha continued in Nagpur. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee refused to obey compromise and Working Committee resigned. A special session was being held in Delhi. General elections to Legislatures took place. Swarajists swept the polls in Bengal and C.P. Liberals like Surendranath Banerjee were defeated. In the Central Assembly Swarajists won 48 seats. Akali struggle continued and Maharaja of Nabha was forced to abdicate.

 

SPECIAL SESSION

DELHI 1923

Permitted Congressmen who had no religious or conscientious objections to enter the legislatures. All propaganda against council entry was ended. Redoubling of constructive programme. The nation was called to Boycott foreign cloth and substitute it with Khadi. Call for Formation of Civic Guards and promotion of physical culture. Committee was formed to determine feasible methods for development of Indian industries. Committees were appointed for revising the Constitution and to prepare a draft of the National Pact. Nagpur Flag Satyagraha was congratulated on its culmination. Press was warned that it observe great restraint while reporting on communal issues. The forcible abdication of the Maharaja of Nabha was condemned. Sympathy was expressed for sufferers of earthquake in Japan and floods in Bihar, Kanara and Burma. Lala Lajpat Rai and Maulana Mohammad Ali had been released and were welcomed back by the Congress.

 

The President

MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD (1888-1958)

Legendary leader of the Freedom Struggle and committed secularist. Powerful writer and orator, leading Muslim scholar. Born in Mecca and spent his childhood in Arabia. Educated in Cairo at Al Azhar University. On his return to India at just the age of twenty, acknowledged as one of the foremost Ulema. Started Urdu weekly, Al Hilal. Suppressed by the Government. Started Al Balagh. Arrested and interned along with Ali Brothers. Influenced by Gandhiji and joined the Congress. Leading Khilafat and Non-Cooperation leader. Imprisoned with Das in 1921-1922. Imprisoned a number of times in Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience Movement, 1932. Acting Congress President in 1930. Member of the Congress Working Committee for over two decades. President Indian National Congress 1940-1946. Arrested 9th August,1942 and kept at Ahmednagar Fort. Minister for Education in Interim Government. Free India’s Education Minister from 1947 till his death on 22nd February,1958. o

- Ashish Talwar