HISTORY

Congress Sessions-XIII

49th Session

LUCKNOW 1936

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in his presidential address said, ?I am convinced that the only key to the solution of the world?s problem and of India?s problems lies in socialism, and when I use the word I do so not in a vague humanitarian way but in the social, economic sense. _ _ _ I see no way of ending this poverty, the vast unemployment, the degradation and the subjection of the Indian people except through socialism.?

He added, ?It is astonishing to find to what depths of vulgarity our rulers have descended in their ardent desire to hold on to what they have got, and it is depressing, though perhaps inevitable, that some of our own countrymen were more interested in British imperialism than the British themselves, should excel at this deplorable game.?

The Congress condemned arrest of Subhas Bose and the widespread intensive suppression of civil liberties. Romain Rolland thanked for invitation to World Congress against War and Fascism. Reiterated opposition to participating in any Imperial War. Sympathy expressed for Abyssinia. Pointed out that the Government of India Act facilitated and perpetuated the domination and exploitation of the people.

Congress decided to contest elections to the Provincial Legislatures. Mass contact programme was launched. Sympathised with Indians abroad in their struggles. An All India Agrarian Programme was decided upon. Declared that struggles in the states had to be carried out by the people of the states.

The President

PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU (1889-1964)

The Year?s Events

Gandhiji decided to settle at Sevagram. Gandhi-Ambedkar meeting took place. Congress election manifesto released. Anti-Congress parties tried to form United Front against the Congress. Congress Parliamentary Board begins to function.

 

50th Session

FAIZPUR 1937

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said, ?The Congress has already declared that we can be no parties to an imperialist war, and we shall not allow the exploitation of India?s manpower and resources for such a war. Any such attempt will be resisted by us.?

Declared culmination of Imperialism necessary to outlaw War. Condemned non-intervention policy of the British Government in the Spanish Revolution.

The people of Spain were assured of Indian sympathy. Declared that the separation of Burma was being enforced against the wishes of a large number of Burmese opinion and in favour of British imperial interests.

Demanded extension of self-government institutions to the excluded areas. The election results were noted with satisfaction and it was decided to hold an All India Convention of Congress Legislators. A.I.C.C. members were asked to decide the question of acceptance of office.

The President

PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU (1889-1964)

The Year?s Events

Gandhiji visited Travancore. Congress won in 8 out of 11 Provinces. A.I.C.C. in March authorised acceptance of office but ministries were not to be accepted till Congress was satisfied that Governors would not use special powers of interference with Ministries. Governors were given the necessary assurances and Congress government formed in 6 provinces. Muslim League declared Independence as its objective and Hindu Mahasabha also followed suit. Bombay Legislative Assembly passed Temple Entry Bill. Provincial ministries did useful work. Crisis perpetuated in United Provinces and Bihar over Governor?s interference. Crisis was later resolved.

 

51st Session

HARIPURA 1938

Subhas Chandra Bose delivered a fiery presidential address, ?It is well known truism that every Empire is based on the policy of divide and rule. I doubt if any Empire in the world has practised this policy so skilfully, systematically and ruthlessly.? Main resolution condemned Federal Scheme. All India Education Board was appointed on basic national education. Minorities were assured of widest scope of development. Ban on Congress organisations in Midnapore was depreciated. Release of Guidallo of Assam demanded. Manifesto on Ministerial resignations in Bihar and U.P. Declared that struggles of Indian states should not be undertaken in the Congress? name but solidarity was expressed with them. Declared that Congress cannot associate itself with any activities incompatible with its basic principles while approving of Kisan Sabhas in general. Constitution Committee set up. Resolution adopted on Indians abroad, Zanzibar and clove boycott, Indians in Ceylon, China and Palestine. Reiterated Congress? stand on foreign policy and the danger of War.

The President

SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE (1897-1945)

Entered Indian Civil Service but resigned to join Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921. Arrested with Deshbandhu Das, 1921-1922. Manager of ?Forward? from 1922-1924. Member Calcutta Corporation and Bengal Legislative Council in 1924. Chief Executive Officer of Calcutta Corporation in 1924. Arrested in 1924, released 1927. Prominent participant in the Simon Commission report agitations. G. O. C. of Volunteers at Calcutta Congress in 1928. Mayor of Calcutta in 1930. President Bengal Provincial Congress Committee. 1932, interned as State Prisoner but released and asked to go to Europe for medical treatment. President of the Indian National Congress at Haripura in 1938. Re-elected President at Tripuri in 1939, but resigned due to differences with the Congress High Command.

Inaugurated the Forward Bloc. 1940, elected member of the Central Assembly while in prison. Released due to ill health. Escaped to Germany and later to the Eastern Front. Set up Provisional Indian Government and the Indian National Army. Reportedly died in an air crash in 1945 but his death is still a matter of speculation and mystery.

The Year?s Events

Gandhiji toured North West Frontier. C.P Cabinet crisis. Dr. Khare resigned and other Ministers dismissed. Congress Working Committee condemned the action of Dr. Khare and A.I.C.C. took disciplinary action against him. Gandhiji condemned role of C.P Governor. Non-interference in affairs of Indian states reiterated. Conference of Provincial Ministers in Delhi. National Planning Committee started deliberations under presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru. Presidential contest between Subhas Chandra Bose and Dr. Pattabhi. Subhas won. Gandhiji?s comment thereon in the Harijan magazine. Civil Disobedience in Rajkot and it was suspended. Gandhiji went to Rajkot on peace mission. Fasted onto death, 3rd March. Viceroy?s intervention was sought. Maurice Gwyer appointed arbitrator.

 

52nd Session

TRIPURI 1939

Subhas attended session on a stretcher. Main resolution moved by Govind Ballabh Pant. Declared implicit confidence in Gandhiji and the old Working Committee. The President was requested to appoint the new Working Committee in accordance with the wishes of Gandhiji. Stormy debate and the resolution was carried by a large majority. All Congress organisations were told to get ready for a nation-wide struggle, promote unity and eliminate disruptive forces. A.I.C.C. was authorised to make changes in the Congress Constitution to make the organisation efficient. British foreign policy condemned and disassociated with. Usual resolutions were on Indians abroad and happenings in Palestine.

The President

SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE (1897-1945)

The Year?s Events

Gwyer award announced in Rajkot case. Gandhiji decided to renounce the award. A.I.C.C. at Calcutta. Stormy scenes took place. Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from Presidentship and Babu Rajendra Prasad was elected in his place. Old Working Committee was re-appointed. Subhas Chandra Bose inaugurated Forward Bloc, Congress took disciplinary action against him for 3 years. Working Committee at Wardha took note of the dangers of War. Defence of India Bill was passed in Central Assembly. Gandhiji met Viceroy. Congress Sub-Committee was appointed to deal with the situation created by the War. Viceroy held talks with Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajendra Prasad. A.I.C.C. at Wardha supported the Working Committee?s stand. Congress Ministers resigned. Constitution was suspended. Working Committee at Wardha on 22nd December called for intense constructive work.

 

53rd Session

RAMGARH 1940

In his presidential address Maulana Azad condemned the British Government over its double standards, ?Now, we are told that, without doubt safeguarding the freedom of nations is the aim of this war but that this is confined within the geographical limits of Europe. The people of Asia and Africa should not dare to have any such hopes.? Overwhelming question before Ramgarh session was the crisis brought upon by the War. Only one resolution was passed before a rainstorm resulted in break up of the session.

The President

MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD (1888-1958)

- Ashish Talwar