Modern History Notes : Chapter-20 : Deliberations on Post-Civil Disobedience Strategy (Arora IAS Class Notes)

Chapter-20

Deliberations on Post-Civil Disobedience Strategy

Arora IAS Class Notes

Following the Civil Disobedience Movement’s (CDM) withdrawal, nationalists debated their future course. The debates occurred in two stages:

Stage 1: Immediate Strategy (1934-35)

Three Perspectives Emerged:

1. Constructive Work (Gandhian Line):Focus on social and economic development activities like khadi production.
2. Constitutional Struggle & Elections:Advocated by M.A. Ansari, Asaf Ali, and others. Arguments:
   • Maintain political interest during a lull in mass movements.
   • Participation doesn’t imply faith in colonial rule.
   • Builds Congress’s strength and prepares for future mass action.
   • Gains prestige and influence in legislative bodies.
3. Leftist Trend (Nehru):Critical of both options. Favored:
   • Resuming non-violent mass struggles.
   • Addressing economic inequalities and class struggle.
   • Organizing peasants and workers in unions affiliated with Congress.
   • Continuous confrontation with imperialism until its overthrow. (Struggle-Victory Strategy)

Nehru’s Opposition to “Struggle-Truce-Struggle” Strategy:

• Gandhi and many Congressmen believed in alternating phases of mass action (struggle) and reprieve (truce) to allow the movement to regain strength.
• Nehru criticized this approach, arguing for continuous pressure on British rule.

Stage 2: Office Acceptance in Provincial Elections (1937)

Nationalist Split Expected:

• Both nationalists and British officials anticipated a potential Congress split similar to the Surat split (1907).

Gandhi’s Compromise:

• To prevent a split, Gandhi allowed Congressmen to contest elections under the 1935 Government of India Act.
• He clarified that this was not an endorsement of constitutionalism but a way for inactive members to contribute.

Gandhi’s Resignation and Underlying Reasons:

• Gandhi felt out of step with the Congress’s growing interest in parliamentary politics.
• He disagreed with the emphasis on the spinning wheel and the socialists’ vision of post-colonial India.
• Resigned in October 1934 to focus on influencing the Congress from outside.

Socialist Strategy:

• Nehru and socialists prioritized expelling the British before pursuing socialism.
• They saw staying within the Congress as crucial for mass mobilization.

Right Wing’s Accommodation:

• The right wing within Congress also accepted Gandhi’s compromise.

Election Results (November 1934):

• The Congress won 45 out of 75 seats reserved for Indians in the Central Legislative Assembly.

Conclusion:

• The debates after the CDM reflected ideological differences within the Congress. Gandhi sought social and economic reforms, while Nehru and the left wing prioritized anti-colonial struggle and class issues.
• Ultimately, a compromise was reached, allowing Congressmen to participate in elections while maintaining pressure on British rule.

Government of India Act, 1935

Context:

• Passed in 1935 after the failed Third Round Table Conference (1932).

 

Main Features:

1. All-India Federation (Not Implemented):
   • Conditional on princely state participation (not met).
   • Central government continued under 1919 Act provisions.
2. Federal Level:

Executive:

• Governor-General held significant power.
• Subjects divided into reserved (Governor-General’s control) and transferred (ministerial control).
• Governor-General could act independently on security matters.

Legislature:

• Bicameral: Council of States (upper) and Federal Assembly (lower).
• Indirect election for Federal Assembly (oddly enough).
• Council of States had some nominated members.
• Three legislative lists: federal, provincial, and concurrent.
• Federal Assembly could move no-confidence vote against ministers.
• Extensive religious and class-based electorates.
• Limited financial control for the legislature.
• Governor-General had residuary powers (restoring cuts, certifying bills, ordinances, veto).

 

3. Provincial Autonomy:
   • Replaced dyarchy system.
   • Increased provincial independence.
   • Separate legal identity and financial resources for provinces.

Executive:

• Governor (Crown’s representative) with special powers.

Legislature:

• Separate electorates based on Communal Award.
• Direct elections with expanded franchise (including women).
• Ministerial responsibility to the legislature.
• Provincial legislative powers for specific subjects.
• Governor’s powers included refusing assent to bills, issuing ordinances, and enacting Governor’s Acts.

Evaluation:

• Numerous restrictions limited the Act’s effectiveness.
• Governors retained significant power at the provincial level.
• The Act enfranchised a small portion of the population (14%).
• Communal electorates exacerbated divisions and contributed to partition.
• Rigid constitution with no amendment power by Indians.

 

British Long-Term Strategy:

• Weaken the national movement through co-optation.
• Revive the political standing of moderate Indians.
• Discourage further extra-parliamentary struggle by Congress.
• Create divisions within Congress (appeasing right-wing, suppressing leftists).
• Foster provincial autonomy to weaken central leadership.

 

Nationalist Response:

• Nearly all sections of the nationalist movement rejected the Act.
• The Congress demanded a Constituent Assembly for an independent India.
• Only Hindu Mahasabha and National Liberal Federation supported the Act.

 

Second Stage Debate: Office Acceptance in Provincial Elections (1937)

Context:

• Elections to provincial assemblies announced in early 1937.
• Debate resumed on the nationalist strategy.

Agreement and Disagreement:

• All nationalists opposed the 1935 Act.
• Disagreement arose on how to oppose it during a lull in mass movements.

 

Left-Wing Position (Nehru, Bose, Socialists, Communists):

• Against office acceptance and working under the 1935 Act.
• Reasons:
  • Negate the rejection of the Act.
  • Assume responsibility without power.
  • Divert from revolutionary goals (freedom, social justice).
• Counter-Strategy:
  • Enter councils to create deadlocks (similar to Swarajists).
  • Long-term: Focus on workers & peasants, integrate their unions with Congress, prepare for renewed mass movement.

 

Right-Wing Position:

• Supported office acceptance as a short-term tactic.
• Reasons:
  • Mass movement not feasible at the moment.
  • Independence achievable only through mass struggle.
  • Leverage legislatures for constructive work.
  • Counteract pro-government forces.

Gandhi’s Position:

• Initially opposed office acceptance.
• By 1936, open to forming Congress ministries.

 

Congress Decisions:

• Fight elections, postpone decision on office acceptance.
• Lucknow session (1936): “combat the Act… both inside and outside the legislatures.”
• Faizpur session (1937): similar resolution.

 

Elections (February 1937):

• First elections with wider enfranchisement (14% of population).
• 11 provinces: Madras, Central Provinces, Bihar, Orissa, United Provinces, Bombay, Assam, NWFP, Bengal, Punjab, Sindh.
• 1 million eligible voters (including 4.25 million women).
• 5 million voted (including 917,000 women).

 

Congress Manifesto:

• Rejected the 1935 Act.
• Promised:
  • Release of prisoners.
  • Removal of gender/caste discrimination.
  • Agrarian reforms.
  • Debt reduction.
  • Labor rights (unions, strikes).
• Gandhi did not campaign.

 

Congress Results:

• Won 716 out of 1161 contested seats (majority in 6 provinces).
• Largest party in Bengal, Assam, NWFP.
• Increased Congress prestige.
• Nehru reconciled to “Struggle-Truce-Struggle” strategy.

 

Important Leaders

1. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari (1880-1936)

Early Life & Education (1880-1910)

• Born: December 25, 1880, Yusufpur-Mohammadabad, Uttar Pradesh
• Medical degree: Madras Medical College
• Master of Surgery: University of Edinburgh (1910)

Nationalist & Political Leader

• Joined Indian National Congress & Muslim League
• President of Muslim League (1918 & 1920)
• President of Indian National Congress (1927)
• Supported Khilafat Movement

Founder of Jamia Millia Islamia

• Co-founded Jamia Millia Islamia University
• Chancellor (1928-1936)

 

2. Aruna Asaf Ali (1909-1996)

Freedom Struggle

• Known as ‘Grand Old Lady’ of Independence Movement
• Hoisted Indian flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan (1942) – Iconic image of Quit India Movement
• Member of Indian National Congress
• Arrested during Salt Satyagraha (1930)

Post-Independence

• First Mayor of Delhi
• Awarded Padma Vibhushan (1992) & Bharat Ratna (1997)