Describe the achievements of the Swaraj Party in India and trace their development. Talk about its flaws as well. (Answer in 150 words)
Answer: Since the publication of the first printed newspaper, the Bengal Gazette in 1780, the Indian nationalists who were attracted to modern civil liberties inspired by the French Revolution, realized the role of an independent press. In 1824 itself, Raja Rammohan Roy had protested against a regulRead more
Answer: Since the publication of the first printed newspaper, the Bengal Gazette in 1780, the Indian nationalists who were attracted to modern civil liberties inspired by the French Revolution, realized the role of an independent press. In 1824 itself, Raja Rammohan Roy had protested against a regulation restricting the freedom of the press. Understanding this significance, many newspapers in various parts of India were started. This realization of the potential and conscious effort to develop and spread the press played a critical role in the early phase of the freedom struggle of India in the following manner:
- Political propaganda and education: Political work of the Indian National Congress during its initial years was greatly helped by the press, as it did not have its own organization structure then. Formation and propagation of nationalist ideology was carried out through the press.
- Preparation of masses: The national movement between the period of 1870 and 1918 had not yet resorted to mass agitation and the political work did not consist of active mobilization of people in mass struggles. The press was the chief instrument in arousing, training, mobilizing and consolidating nationalist public opinion.
- Enhancing the geographical spread of the freedom struggle: The influence of the press was not confined to the large cities and the towns. It carried the messages of leaders and nationalists to the far reaches of the country and library movements sprang up all over the country.
- Opposition to the government: The press played an institutional role of opposition to the government by criticizing the activities of the government and worked on the motto of “oppose, oppose, oppose”. Newspapers such as Amrit Bazar Patrika, Kesari, Mahratta etc. played an exemplary role in this regard.
However, arousing political consciousness, inculcating nationalism, exposing colonial rule, and ‘preaching disloyalty’ were no easy tasks and the press faced many challenges, such as:
- Sedition law: The Sedition clause under Section 124A and other sections like 153A and 565 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) had stringent provisions, even imprisonment for life, with an attempt to silence the newspapers which were critical of the government. Bal Gangadhar Tilak faced three trials in cases related to sedition and was imprisoned twice.
- The Vernacular Press Act, 1878: It was passed by the colonial government to suppress the voice of the non-English newspapers, which were critical of the government after the famine of Bengal. Under this Act, press equipments were also seized.
- Other draconian legislations: In the early 1900s as the national movement gathered steam, the colonial government brought in many draconian acts like the Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act of 1911, Press Act of 1910, and Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 to suppress the voice of the Indian press. The Press Act of 1910, which brought over 1,000 newspapers under prosecution, made the Raj’s pockets heavier by Rs. 5 lakhs in form of securities and forfeitures.
Despite these challenges, the Indian press found ingenious ways to survive and thrive. The Amrit Bazar Patrika turned into an English publication overnight to avoid censorship under the Vernacular Press Act. Also, staunch defence of the freedom of the press was undertaken by the national leaders. Recognizing the significance of the freedom of the press in a democracy, it is now a fundamental right under the Constitution of India.
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The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 aiming to use the legislative platforms to press for reforms and promote the cause of self-governance (Swaraj) within the constitutional framework provided by British authorities. Evolution of the Swaraj Party: The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by leaders of theRead more
The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 aiming to use the legislative platforms to press for reforms and promote the cause of self-governance (Swaraj) within the constitutional framework provided by British authorities.
Evolution of the Swaraj Party:
The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by leaders of the Indian National Congress who disagreed with Mahatma Gandhi’s decision to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922. The incident involved violence against police by protesters, leading Gandhi to call off the movement due to concerns over maintaining nonviolence. Dissatisfied with this decision and seeking a more active political role within the legislative framework, leaders such as Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das formed the Swaraj Party.
The party aimed to contest elections to the provincial legislative councils established under the Government of India Act of 1919 (also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms). The Swaraj Party sought to use these councils as platforms to press for reforms and advocate for greater self-governance (swaraj) within the constitutional framework.
Achievements of the Swaraj Party:
1. Election Success: The Swaraj Party participated in elections to the provincial legislatures and achieved considerable success. In the 1923 elections, they won a significant number of seats, demonstrating their popularity and influence among voters disillusioned with British policies and seeking greater Indian autonomy.
2. Legislative Advocacy: Within the legislative councils, Swaraj Party members actively advocated for reforms that promoted Indian interests. They focused on issues such as civil liberties, economic policies favoring Indian industries, reduction of taxes on peasants, and administrative decentralization.
3. Opposition to Simon Commission: The Swaraj Party vehemently opposed the Simon Commission (1927), which was appointed by the British government to review the functioning of the Government of India Act and recommend reforms. Their protests highlighted the demand for Indian representation and led to widespread support from across the political spectrum.
4. Constitutional Reforms: Through their participation in the legislative councils and advocacy efforts, the Swaraj Party contributed to discussions on constitutional reforms. Their proposals influenced subsequent reforms culminating in the Government of India Act of 1935, which expanded provincial autonomy and laid the groundwork for future constitutional developments.
Shortcomings of the Swaraj Party:
1. Limited Mass Base: The Swaraj Party’s electoral success was concentrated primarily in urban areas and among educated elites. They struggled to mobilize support from rural and marginalized communities, limiting their ability to represent broader sections of Indian society.
2. Internal Divisions: The party faced internal divisions over strategy and tactics, particularly concerning cooperation with the British government. Some leaders advocated for more radical approaches, while others favored a more cautious, reformist approach within the existing constitutional framework.
3. Impact of Repression: British authorities often resorted to repressive measures to curb nationalist activities, including arrests, censorship, and legislative maneuvers to undermine the Swaraj Party’s influence. These challenges undermined their effectiveness and limited their ability to achieve broader nationalist goals.
4. Transition to Congress: Over time, many Swaraj Party leaders reunited with the Indian National Congress under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership. This transition diminished the Swaraj Party’s distinct identity and political influence, as Congress became the dominant force in the nationalist movement.
“We propose to capture the legislatures and to make the administration work for the people in as much as we can do so consistently with the spirit of non-cooperation.” – Motilal Nehru, 1923. In summary, While it achieved notable successes in electoral politics, its limitations in mobilizing mass support and internal divisions impacted its long-term effectiveness as a separate political entity within India’s nationalist movement.
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