The Indian National Congress (INC) is a political party founded on December 28, 1885 with deep roots in India advocating for reforms and self governance within the British Empire .The Indian National Congress played a pivotal role in influencing constitutional reforms during the moderate phase, from 1885 to 1905.

Key Contributions –

1. The Indian National Congress’ economic critique of British imperialism highlighted the exploitative drain of India’s wealth, uneven trade practices and neglect of Indian industries informing their push for constitutional reforms.
2. Constitutional reforms as advocated by the Indian National Congress involved expanding legislative councils, increasing Indian representation and separating the judiciary from the executive, ultimately aiming to democratize the governance of British India .
3. Protection of civil rights was a key role of the Indian National Congress in influencing constitutional reforms. They advocated for freedom of speech, press and expression opposing any attempts to limit these freedoms .
4. The Indian National Congress’s welfare activities during the Moderate Phase focused on promoting primary education and agricultural development. They advocated for the establishment of agricultural banks to rescue peasants from money lenders .

While the Congress faced significant challenges during this period including hostility from the British government, their efforts laid the groundwork for future constitutional reforms and the eventual struggle for independence.

The Government of India Act 1935 established a federal structure, dividing power between the center and provinces and introduced provincial autonomy, bicameral legislature and increased Indian representation paving the way for India’s eventual independence.The Government of India Act of 1935 had a significant impact on the federal structure and provincial autonomy in India. Here are some key aspects –

Federal Structure –

1. The Act introduced a federal structure, dividing power between the central government and the provinces.
2. The Act established a bicameral legislature at the center comprising the Council of States (Upper House) and the Federal Assembly (Lower House).
3. The Act distributed powers between the center and the provinces with the center retaining control over key areas like defense, foreign policy and communications.

Provincial Autonomy –

1. The Act granted provinces greater autonomy with provincial governments responsible for areas like education, healthcare and agriculture.
2. The Act introduced elected provincial governments with governors appointed by the British monarch serving as constitutional heads.
3. The Act established provincial legislatures comprising elected representatives and having the power to make laws on provincial subjects.

Impact –

• The Act led to the decentralization of power with provinces gaining greater autonomy and responsibility.
• The Act increased Indian participation in government with more elected representatives in provincial legislatures and the central legislature.
• The Act laid the groundwork for India’s eventual independence providing a framework for governance and power distribution.

Overall, the Government of India Act of 1935 marked a significant step towards Indian self rule, introducing a federal structure and increasing provincial autonomy.

The Simon Commission established in 1927 was a british led inquiry into India’s constitutional reforms. Its recommendations published in 1930 proposed limited autonomy for India sparking widespread protests and boycotts across the country.The Simon Commission’s recommendations, published in 1930, reflected British attitudes towards Indian self rule in several ways –

1. The commission recommended granting India a limited form of autonomy with the British government retaining control over key areas such as defense, foreign affairs and finance.
2. The commission rejected the idea of granting India dominion status which would have made India a self governing dominion of the British Empire.
3. The commission recommended a gradual approach to Indian self rule with incremental reforms and increased representation for Indians in government.
4. The commission’s recommendations ensured that the British government retained significant power and control over India including the power to veto legislation and appoint key officials.
5. The commission’s report was criticized for its lack of Indian representation and input reflecting the British government’s paternalistic attitude towards India.

Overall, the Simon Commission’s recommendations reflected the British government’s cautious and gradual approach to Indian self rule while maintaining significant control and power over India.

Communal tensions in India have a complex history dating back to the colonial era.Communal tensions had a profound impact on the constitutional development and political landscape in India, particularly during the British colonial period and the lead up to independence. Here are some ways in which communal tensions affected India’s constitutional development and political landscape –

1. The British introduced separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims in 1909 which created separate political representation for each community. This policy reinforced communal divisions and made it difficult to achieve consensus on constitutional issues.
2. The British government’s emphasis on communal representation led to the creation of separate seats for Muslims, Sikhs and other minority communities in the legislative councils. This system perpetuated communal divisions and hindered the development of a unified Indian identity.
3. The growth of communal tensions and the perceived need for a separate homeland for Muslims led to the emergence of the Pakistan Movement in the 1940s. This movement ultimately resulted in the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
4. Communal tensions created a constitutional impasse making it difficult for Indian leaders to agree on a constitutional framework. The Muslim League’s insistence on separate electorates and greater autonomy for Muslim majority provinces hindered the development of a unified constitution.
5. The communal tensions and the eventual partition of India had a profound impact on the development of secularism in India. The Indian Constitution adopted in 1950 enshrined secularism as a fundamental principle but the legacy of communal tensions continues to influence Indian politics and society.
6. The partition of India in 1947 resulted in one of the largest mass migrations in history with millions of people crossing the newly created border between India and Pakistan. The legacy of partition continues to shape the political landscape of both countries with ongoing tensions and disputes over issues like Kashmir and border demarcation.

In conclusion, communal tensions had a profound impact on India’s constitutional development and political landscape. The legacy of these tensions continues to shape Indian politics and society with ongoing debates over issues like secularism, federalism and the rights of minority communities.

Constitutional amendments such as the Morley Minto Reforms (1909) and the Montagu Chelmsford Reforms (1919), failed to grant meaningful self rule, fueling the Indian independence movement and ultimately leading to the demand for total independence from british rule.The failure of constitutional amendments played a significant role in the movement toward total independence from British rule in India. Here are some key ways in which these failures contributed to the independence movement –

1. The failure of constitutional amendments such as the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) and the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) created widespread disillusionment among Indians regarding British intentions. Indians felt that the British were not genuinely committed to granting them meaningful self-rule.
2. The failure of constitutional amendments fueled the growth of nationalism in India. Many Indians began to question the legitimacy of British rule and demanded greater autonomy or complete independence.
3. The failure of constitutional amendments led to the rise of the Indian National Congress (INC) as a major force in Indian politics. The INC under the leadership of figures like Mahatma Gandhi began to mobilize mass support for independence.
4. The failure of constitutional amendments also led to the launch of non cooperation and civil disobedience movements by the INC. These movements which involved mass protests, boycotts and acts of civil disobedience marked a significant escalation in the independence struggle.

The failure of constitutional amendments ultimately galvanized the Indian independence movement as Indians realized that meaningful self rule could only be achieved through total independence from British rule paving the way for India’s eventual freedom in 194