The Indian National Congress attempted to strengthen the Non-Cooperation Movement at its Nagpur session in December 1920. It urged dealers to shun any immigrant business associations and urged government employees to assist with the nationwide event. The importance of using nonviolent means was emphasized once more. The party also underwent some necessary organizational changes. The All India Congress Committee's power was increased to 350, and a Working Committee of 15 members was formed. The Nagpur session was presided over by C. Vijayaraghavachariar. In this article, we will discuss the Nagpur Session which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Nagpur Session - Background

• By December, when the Congress met for its annual session in Nagpur, the opposition had faded.
• The elections had concluded, and thus the boycott of councils was no longer an issue, and it was C.R.Das who introduced the main resolution on non-cooperation.
• The boycott of government-affiliated schools and colleges, law courts, and foreign cloth was part of the non-cooperation program, which could be expanded to include resignation from government service and mass civil disobedience, including non-payment of taxes.
• National schools and colleges were to be established, panchayats were to be established to settle disputes, hand spinning and weaving were to be encouraged, and people were to maintain Hindu-Muslim unity, give up untouchability, and practice strict nonviolence.
• Gandhiji promised that Swaraj would be implemented fully within a year if the program was fully implemented. As a result, the Nagpur session committed Congress to a program of extra-constitutional mass action.
• Many revolutionary terrorist groups, particularly in Bengal, have also pledged their support to the movement.

Nagpur Session - Achievements

• The Congress endorsed the non-violent non-cooperation resolution with the triple purpose of Non-Cooperation as a satisfactory solution to the Khilafat question, redressal of the Punjab wrongs, and attainment of Swaraj.
• Detailed aspects of the program of non-cooperation were suggested which were to be put into force at a time decided by Congress.
• To enable Congress to fulfill this new commitment, important changes were introduced in its aim and organizational structure.
• A new constitution of the Congress party was adopted and the party was reorganized on modern, democratic lines. This was the first major effort in transforming Congress into a real mass-based political party.
• The goal of the Congress was changed from ‘attainment of self-government by constitutional and legal means to attainment of swaraj by peaceful and legislative’ means.

Nagpur Session - Impact

• The resolution on non-cooperation took many forms, including renunciation of voluntary association with the then-Government, refusal to pay taxes, boycotting schools aided or controlled by the Government, and nationalizing educational institutions.
• A call for lawyers to suspend their practice, an economic boycott of foreign goods, encouragement of hand-spinning and hand-weaving, a boycott of Legislative Council elections, and so on.
• Another resolution asked people to popularize Ayurvedic and Unani medical systems by establishing schools, colleges, and hospitals.
• Thousands of students across the country shifted to national educational institutions in response to the boycott call.
  • Some of these students went on to achieve great success, including Lal Bahadur Shastri and Zakir Hussain.
  • Tilak Vidyalaya and Ashtayog Ashram were founded by Jamnalal Bajaj.
• The no-vote campaign was a resounding success in some parts of the country. Many lawyers quit their jobs to devote themselves to the cause of national liberation.
• Bajaj donated Rs 1 lakh to the Tilak Memorial Swaraj Fund in January 1921 to assist lawyers who had participated in the non-cooperation movement.

Conclusion

The Nagpur Congress ushered in a new era in Indian history. The old feelings of impotent rage and impudent requests gave way to a new sense of responsibility and self-reliance. The Nagpur Congress imposed a heavy burden on the nation, and the All India Congress Committee, guided by the Working Committee, took the task seriously. The Nagpur Session committed Congress to a program of extra-constitutional mass actions. Gandhi, with his charismatic personality and novel methods, emerged as the new leader of the Congress Party.

FAQs

Q1: What was the significance of the Nagpur Session of the Indian National Congress?

Q2: When did the Nagpur Session take place?

Q3: Who presided over the Nagpur Session of the Indian National Congress?

Q4: What was the main resolution passed at the Nagpur Session?

Q5: How did the Nagpur Session affect the Indian freedom struggle?

MCQs

1. What was a major outcome of the Nagpur Session of the Indian National Congress?

A) Introduction of the Right to Vote

B) Adoption of the Non-Cooperation Movement

C) Establishment of the Muslim League

D) Formation of the Indian National Army

2. Who was the president of the Indian National Congress during the Nagpur Session?

A) Mahatma Gandhi

B) Jawaharlal Nehru

C) Annie Besant

D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

3. What was one of the key resolutions passed at the Nagpur Session?

A) Acceptance of British reforms

B) Boycott of foreign goods

C) Non-Cooperation with the British government

D) Formation of a separate state for Muslims

4. Which movement was linked to the resolutions passed during the Nagpur Session?

A) Civil Disobedience Movement

B) Quit India Movement

C) Non-Cooperation Movement

D) Swadeshi Movement

5. What was a significant effect of the Nagpur Session on the Congress party?

A) It led to the disbanding of the party.

B) It deepened divisions within the party.

C) It united various factions against British rule.

D) It resulted in a leadership crisis.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the impact of the Nagpur Session of the Indian National Congress on the Indian freedom movement.

Answer: The Nagpur Session of 1920 played a pivotal role in the Indian freedom struggle by adopting the Non-Cooperation Movement, which marked a significant shift towards mass mobilization. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, this session emphasized non-violent resistance and aimed to unite various segments of Indian society against British colonial rule. By boycotting British institutions, educational systems, and goods, the Congress sought to assert Indian self-reliance. This movement catalyzed public participation across the country, fostering a sense of national identity and unity among Indians, which was essential in the subsequent phases of the independence movement.

Q2: Discuss the leadership role of Annie Besant during the Nagpur Session.

Answer: Annie Besant's leadership during the Nagpur Session was crucial for several reasons. As the president of the Indian National Congress, she was instrumental in facilitating discussions that led to the endorsement of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Her ability to bridge various factions within the Congress and her advocacy for social reforms helped garner widespread support. Besant's emphasis on education and self-governance resonated with many Indians, making her a prominent figure in the nationalist movement. Her leadership exemplified the growing involvement of women in Indian politics, paving the way for future female leaders in the struggle for independence.

Q3: Analyze the significance of the resolutions passed at the Nagpur Session in shaping modern India.

Answer: The resolutions passed at the Nagpur Session were significant in shaping the course of modern India by laying the foundation for mass mobilization against British rule. The adoption of the Non-Cooperation Movement was a strategic shift towards a more direct and active form of resistance, encouraging participation from diverse sections of society, including peasants, workers, and students. This collective action not only intensified the struggle for independence but also fostered a sense of nationalism that transcended regional and cultural differences. The legacy of the Nagpur Session is reflected in the later stages of the freedom movement, where similar principles of non-violent resistance and unity were employed to challenge colonial authority.

Previous Year Questions on  Nagpur session

1. UPSC Prelims 2021

Question: What was one of the major outcomes of the Nagpur Session of the Indian National Congress?

Answer: The Nagpur Session held in 1920 resulted in the formal adoption of the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. This marked a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle, as it galvanized mass support against British rule. The session facilitated the unity of various factions within the Congress and mobilized a wide array of societal segments towards a common goal of independence through non-violent means.

2. UPSC Prelims 2019

Question: Who was the president of the Indian National Congress at the Nagpur Session?

Answer: Annie Besant served as the president of the Indian National Congress during the Nagpur Session. Her leadership was crucial in promoting the Non-Cooperation Movement, which sought to resist British rule and mobilize the Indian populace. Annie Besant's advocacy for Indian self-rule and reforms made her a prominent figure in the independence movement, and her presidency at this session marked an essential moment in the Congress's history.