Who along with Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party within the Congress to argue for a return to council politics?
Formation of the Swaraj Party
The Swaraj Party, officially known as the Congress-Khilafat Swarajaya Party, was formed in 1923 by Indian nationalists who wanted to enter the legislative councils established by the Government of India Act 1919.
Following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement by Mahatma Gandhi after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, there was a division within the Indian National Congress. Some leaders felt that the nationalist movement should continue its struggle by participating in the council elections and obstructing the government from within.
This group was led by prominent figures who advocated for 'council entry'.
Leaders Advocating for Council Entry
The main leaders who championed the idea of entering the legislative councils were:
- Motilal Nehru
- CR Das (Chittaranjan Das)
- Ajmal Khan
- Vithalbhai Patel
- S. Satyamurti
These leaders, often referred to as the 'Pro-changers' or 'Swarajists', believed that entering the councils was a way to expose the flaws of the colonial administration from within the system itself, rather than boycotting it entirely, which was the stance of the 'No-changers' led by figures like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, C. Rajagopalachari, and Rajendra Prasad.
Founders of the Swaraj Party
The question specifically asks who, along with Motilal Nehru, was instrumental in forming the Swaraj Party. The two primary founders and leaders of the Swaraj Party were:
- CR Das (Chittaranjan Das): He served as the first President of the Swaraj Party.
- Motilal Nehru: He served as one of the Secretaries and later a prominent leader of the party.
They resigned from their positions in the Congress and formed the Swaraj Party in January 1923. Their aim was to contest the upcoming elections and carry the non-cooperation spirit into the legislative councils.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options in the context of the Swaraj Party formation:
- Subhas Chandra Bose: Subhas Chandra Bose emerged as a prominent leader later. While associated with the Congress and later forming his own party, he was not a co-founder of the Swaraj Party in 1923.
- CR Das: Chittaranjan Das, also known as Deshbandhu, was a very influential leader in the Indian National Congress. He was a strong advocate for council entry and was the co-founder and first president of the Swaraj Party along with Motilal Nehru. This option aligns with the historical facts about the formation of the Swaraj Party.
- Jawaharlal Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru, Motilal Nehru's son, was also a significant leader in the Congress. However, at the time of the Swaraj Party's formation, he was more aligned with the 'No-changers' group, although he later worked closely with Swarajist leaders. He was not a co-founder of the Swaraj Party.
- BR Ambedkar: BR Ambedkar was a towering figure in Indian history, known for his work on social justice and drafting the Constitution. He operated largely outside the immediate fold of the Indian National Congress mainstream activities related to the Swaraj Party formation and council entry debate. He was not involved in forming the Swaraj Party.
Based on historical records, the correct answer is the leader who co-founded the Swaraj Party with Motilal Nehru, which was CR Das.
| Group | Leaders | Stance on Council Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Swarajists (Pro-changers) | CR Das, Motilal Nehru, Ajmal Khan | Advocated for entering legislative councils to obstruct and expose the government. |
| No-changers | Sardar Patel, C. Rajagopalachari, Rajendra Prasad | Advocated for continuing boycott of councils and focusing on constructive work outside. |
Revision Table: Swaraj Party Basics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formed In | January 1923 |
| Formed By | CR Das and Motilal Nehru |
| Within | Indian National Congress (as a faction) |
| Primary Objective | Enter legislative councils, obstruct government from within |
| Context | Division in Congress after Non-Cooperation Movement withdrawal |
Additional Information: Council Entry Debate
The debate over 'council entry' was a significant one within the Indian National Congress following the end of the Non-Cooperation Movement. While Mahatma Gandhi and his supporters believed in continuing non-cooperation through constructive programs outside the councils, a section of leaders felt that boycotting the councils was unproductive. They argued that elected representatives could use the council platform to voice nationalist demands, oppose unjust laws, and expose the limitations of the reforms introduced by the British government.
The Swarajists successfully contested the elections held in November 1923, winning a significant number of seats, especially in the Central Legislative Assembly and some provincial councils. They were able to create considerable difficulties for the government on various issues. However, after the death of CR Das in 1925, the party weakened, and eventually, the 'Pro-changers' and 'No-changers' factions largely reunited within the Congress.
Important Questions from Foundation of the Indian National Congress
Which British retired Civil Service Officer took the initiative to convene the first meeting of the Indian National Union?
The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay in _______ under the Presidentship of Womesh Chandra Banerjee.
Name the first lady President of the Indian National Congress.
_________ was the first president of Indian National Congress.
Who was the founding President of the Indian National Congress?
