Sunday, March 28, 2021
Swaraj party:
The Swaraj Party was a political party in India that played a significant role during the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.
Here are the key details about the Swaraj Party:
Formation:
The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by leaders of the Indian National Congress who were dissatisfied with the non-cooperation movement's suspension in 1922.
Founders:
The party was founded by prominent Congress leaders Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru. C. R. Das, a respected leader and lawyer, played a crucial role in establishing the Swaraj Party.
Objective:
The Swaraj Party aimed to contest elections and work within the constitutional framework to push for self-governance (Swaraj) within the British colonial system. Unlike the non-cooperation movement, the Swaraj Party advocated participating in legislative councils and other political institutions.
Participation in Elections:
The Swaraj Party contested elections to the legislative councils established by the Government of India Act of 1919. In the 1923 elections, the party won a significant number of seats.
Ideological Stand:
The Swaraj Party believed in parliamentary democracy and sought to use legislative means to promote Indian interests. They wanted to demonstrate Indian political capability and achieve self-rule through constitutional methods.
Leadership:
Motilal Nehru served as the president of the Swaraj Party, while C. R. Das was its main strategist and ideologue.
Working within the System:
Swaraj Party members participated in the legislative councils, raising issues related to Indian self-governance, agrarian problems, and civil rights.
Criticism and Opposition:
The Swaraj Party faced criticism from some quarters within the Indian National Congress, particularly from those who preferred non-cooperation and mass agitation methods over participating in legislative bodies.
Legacy:
The Swaraj Party's participation in the legislative process demonstrated the ability of Indians to engage in democratic politics. Although the party's influence declined in the later years of the independence movement, it contributed to shaping the political discourse in colonial India.
The Swaraj Party's approach of working within the constitutional framework represented a pragmatic approach to achieving self-governance, balancing electoral participation with the larger goal of complete independence.