Page 29
RISE OF LEFT IN INDIA
Impact of Russian Revolution
The overthrow of the Czar by the Bolshevik Party of Lenin demonstrated the power of mass mobilization in 1917
Socialist doctrines acquired sudden attraction. New leaders wanted a socialist revision of the structure of the society
Emergence of leaders like Nehru and Bose
Shifting of revolutionary thinkers like Bhagat Singh and Azad towards Socialism
In 1920s establishment of CPI (M) by MN Roy and Communist Socialist Party by JP Narayan. The later was to work within Congress to strengthen Congress and give it a Socialist outlook
Nationalism and Socialism got combined. Even after Independence India largely followed a Socialist Model
Mode of Operation of Communists
Labor Swaraj Party was organized within Congress to make it a more radical mass-based organization
Regional Kisan and Worker groups were re-structured into Workers and Peasants Party (WPP) – aim was to organize peasants and workers in class organization
Resulted into resurgence of the working class into the National Movement
Kanpur “Bolshevik” Conspiracy – Bhagat Singh
Impact of Left
Bringing peasants and workers to the mainstream national movement
Resolution of FR, Poorna Swaraj and Economic Policy of India
Setting up of National Planning Committee in 1938
Introduced the culture of forming occupational associations like All India Student Federation, All India Progressive Writers Association etc
Page 30
THE DEBATE PERIOD – 1934-37
Overview:
Gandhi – Do Constructive work in villages
Swarajists – revival of constitutional method of struggle and participation in the elections to CLA
Leftist – Continue mass movement. Other methods would side track mass action
Due to these ideological differences Gandhi quit Congress in 1934
Role of Nehru in abridging the gap
Basic goal to Nehru = abolition of capitalism and establishment of socialism
Withdrawal of CDM and council entry = going back to Moderate Era
Stressed on class basis of society and role of class struggle in the National Movement
Nehru vs Gandhi
Gandhian strategy = Struggle – Truce – Struggle
Nehru = Struggle – Victory
o Permanent Confrontation till overthrow of Imperialism.
o Setbacks are bound to happen but there shouldn’t be a passive phase or compromise or cooperation with colonial framework
o Must maintain an aggressive direct action policy
o Stage was set after Lahore Session of 1929 and Congress must not back down
o Post 1934 (when Gandhi quit Congress), Nehru went on nationwide tours, addressing millions of people which made him reconcile with the Gandhian strategy of STS.
Government of India Act 1935
Read Laxmikant chapter 1 + Page 186 Spectrum
Main feature –
o Establishment of All India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states as units
? Division of power among Centre and units in terms of 3 lists:
? Federal , Provincial and Concurrent
? Note – The Federation never came into being because princely states didn’t join it
o Abolished Dyarchy and introduced Provincial Autonomy:
? Provinces to be governed by elected ministers headed by governor
Page 31
? But everything could be vetoed by Governors appointed by the British Government
? Thus both eco and pol power remained with British
o Introduced bicameralism in some provinces
o Separate electorate for depressed class
o Abolished Council of India established by the GOI Act 1958
o Extended franchise to ~10% of the population
o Est of RBI , Federal Public Service Commission, Provincial PSC
o Est Supreme Court of India
Left vs Right Debate on GOI Act 1935
Both agreed that the Act needed to be opposed absolutely
Differences cropped up on the method to be adopted
Left:
o Opposed to council entry and therefore working of 1935 Act
o It would mean supporting the repressive apparatus of imperialism
o Council Entry would take away the revolutionary character of the movement
Right:
o Even they were committing to protest against 1935 Act
o Saw legislature participation as short term tactic
o Rejection of office is not a matter of socialism
o Vacanted offices would be taken up by others
o Provincial ministers could be useful in carrying out constructive work especially in case of Harijans, Khadi and Education etc
Lucknow Session 1936
Congress decided to fight election
Both groups agreed to stick together
Impact of Congress Rule (1937-39)
Changed the entire psychological environment of the country. The closest people ever got to feeling a sense of freedom
Increase in the prestige of Congress amongst masses, especially peasants
Congress had limitations – couldn’t change the basic structure of imperialist rule
But, extension of civil liberties like all restriction on press lifted
All emergency power acquired by provinces in 1932 were repealed
Bans of Indian organizations lifted , but ban on Communist party remained
Confiscated arms were returned
Reduction of rent and land revenue for the peasants
Page 32
Giving away of confiscated land
All illegal exactions like Nazrana (forced gifts) Begar were abolished
In 1938, Industrial Disputes Act was introduced which provided a legal channel to address worker grievances without resorting to strikes
In social reforms, passing of laws for temple entry by Harijans
Unrestricted access to public goods of transport, water, post office etc.
National Planning Committee appointed in 1938 by Congress President SC Bose
Limitations
Opposing Legislative Council – full of landlords, Zamindars etc
Constraint of time
Veto powers in the hand Governor
Major revenue resources in the hand of Central Government
Agrarian structure was too complex to rectify quickly
Criticism and Dilemma
Dilemma = How could a party run a government while simultaneously organizing popular movements against the same government?
Masses looked upon the Congress Minister with a “sense of ownership”
The Kisan Sabhas misused the new found freedom and cases of physical assault on landlords were reported
In Bombay, AITUC along with Communists striked against their own ministers for passing the Industrial Disputes Act – perceived to curtail worker’s freedom
Left were their biggest critic – blaming them to be pro-government
There was alleged corruption on the part of some ministers – an issue repeatedly raised by Gandhi in ‘Harijan’
In Nehru’s words – “We are sinking to the level of ordinary politicians
Seeing the increasing divide in Congress the ministers resigned in 1939 in the wake of WW II
Conclusion
When the All India Political crisis occurred and the Central leadership wanted it, Ministries promptly resigned demonstrating that they were not out for power and office but for the emancipation of the people of India from foreign rule
Page 33
INDIAN CAPITALISTS AND THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Viewpoint of Capitalist Class
Supported constitutional means as opposed to civil disobedience
The feared civil disobedience would result in severe repression that might affect capitalists itself
They were unwilling to support a prolonged all out hostility against government as it disrupted their day to day business
Supported Congress to go for RTC and other negotiations
Were against Swadeshi, Boycott, NCM and Gandhian tactics of passive resistance
Gradually shifted to supporting the CDM movement of 1930s (had started supporting Congress by late 1920s)
Controlled Congress through funding. It is alleged that Gandhi Irwin Pact was sealed by them
Page 34
DEVELOPMENT OF A FOREIGN POLICY
From the beginning, Indian Nationalists opposed the British policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and the use of the Indian Army and India’s resources to promote, extend and defend British Imperialism in Africa and Asia
Before 1900
Condemned Second Afghan War (1878-80)
Congress condemned annexation of Burma in 1885
Expansionist ‘forward’ policy followed by government in 1890 on the North Western Frontier aroused Indian anger. British claimed it was to contain Russian aggression
1900s
Rise of Japan as an industrial power after 1868 gave Indians the confidence that ‘backward’ Asian countries could also develop
But also criticized it for attacking China in 1895 and then Russia in 1904
Congress supported British during WWI in the hope that a victory would result in extension of independent powers to India
Leaders like Nehru championed the cause of colonies at the International Congress against Colonial Oppression and Imperialism held in Brussels in 1927.
Post 1936 – Against Fascism
Rise of Fascism – Congress totally against it
Extended full support to countries like Ethiopia (attacked by Fascist Italy), Spain, China etc in their struggle against fascist aggression
Gandhi condemned Hitler for the Jewish genocide as well German political aggression against Czechoslovakia
Congress interpreted this allowing of ‘aggression’ as betrayal by Britain and France to isolate Soviet Union
At Tripuri in 1939, congress dissociated itself completely from British Foreign Policy
Solidarity with Palestine
Jews hunted and killed in Germany fled to British controlled Arab Palestine and tried to carve out a homeland for themselves under Zionist leadership
India sympathized with the plight of the Jews but they also criticized their efforts to deprive Arabs of their due
Current status – Full support to Palestine while maintaining good relations with Israel
Pro-Soviet tilt
Page 35
Indian leaders reacted favorably to the Russian Revolution in 1917
During 1920s the rising socialist and communist groups and intellectuals were attracted by Soviet Union – its egalitarianism, socialist idealism, anti-imperialism and 5 Year Plans.
Moderate leaders though were put off by Communists violence
CPI (M) and Congress Socialist Party were founded in 1930s , strongly based on Soviet Socialist Philosophy
Kisan Sabhas, Trade Unions channeled worker grievances in organized manner after seeing what peasants and workers power could achieve
RISE OF LEFT IN INDIA
Impact of Russian Revolution
The overthrow of the Czar by the Bolshevik Party of Lenin demonstrated the power of mass mobilization in 1917
Socialist doctrines acquired sudden attraction. New leaders wanted a socialist revision of the structure of the society
Emergence of leaders like Nehru and Bose
Shifting of revolutionary thinkers like Bhagat Singh and Azad towards Socialism
In 1920s establishment of CPI (M) by MN Roy and Communist Socialist Party by JP Narayan. The later was to work within Congress to strengthen Congress and give it a Socialist outlook
Nationalism and Socialism got combined. Even after Independence India largely followed a Socialist Model
Mode of Operation of Communists
Labor Swaraj Party was organized within Congress to make it a more radical mass-based organization
Regional Kisan and Worker groups were re-structured into Workers and Peasants Party (WPP) – aim was to organize peasants and workers in class organization
Resulted into resurgence of the working class into the National Movement
Kanpur “Bolshevik” Conspiracy – Bhagat Singh
Impact of Left
Bringing peasants and workers to the mainstream national movement
Resolution of FR, Poorna Swaraj and Economic Policy of India
Setting up of National Planning Committee in 1938
Introduced the culture of forming occupational associations like All India Student Federation, All India Progressive Writers Association etc
Page 30
THE DEBATE PERIOD – 1934-37
Overview:
Gandhi – Do Constructive work in villages
Swarajists – revival of constitutional method of struggle and participation in the elections to CLA
Leftist – Continue mass movement. Other methods would side track mass action
Due to these ideological differences Gandhi quit Congress in 1934
Role of Nehru in abridging the gap
Basic goal to Nehru = abolition of capitalism and establishment of socialism
Withdrawal of CDM and council entry = going back to Moderate Era
Stressed on class basis of society and role of class struggle in the National Movement
Nehru vs Gandhi
Gandhian strategy = Struggle – Truce – Struggle
Nehru = Struggle – Victory
o Permanent Confrontation till overthrow of Imperialism.
o Setbacks are bound to happen but there shouldn’t be a passive phase or compromise or cooperation with colonial framework
o Must maintain an aggressive direct action policy
o Stage was set after Lahore Session of 1929 and Congress must not back down
o Post 1934 (when Gandhi quit Congress), Nehru went on nationwide tours, addressing millions of people which made him reconcile with the Gandhian strategy of STS.
Government of India Act 1935
Read Laxmikant chapter 1 + Page 186 Spectrum
Main feature –
o Establishment of All India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states as units
? Division of power among Centre and units in terms of 3 lists:
? Federal , Provincial and Concurrent
? Note – The Federation never came into being because princely states didn’t join it
o Abolished Dyarchy and introduced Provincial Autonomy:
? Provinces to be governed by elected ministers headed by governor
Page 31
? But everything could be vetoed by Governors appointed by the British Government
? Thus both eco and pol power remained with British
o Introduced bicameralism in some provinces
o Separate electorate for depressed class
o Abolished Council of India established by the GOI Act 1958
o Extended franchise to ~10% of the population
o Est of RBI , Federal Public Service Commission, Provincial PSC
o Est Supreme Court of India
Left vs Right Debate on GOI Act 1935
Both agreed that the Act needed to be opposed absolutely
Differences cropped up on the method to be adopted
Left:
o Opposed to council entry and therefore working of 1935 Act
o It would mean supporting the repressive apparatus of imperialism
o Council Entry would take away the revolutionary character of the movement
Right:
o Even they were committing to protest against 1935 Act
o Saw legislature participation as short term tactic
o Rejection of office is not a matter of socialism
o Vacanted offices would be taken up by others
o Provincial ministers could be useful in carrying out constructive work especially in case of Harijans, Khadi and Education etc
Lucknow Session 1936
Congress decided to fight election
Both groups agreed to stick together
Impact of Congress Rule (1937-39)
Changed the entire psychological environment of the country. The closest people ever got to feeling a sense of freedom
Increase in the prestige of Congress amongst masses, especially peasants
Congress had limitations – couldn’t change the basic structure of imperialist rule
But, extension of civil liberties like all restriction on press lifted
All emergency power acquired by provinces in 1932 were repealed
Bans of Indian organizations lifted , but ban on Communist party remained
Confiscated arms were returned
Reduction of rent and land revenue for the peasants
Page 32
Giving away of confiscated land
All illegal exactions like Nazrana (forced gifts) Begar were abolished
In 1938, Industrial Disputes Act was introduced which provided a legal channel to address worker grievances without resorting to strikes
In social reforms, passing of laws for temple entry by Harijans
Unrestricted access to public goods of transport, water, post office etc.
National Planning Committee appointed in 1938 by Congress President SC Bose
Limitations
Opposing Legislative Council – full of landlords, Zamindars etc
Constraint of time
Veto powers in the hand Governor
Major revenue resources in the hand of Central Government
Agrarian structure was too complex to rectify quickly
Criticism and Dilemma
Dilemma = How could a party run a government while simultaneously organizing popular movements against the same government?
Masses looked upon the Congress Minister with a “sense of ownership”
The Kisan Sabhas misused the new found freedom and cases of physical assault on landlords were reported
In Bombay, AITUC along with Communists striked against their own ministers for passing the Industrial Disputes Act – perceived to curtail worker’s freedom
Left were their biggest critic – blaming them to be pro-government
There was alleged corruption on the part of some ministers – an issue repeatedly raised by Gandhi in ‘Harijan’
In Nehru’s words – “We are sinking to the level of ordinary politicians
Seeing the increasing divide in Congress the ministers resigned in 1939 in the wake of WW II
Conclusion
When the All India Political crisis occurred and the Central leadership wanted it, Ministries promptly resigned demonstrating that they were not out for power and office but for the emancipation of the people of India from foreign rule
Page 33
INDIAN CAPITALISTS AND THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Viewpoint of Capitalist Class
Supported constitutional means as opposed to civil disobedience
The feared civil disobedience would result in severe repression that might affect capitalists itself
They were unwilling to support a prolonged all out hostility against government as it disrupted their day to day business
Supported Congress to go for RTC and other negotiations
Were against Swadeshi, Boycott, NCM and Gandhian tactics of passive resistance
Gradually shifted to supporting the CDM movement of 1930s (had started supporting Congress by late 1920s)
Controlled Congress through funding. It is alleged that Gandhi Irwin Pact was sealed by them
Page 34
DEVELOPMENT OF A FOREIGN POLICY
From the beginning, Indian Nationalists opposed the British policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and the use of the Indian Army and India’s resources to promote, extend and defend British Imperialism in Africa and Asia
Before 1900
Condemned Second Afghan War (1878-80)
Congress condemned annexation of Burma in 1885
Expansionist ‘forward’ policy followed by government in 1890 on the North Western Frontier aroused Indian anger. British claimed it was to contain Russian aggression
1900s
Rise of Japan as an industrial power after 1868 gave Indians the confidence that ‘backward’ Asian countries could also develop
But also criticized it for attacking China in 1895 and then Russia in 1904
Congress supported British during WWI in the hope that a victory would result in extension of independent powers to India
Leaders like Nehru championed the cause of colonies at the International Congress against Colonial Oppression and Imperialism held in Brussels in 1927.
Post 1936 – Against Fascism
Rise of Fascism – Congress totally against it
Extended full support to countries like Ethiopia (attacked by Fascist Italy), Spain, China etc in their struggle against fascist aggression
Gandhi condemned Hitler for the Jewish genocide as well German political aggression against Czechoslovakia
Congress interpreted this allowing of ‘aggression’ as betrayal by Britain and France to isolate Soviet Union
At Tripuri in 1939, congress dissociated itself completely from British Foreign Policy
Solidarity with Palestine
Jews hunted and killed in Germany fled to British controlled Arab Palestine and tried to carve out a homeland for themselves under Zionist leadership
India sympathized with the plight of the Jews but they also criticized their efforts to deprive Arabs of their due
Current status – Full support to Palestine while maintaining good relations with Israel
Pro-Soviet tilt
Page 35
Indian leaders reacted favorably to the Russian Revolution in 1917
During 1920s the rising socialist and communist groups and intellectuals were attracted by Soviet Union – its egalitarianism, socialist idealism, anti-imperialism and 5 Year Plans.
Moderate leaders though were put off by Communists violence
CPI (M) and Congress Socialist Party were founded in 1930s , strongly based on Soviet Socialist Philosophy
Kisan Sabhas, Trade Unions channeled worker grievances in organized manner after seeing what peasants and workers power could achieve
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