Towards Civil Disobedience Movement

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🏛 Swaraj Party (1923)

  • Leaders: Motilal Nehru & C. R. Das.
  • Formed in December 1922 after withdrawal of NCM.
  • Members called Swarajists.
  • Aim: Continue political activities by entering legislative councils to oppose British policies from within.

📜 Simon Commission (1927)

  • Formed: November 1927 as Indian Statutory Commission.
  • Purpose: Examine India’s constitutional structure & recommend reforms.
  • Problem:
    • All 7 members were British.
    • ❌ No Indian representation → seen as an insult to Indian self-respect.

❌ Reasons for Boycott:

  1. Entirely British membership.
  2. No Indian in the commission.
  3. Ignored Indian demand for Swaraj.

📢 Protests:

  • Black flag demonstrations: “Simon Go Back” slogan.
  • All major parties united in boycott.

📌 Viceroy Lord Irwin’s Response:

  • Offered vague promise of Dominion Status in future.
  • Proposed a Round Table Conference to discuss constitutional reforms.

📈 Impact of Simon Commission:

  • Assured Indian opinion would be considered in reforms.
  • Recommended continuation of separate communal electorates until tensions eased.
  • Inspired greater unity in freedom struggle.
  • Eventually led to Government of India Act, 1935 — basis for many parts of present Constitution.

📅 Poorna Swaraj (1930)

  • December 1929: Lahore Congress Session under Jawaharlal Nehru → formalised demand for Complete Independence (Purna Swaraj).
  • 26 January 1930: Declared Independence Day → People took pledge to fight for complete independence.
  • The celebration got limited public response → Gandhi sought to connect the idea of freedom with everyday issues.

🤝 Round Table Conferences

Aim: Discuss constitutional reforms for India.

  1. First RTC:
    • 📅 Nov 12, 1930 – Jan 19, 1931.
    • Most INC leaders absent (due to Civil Disobedience Movement).
  2. Second RTC:
    • 📅 Sept 7 – Dec 1, 1931.
    • Gandhi attended as sole INC representative.
  3. Third RTC:
    • 📅 Nov 17, 1932.
    • Most major Indian political leaders absent.
    • British Labour Party & INC boycotted.

📜 Poona Pact (Sept 1932)

  • Agreement between Dr. B. R. Ambedkar & Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Terms:
    • Depressed Classes (later known as Scheduled Castes) given reserved seats in provincial & central legislatures.
    • These seats to be elected by general electorate, not separate electorates.