Purna Swarajthe national debate. A Congress leader and famous poet Hasrat Mohani was the first activist to demand complete independence (Poorna Swaraj) from the British in 1921 from an All-India Congress Forum. Veteran Congress leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo and Bipin Chandra Pal had also advocated explicit Indian independence from the Empire. Following the 1919 Amritsar Massacre, there was considerable public outrage against British rule. Europeans, civilians and officials, were targets and victims of violence across India. In 1920, Gandhi and the Congress committed themselves to Swaraj, described as political and spiritual independence. At the time, Gandhi described this as the basic demand of all Indians; he specifically said that the question of whether India would remain within the Empire or leave it completely, would be answered by the behaviour and response of the British. Between 1920 and 1922, Mohandas Gandhi led the NonCooperation movement: nationwide civil disobedience to oppose the Rowlatt Acts and the exclusion of Indians from the government, and the denial of political and civil freedoms. The flag adopted in 1931 and used by the Provisional Government of Free India during the subsequent years of Second World War. The Purna Swaraj declaration, or Declaration of the Independence of India was promulgated by the Indian National Congress on 26 January 1930, resolving the Congress and Indian nationalists to fight for Purna Swaraj, or complete self-rule independent of the British Empire (literally in Sanskrit, purna, “complete,” swa, “self,” raj, “rule,” thus “complete self-rule”). The flag of India had been hoisted by Congress President Jawaharlal Nehru on 31 December 1929, ] in Lahore, modern-day Pakistan, where currently the Minar-ePakistan stands - having also been the exact spot where the Pakistan Declaration was later announced. The Congress asked the people of India to observe 26 January as Independence Day. The flag of India was hoisted publicly across India by Congress volunteers, nationalists and the public. 1 2 Simon commission Nehru report and the In 1928, the British government further outraged people across India by appointing an all-European Simon Commission to deliberate on constitutional and political reforms for India. No Indians were included in the commission, nor were any Indian political parties consulted or asked to involve themselves in the process. Upon arrival in India, Chairman Sir John Simon and other commission members were met with angry public demonstrations, which followed them everywhere. The death of a prominent Indian leader, Lala Lajpat Rai, from severe beatings by British police officials further outraged the Indian public. Background Before 1930, few Indian Political parties had openly embraced the goal of political independence from the United Kingdom. The All India Home Rule League had been advocating Home Rule for India: dominion status within the British Empire, as granted to Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand, and South Africa. The All India Muslim League favoured dominion status as well, and opposed calls for outright Indian independence. The Indian Liberal Party, by far the most pro-British, explicitly opposed India’s independence and even dominion status if it weakened India’s links with the British Empire. The Indian National Congress, the largest Indian political party of the time, was at the head of The Congress appointed an all-Indian commission to propose constitutional reforms for India. Members of other Indian political parties joined the commission led by Congress President Motilal Nehru. The Nehru Report demanded that India be granted self-government under the dominion status within the Empire. While most other Indian political parties supported the Nehru commission’s work, it was opposed by the Indian Liberal Party and the All India Muslim League. The British ignored the com1 . the Congress would the Indian National Congress grew increasingly cohecall upon all Indians to fight for complete independence. .Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore..[3] A very large number of Congress volthey pressed Gandhi to demand immediate actions from unteers and delegates. and preserve political powers for the British Parliament in Indian constitutional affairs. Congress held in Calcutta.[1] Now Bose and Nehru opposed dominion status. Therefore. the reCongress Committee voted 118 to 45 in its favour (the sentment at the failure of negotiation. The British government in India has not where will independence be?[2] only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation The amendment was rejected. Gandhi admonished the Jawaharlal Nehru was elected President and veteran leadmove: ers like Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel returned to the Congress Working ComYou may take the name of independence mittee. that.ties and an especially large public gathering attended the ducing the time given from two years to one. ically. its report and refused to introduce political re.e. and the of the masses. Irwin met with Mohandas Gandhi.2 4 THE DECLARATION mission. Lord Irwin annection and attain Purna Swaraj or complete nounced that the government would meet with Indian repindependence. They were supported in their stand by a large number of rank-and-file Congress. when Bose introduced an amendwas all in marked contrast to the weather. culturally and spiritually. Despite the bitterly cold Nehru voted for the new resolution. Muhammad Ali Jinnah and out-going Congress At midnight on New Year’s Eve. However.[3] 3 Dominion or republic? 4 The declaration But the Nehru Report was also controversial within the Congress. Nehru drafted the Indian declaration of indepenon your lips but all your muttering will be an dence. resulting in the end of the meeting. while Subhash Bose weather. and has ruined India economresolution was fully adopted. Gandhi brokered a further compromise by re. which later became part of Pakistan. which would retain the Monarch of the United Kingdom as the constitutional head of state of India (although in the separate capacity as King of India). the flush45 votes came from supporters of a complete break from ing of faces on hearing the war drums – oh. to grant dominion status to India within two years. The All India The heat of passion and excitement. sive – unified in the desire to oust the British from InBose and Nehru objected to the time given to the British – dia completely. British failed to meet the deadline. and abstained from voting himself. Mohandas Gandhi proposed a resolution that called for the British As a result of the denial of reforms and political rights. by 1350 to 973.. members of other political parthe British. Younger nationalist leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru (Motilal Nehru’s son) demanded that the Congress resolve to make a complete and explicit break from all ties with the British . Gandhi Nehru hoisted the tricolour flag of India upon the banks of asked Irwin if the conference would proceed on the ba. Jawaharlal session convened in Lahore. To facilitate Indian participation. which stated: empty formula if there is no honour behind it. If you are not prepared to stand by your words....[5] resentatives in London for a Round Table Conference.India must sever the British conOn 31 October 1929. If the and the persistent ignorance of Indian political parties.sis of dominion status and Irwin said he could not assure form. it the British). Pattabhi Sitaramayya records that: told his supporters that he would not oppose the resolution. Jawaharlal Nehru had influenced by the idea of Bhagat Singh i. which was rejected because of Gandhi’s opposition. politically. “total independence” then he had introduced a resolution demanding in 1927. where the Declaration of the Indemen. pendence of India and Pakistan Resolution were passed In December 1928. the Viceroy of India.[4] ment during the open session of Congress that sought a complete break with the British.. President Jawaharlal President Motilal Nehru to discuss the meeting.the Ravi in Lahore. On that day in 1950. India became a republic. which included a readiness to withhold taxes. 5 Legacy The Congress regularly observed 26 January as the Independence Day of India – commemorating those who campaigned for Indian independence. One hundred seventy two Indian members of central and provincial legislatures resigned in support of the resolution and in accordance with Indian public sentiment. Patel: B0006EYQ0A A Life. Tendulkar. The History of the Congress. Bombay. p. In 1947. and 15 August became the official Independence Day. G. Patel: A Life.3 A pledge of independence was read out. to commemorate the 1930 declaration. 600 [5] Declaration of independence . Allahabad. Gandhi. However. The Declaration of Independence was officially promulgated on 26 January 1930. 1951. was mandated to take effect on 26 January 1950. 441 [3] R. 171. 6 References [1] Rajmohan Gandhi. 185 [4] Pattabhi Sitaramayya. Gandhi and other Indian leaders would immediately begin the planning of a massive national revolt that would encourage the common people to participate and also help involve revolutionaries into a struggle committed to non-violence. ASIN: [2] D. p. as drafted and approved by the Constituent Assembly of India. Mahatma. 1935.[3] The Salt Satyagraha was initiated by Mohandas Gandhi and the Congress as the first struggle for complete independence. p. the new Constitution of India. p. and the vast majority of people were witnessed to raise their hands in approval. The massive gathering of public attending the ceremony were asked if they agreed with it. the British agreed to transfer power and political independence to India. svg License: Public domain Contributors: http://www. Knowz.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Scanned by Yann (<a href='//commons.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:July_9_2005_-_Minar-e-Pakistan_panoramic. MisfitToys.crwflags.in Original artist: Defined by the Indian government as national emblem • File:Folder_Hexagonal_Icon. Bastin. Titodutta.iitd. Jayantanth.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.wikimedia.nic.supremecourtofindia. Alkari.html Original artist: Nicholas (Nichalp) • File:Commons-logo. 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