Karachi Congress Session—1931

• The Karachi Congress of 1931, held shortly after the execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, marked an important moment in the history of the Indian National Congress.
• Here are the main resolutions passed at the Karachi Session:
  • Bhagat Singh's Death: Congress drafted a resolution, initiated by Gandhi, expressing disapproval of political violence but admiring the bravery and sacrifice of the three martyrs.
  • Delhi Pact (Gandhi-Irwin Pact): The Congress endorsed the Delhi Pact, also known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, and reiterated its commitment to the goal of Poorna Swaraj (complete independence).
  • Fundamental Rights: The Congress, for the first time, defined what Swaraj would mean for the masses by guaranteeing fundamental rights and outlining its economic policies. The resolutions included:
  • Basic civil rights: Free speech, free press, free assembly, freedom of association, and equality before the law regardless of caste, creed, or sex.
    • Neutrality of the state in relation to all religions.
    • Elections based on universal adult franchise.
    • Free and compulsory primary education.
  • Economic measures: Substantial reduction in rent and revenue, relief from agricultural indebtedness, control of usury, and better conditions for workers, including a living wage, limited working hours, and protection for women workers.
• State ownership and control of key industries, mines, and means of transport.
• Protection of the culture, language, and script of minorities and different linguistic areas.
• The Karachi Resolution became the basic political and economic program of the Congress in the subsequent years. While the resolution included some democratic demands and promises to labour, it was seen as a relatively moderate and cautious approach. It did not encompass radical socialist ideas or address issues such as rural indebtedness, landlordism, or land redistribution.
• The resolution has been interpreted as a concession to placate the Left, but it primarily reflected a combination of democratic demands, Gandhi's principles, and modest promises for labour and agrarian reforms. It set the foundation for the Congress's political and economic agenda in the years to come.

The Karachi Congress Session of 1931 was a significant milestone in the Indian independence movement, marked by several resolutions and endorsements:

1. Admiration for Martyrs: Despite disapproving of political violence, the Congress admired the bravery and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, who were executed just days before the session.
2. Endorsement of Gandhi-Irwin Pact: The session endorsed the Delhi Pact or Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which had been signed earlier, recognizing its importance in the struggle for independence.
3. Reiteration of Goal: The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to the goal of purna swaraj, or complete independence, emphasizing the need to continue the fight for freedom.
4. Resolutions on Fundamental Rights: Two resolutions were adopted—one on Fundamental Rights and the other on National Economic Programme. The Resolution on Fundamental Rights guaranteed essential freedoms such as free speech, free press, right to assemble, and universal adult franchise, among others.
5. Resolutions on National Economic Programme: The National Economic Programme resolution focused on economic reforms, including reductions in rent and revenue for landholders and peasants, relief from agricultural indebtedness, control of usury, and better conditions of work for industrial workers.
6. Emphasis on Economic Freedom: The Karachi Resolution emphasized that political freedom must be accompanied by economic freedom, highlighting the importance of addressing the economic exploitation of the masses.
7. Enduring Significance: The resolutions adopted at the Karachi Congress Session remained the basic political and economic program of the Congress in later years, reflecting its enduring significance in shaping the course of the independence movement.

Overall, the Karachi Congress Session of 1931 played a pivotal role in articulating the Congress's vision for India's future, encompassing both political and economic reforms essential for achieving true independence and social justice.