Lahore Congress and Purna Swaraj

The Lahore Congress session held in December 1929 marked a significant milestone in the Indian independence movement, particularly with the declaration of Purna Swaraj or complete independence as the goal of the Indian National Congress. Jawaharlal Nehru, who played a pivotal role in popularizing the concept of Purna Swaraj, was nominated as the president for the session, despite facing opposition from a majority of Provincial Congress Committees.

Nehru's presidency was supported by Mahatma Gandhi, mainly due to the appropriateness of the occasion and to recognize the significant contribution of the youth in the anti-Simon campaign's success. In his presidential address, Nehru declared an "open conspiracy" to free India from foreign rule and invited all countrymen to join it. He also expressed his socialist and republican beliefs, advocating for the abolition of monarchy and the exploitative practices of industrialists.

Nehru outlined the methods of struggle, emphasizing the importance of peaceful mass movements, except in times of organized revolt. During the Lahore session, several key decisions were made:

1. Boycott of Round Table Conference: The Congress decided to boycott the Round Table Conference, rejecting the British government's proposed constitutional reforms.
2. Declaration of Complete Independence: Purna Swaraj was officially declared as the aim of the Congress, symbolizing the demand for full sovereignty and self-rule.
3. Programme of Civil Disobedience: The Congress Working Committee was authorized to launch a programme of civil disobedience, including non-payment of taxes, and members of legislatures were urged to resign their seats in protest.
4. Independence Day: January 26, 1930, was designated as the first Independence Day (Swarajya Diwas), to be celebrated nationwide.

On December 31, 1929, at midnight on the banks of the River Ravi, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the newly adopted tricolour flag of freedom, marking a symbolic moment of defiance and determination towards achieving independence, amidst slogans of "Inquilab Zindabad" (Long Live the Revolution). This event marked a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle, solidifying the commitment of the Indian National Congress and its leaders to the cause of complete independence from British rule.

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On January 26, 1930, the day designated as Independence Day by the Indian National Congress, public meetings were held across the country in villages and towns to commemorate the occasion. During these gatherings, the Independence Pledge, believed to have been drafted by Mahatma Gandhi, was read out in various local languages, and the national flag was hoisted as a symbol of defiance and unity in the struggle for freedom.

The Independence Pledge articulated several key points:

1. Inalienable Right to Freedom: It affirmed that freedom is the inherent and non-negotiable right of every Indian.
2. Critique of British Rule: It denounced the British Government in India for depriving Indians of their freedom and exploiting them economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually. The pledge called for the severance of the British connection and the attainment of Purna Swaraj, or complete independence.
3. Economic Exploitation: It highlighted the economic exploitation faced by Indians, including high revenue, destruction of village industries, and manipulation of customs, currency, and exchange rates to the detriment of India.
4. Political Rights Denied: It criticized the denial of political rights and free association, as well as the suppression of administrative talent.
5. Cultural and Spiritual Impact: It lamented the cultural and spiritual impact of British rule, including the disruption of traditional education systems and compulsory disarmament.
6. Rejection of British Rule: It declared it a crime against humanity and divinity to submit any longer to British rule, affirming the resolve to end this "inhuman rule."
7. Preparation for Independence: It pledged to prepare for complete independence by withdrawing voluntary associations from the British government and engaging in civil disobedience through non-payment of taxes, as per the instructions of the Indian National Congress.

The Independence Pledge encapsulated the sentiments of millions of Indians who were committed to the cause of freedom and served as a rallying cry for the civil disobedience movement that followed.