Swarajists and No-Changers

• The Indian National Congress experienced a division within its ranks, resulting in two distinct ideological groups: the Swarajists and the No Changers. This division was primarily centred around their stance on participating in or boycotting councils. The Swarajists aimed to put an end to the council boycott, whereas the No Changers insisted on continuing the boycott. Notable figures associated with the Swarajist faction included CR Das, Vithalbhai Patel, Motilal Nehru, and Hakim Ahmed Khan. On the other hand, prominent members of the No Changers included C Rajagopalachari, Vallabhbhai Patel, MA Ansari, and Rajendra Prasad.
• The primary objectives of this article are to provide you with an understanding of the emergence of the Swarajists as a significant trend in nationalist politics. This period witnessed the establishment of the Swaraj Party, led by Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das. By studying this unit, you will:
• Gain familiarity with the origins of the Swaraj Party and the ideology it advocated.
• Understand the party's program and the factors that led to its eventual disintegration.
• Evaluate the Swaraj Party's contributions to Indian politics.
• Receive a summary of the events that unfolded after the withdrawal of the Noncooperation movement.

Introduction

• The period from 1922 to 1929 holds significant importance for several reasons. It marked the conclusion of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the commencement of another notable movement. During this time, India's struggle for liberation witnessed the emergence of fresh trends and forms of political action. The period introduced the concept of council participation and constructive works as dual objectives for the nation. It also brought forth new leaders who possessed distinct perspectives. Additionally, this period presented India with new challenges, tensions, dilemmas, and constraints in its quest for independence. In this unit, you will be introduced to all these aspects of the period spanning 1922 to 1929.

Background

• During Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, the Indian National Congress became a significant nationalist platform encompassing diverse opinions united in their anti-imperialist sentiments. Gandhi's first Civil Disobedience movement (1920-22) garnered support from various social classes. The formal adoption of Swaraj (self-rule) as the Congress's goal transformed the Non-Cooperation movement into a mass movement. Gandhi's compelling slogan, "Swaraj in one year," motivated the masses to take action. However, the suspension of the Non-Cooperation movement in February 1922 led to widespread disappointment and a visible split in the Congress leadership.
• The British government exploited the situation and employed repressive measures. They utilized Bengal Regulation III of 1816 and introduced an ordinance allowing for summary arrest and trial before special commissioners. British Prime Minister Lloyd George praised the efficiency of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in his "steel frame" speech, aligning with a shift in policy that undermined the principles of self-government and bolstered autocratic British rule.
• Disillusionment set in, causing many to question the effectiveness of Gandhi's nonviolent methods. Was it possible to train millions of people in the philosophy of nonviolence? And even if feasible, how long would it take? Gandhi's imprisonment left the country without a definite political program. The artificial unity between Hindus and Muslims began to crumble, and tensions between the two communities escalated, diverting national energies. The Congress's constructive work, a socio-economic program aimed at improving conditions, failed to attract the support of the upper-middle-class intellectuals who had reservations about Gandhi's emotional and metaphysical approach to politics. They sought to rescue Congress and its politics from the demoralization that followed the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation movement.

SWARA J PARTY: FORMATION

• During this period, C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru emerged as leaders who provided a new direction. The Civil Disobedience Enquiry Committee's report stated that the country was not yet ready for mass civil disobedience, and the constructive program had limited support. In response, Das and Nehru proposed a different approach: instead of boycotting the legislatures, they suggested participating in them to undermine the reforms from within. This idea of Council-Entry gained traction among some Congress members but faced strong opposition from orthodox Gandhians such as Rajagopalachari, Rajendra, and Vallabhbhai Patel.
• The Congress split into two factions. The No-Changers, or orthodox Gandhians, opposed the Council-Entry program and advocated following Gandhi's constructive program. On the other hand, the Pro-Changers or Swarajists believed in combining the constructive program with a political program of council entry. The conflict came to a head in December 1922 at the Gaya Session of the Congress, where Rajagopalachari led the opposition against Council Entry, leading C.R. Das to resign from the presidency of the Congress. After being outvoted, C.R. Das announced the formation of the Swaraj Party on December 31, 1922, with himself as the President and Motilal Nehru as the Secretary.
• However, the victory of the No-Changers at the Gaya Congress was short-lived. The Hindu-Muslim riots of 1923 created a tense political atmosphere, and it became evident that a nationwide civil disobedience movement could not be resumed. At the special Congress session held in Delhi in September 1923, under the presidency of Maulana Azad, congressmen were allowed to contest the upcoming elections. The annual session at Cocanada supported the idea of Council-Entry, stating that Non-Cooperation could also be practised within the councils. The Congress called upon all its members to redouble their efforts in implementing Gandhi's constructive program, thereby averting a further split in the party.