Karachi Congress Session—1931: Context
In March 1931, the Karachi Congress Session was held to endorse the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. This session followed the execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, leading to protests by the Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha along Gandhi's route. The Congress resolutions included disapproval of political violence while admiring the martyrs, endorsement of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, and reiteration of the goal of purna swaraj. Resolutions on fundamental rights guaranteed freedoms such as speech and assembly, while the national economic program proposed reductions in rent, relief from debt, and improved labor conditions. This session marked a significant moment in defining the Congress's political and economic vision for India.
- In March 1931, a special session of the Congress was held at Karachi to endorse the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Six days before the session (March 29), Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were executed. Gandhi was greeted with black flag demonstrations throughout his route to Karachi by the Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha, protesting his failure to secure commutation of the death sentence for Bhagat and his comrades.
Congress Resolutions
- Disapproval of Political Violence: While disapproving of and dissociating itself from political violence, the Congress admired the ‘bravery’ and ‘sacrifice’ of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru.
- Endorsement of Gandhi-Irwin Pact: The Delhi Pact or Gandhi-Irwin Pact was endorsed.
- Goal of Purna Swaraj: The goal of purna swaraj was reiterated.
- Resolution on Fundamental Rights: Guaranteed—
- Free speech and free press
- Right to form associations
- Right to assemble
- Universal adult franchise
- Equal legal rights irrespective of caste, creed, and sex
- Neutrality of state in religious matters
- Free and compulsory primary education
- Protection to culture, language, script of minorities and linguistic groups
- Resolution on National Economic Programme: Included—
- Substantial reduction in rent and revenue for landholders and peasants
- Exemption from rent for uneconomic holdings
- Relief from agricultural indebtedness
- Control of usury
- Better conditions of work including a living wage, limited hours of work, and protection of women workers in the industrial sector
- Right to workers and peasants to form unions
- State ownership and control of key industries, mines, and means of transport
Significance
- This was the first time the Congress spelled out what swaraj would mean for the masses—“in order to end exploitation of masses, political freedom must include economic freedom of starving millions.” The Karachi Resolution was to remain, in essence, the basic political and economic programme of the Congress in later years.
