The landscape of Left movements in India has primarily been dominated by two main streams: Communism and the Congress Socialist Party (CSP). These streams, while originating from a shared set of values and objectives, eventually took distinct paths in their approach to achieving a socialist society. Communist ideologies in India took root in the early 20th century, inspired by international developments such as the Russian Revolution. The formation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1925 marked the official beginning of the organised communist movement in India. Over the years, the CPI would undergo multiple transformations and splits, leading to the creation of various offshoots, including the CPI(M).
Congress Socialist Party (CSP)
On May 17, 1934, at Patna, with Acharya Narendra Dev as president and Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) as general secretary, the Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was founded within the Congress. The CSP advocated decentralized socialism in which cooperatives, trade unions, independent farmers, and local authorities would hold a substantial share of the economic power. So It was against the boycott of British goods, evasion of taxes, and the dictatorship of the proletariat.
As secularists, they hoped to transcend communal divisions through class solidarity. Many people, like Narendra Deva and Basawon Singh (Sinha), favoured a democratic socialism that was separate from both reformist social democracy and Marxism. It is against separate electorates for minorities and oppressed classes.
The Journey of the Communist Party: Five Distinct Phases
The evolution of the Communist Party in India can be categorized into five distinct phases, each characterized by its own set of challenges and responses to the political circumstances of the time.
- First Phase: The Period of ‘Threat Conspiracy Trials’
- In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the CPI faced severe repression under the British Raj, which viewed the communist ideology as a threat to its rule.
- The Meerut Conspiracy Case of 1929 was a notable event where several leaders of the CPI were arrested and tried for sedition.
- This period was marked by the CPI’s efforts to consolidate its organization while surviving the onslaught of colonial crackdowns.
- Second Phase: The Period of Political Wilderness
- Post the Meerut trial, the Communist Party struggled to find its place in the broader freedom movement.
- It was a period where the Party’s activities were relatively subdued due to internal conflicts and external pressures, including scrutiny from the colonial government.
- During this phase, the CPI sought to expand its base amidst heavy surveillance and restrictions.
- Third Phase: Communists and the Anti-Imperialist United Front Plan
- CPI’s Alignment with Anti-Imperialist Forces: The mid-1930s saw the CPI attempting to align with the broader anti-imperialist forces within the Indian political landscape.
- Formation of a United Front: The idea was to form a united front with other progressive and nationalist movements to combat colonial rule.
- Collaboration with Congress: This period highlighted the strategic shift in the CPI towards a more collaborative approach with other parties, including Congress.
- Fourth Phase: The Second World War and the Communist Somersault
- The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 brought about significant changes in CPI’s stance. Initially, the Party opposed the war as an imperialist conflict.
- However, following the Soviet Union’s entry into the war in 1941, the CPI changed its position to support the Allied forces, which led to criticism from various quarters for the apparent volte-face.
- This phase was a complex period, with the CPI grappling with ideological alignment and political pragmatism.
- Fifth Phase: The Transfer of Power Negotiations and Communists’ Multi-National Plan
- The final years of British colonial rule in India saw the CPI participating in the transfer of power negotiations.
- During this phase, the Party attempted to position itself as a significant force in the impending independent Indian polity.
- The CPI advocated for a multi-national plan, which emphasized the right of self-determination for all communities, aiming to address the diverse ethnic and cultural fabric of India.
These five phases encapsulate the tumultuous journey of the Communist Party in India, reflecting its resilience and adaptability in the face of changing political dynamics. The trajectory of the CPI is a testament to the Left’s enduring influence on India’s political development, despite the myriad challenges and transformations it has undergone.
The Congress Socialist Party (CSP)
Formation and Philosophy: The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was formed in 1934 as a socialist caucus within the Indian National Congress. Its founders, such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, were deeply influenced by various strands of socialist thought and were committed to the idea of achieving independence through a socialist framework.
- Role in the Freedom Struggle: The CSP played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle, providing a platform for those within the Congress who advocated for a more radical and socialist approach to both national liberation and post-independence social reconstruction. It sought to direct the national movement not only against British rule but also against the semi-feudal economic structures prevalent in the country.
- Jawahar Lal Nehru and S. C. Bose supported CSP from the outside, yet, CSP could not gain much headway.
- Gradually, within Congress there emerged two camps on account of growing socialist influence. Congress was divided into Leftist and Rightist leadership.
- CSP members pressured local Congress executives to implement radical measures such as the removal of middlemen, cancellation of debts of peasants owed to the landlords, and regulation of land tax.
- CSP rejected the Cabinet Mission Plan and boycotted the Constituent Assembly.
- Post-Independence Transition: After India’s independence, the CSP faced the challenge of redefining its role in a free India. Many of its members continued to push for socialist policies within the Congress Party.
- However, with the Congress itself moving towards a socialist-leaning agenda under Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership, the need for a separate socialist group within the party diminished.
- This led to the dissolution of the CSP, with many of its members either remaining in Congress, joining other leftist groups, or forming new socialist parties.
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Conclusion
The Left movements in India, encompassing the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Congress Socialist Party (CSP), played pivotal roles in shaping India’s political landscape. While the CPI navigated through phases of repression, strategic shifts, and internal transformations, the CSP sought to infuse socialist ideals into the broader freedom struggle and post-independence governance. Despite their divergent paths and eventual integration into larger political frameworks, both movements significantly influenced India’s journey towards independence and its subsequent socio-economic policies.
