Lahore Session 1929: Purna Swaraj Declaration & Independence Struggle

Lahore Session 1929: Bold Steps to Purna Swaraj

The Lahore Session of Congress was a significant turning point in India’s freedom struggle. The declaration of complete independence as the goal of the Congress and the authorization of a program of civil disobedience was a bold step towards the realization of the dream of Purna Swaraj.

Lahore Session 1929: Resolve, Boycott, and Freedom Demand

• Showing Resolve for Independence: The hoisting of the tricolour flag of freedom by Jawaharlal Nehru on the banks of River Ravi symbolized the resolve and determination of the Indian people to achieve independence.
• Celebration of Independence Day: The celebration of January 26th as Independence Day was a way to commemorate this historic moment and to keep the spirit of the freedom struggle alive.
• The Boycott Of The Round Table Conference: It was a clear rejection of the British attempts to negotiate with the Indian leaders and a sign of the growing discontent among the Indian people with colonial rule.
• Program for Disobedience: The call for non-payment of taxes and the resignation of members of legislatures was a nonviolent means of protesting against the oppressive policies of the British government.
• Attracting Widespread Support: The ideas of peace and nonviolence espoused by Nehru and Gandhi were central to the freedom struggle and were instrumental in attracting widespread support for the cause.
• Unambiguous Demand For Independence: The Lahore session of Congress marked the beginning of a new phase in India’s freedom struggle, a phase that was characterised by mass mobilisation, nonviolent resistance, and an unambiguous demand for independence.

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Conclusion

This session was significant since the Indian National Congress,  accepted Purna Swaraj’s call for complete independence. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru took part in it by raising the Indian tricolor flag on the banks of the Ravi stream.

Previous Year Question (Prelims)

Q1. With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements: [2019]

1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labour’.
2. In Lord Chelmsford’s War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for the World War.
3. Consequent to the breaking of the Salt Law by the Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. The 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress is significant in the history of the Freedom Movement because the_________ [2014]

1. attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress.
2. Attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress.
3. A Non-Cooperation Movement was launched.
4. The decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken.

Q3. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because______________[2012]

1. Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence.
2. The rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session.
3. A resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. None of the above

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