Lucknow Session- The Lucknow Pact (December 1916), Its Significance And Impacts

Lucknow Pact 1916: Unity, Pact, and India’s Freedom Path

The Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress in 1916 witnessed significant developments that shaped the course of the Indian nationalist movement. One of the key highlights was the readmission of the Extremists into Congress, bringing together the Moderates and the Extremists under a unified banner. Additionally, the session witnessed the union of the Congress and the Muslim League, leading to the signing of the historic Lucknow Pact. This pact marked a significant milestone in Hindu-Muslim collaboration and established shared demands for self-government and increased representation. These developments had far-reaching implications for the nationalist struggle and the future trajectory of India’s independence movement.

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Tilak’s Reunion: Extremists and Moderates Unite at Lucknow

The readmission of the Extremists into the Indian National Congress was a significant development during the Lucknow session. Here are the key points regarding their reunion:

• Reunion at Lucknow: The Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress became the platform for the reunion of the Extremists, led by Tilak, with the Moderates. Ambika Charan Majumdar, a Moderate leader, presided over the session where the reunion took place.
• Overcoming Past Controversies: The reunion signaled a shift in perspective as past controversies and differences between the Moderates and Extremists were deemed meaningless. Both factions recognized the need to set aside their differences and unite for the greater cause of the independence movement.
• Recognition of Political Inactivity: The split between the Moderates and Extremists had resulted in a period of political inactivity, which was acknowledged by both groups. The realization of the collective impact of their absence from active political engagement prompted their reunion.
• Efforts by Annie Besant and Tilak: Annie Besant and Tilak played instrumental roles in bringing the two factions together. Tilak made efforts to allay suspicions among the Moderates by expressing his support for administrative reform instead of advocating for the overthrow of the government. He also condemned the violence, further facilitating the reconciliation.
• Influence of Leadership Changes: The passing of two prominent Moderate leaders, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Pherozshah Mehta, who had previously opposed the Extremists, made the reunion easier. The absence of these leaders created an opportunity for a fresh start and a more inclusive approach within Congress.

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League-Congress Unity: Young Nationalists Defy Imperialism

The union of the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress in Lucknow marked a significant development in the nationalist movement. The League, under the leadership of younger, more ardent nationalists, aligned its goals with those of Congress and adopted a more anti-imperialist stance.

The change in the League’s attitude can be attributed to various factors: Discontent to Assertive Nationalism

• Disappointments of Muslims: Muslims were disappointed by Britain’s lack of support for Turkey in its conflicts with Italy and in the Balkans. The annulment of the partition of Bengal, which had received support from some Muslim groups, further contributed to their dissatisfaction. Additionally, the refusal to establish a university at Aligarh that could affiliate colleges across India alienated certain Muslims.
• Embracing assertive nationalist politics: Younger members of the League sought to transcend the limited political outlook of the Aligarh school and embraced more assertive nationalist politics. They aimed to move away from a narrow focus on Muslim interests and align themselves with broader nationalist aspirations.
• Shared objective of self-government: The Muslim League, at its Calcutta session in 1912, committed to working with other groups for a system of self-government suitable for India, as long as it did not conflict with its objective of protecting the interests of Indian Muslims. This shared objective of self-government brought the League and Congress closer.
• Suppression of leaders: The internment of leaders like the Ali brothers, Maulana Azad, and Hasrat Mohani, as well as the suppression of Maulana Azad’s Al Hilal and Mohammad Ali’s Comrades, by the British government during the First World War, angered younger Muslims. This government repression fueled anti-imperialist sentiments among the younger members of the League, leading them to adopt a more assertive and anti-imperialist stance.

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Lucknow Pact Unity: Congress-Muslim League Collaboration for Freedom

The Lucknow Pact between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League held significant importance in the history of the nationalist struggle for freedom. The nature of the pact can be summarized as follows:

• Acceptance of Separate Electorates: The Congress accepted the Muslim League’s position on separate electorates, which meant that until either community demanded joint electorates, Muslims would have reserved seats in legislative bodies.
• Joint Constitutional Demands: The Muslim League agreed to make joint constitutional demands to the British government along with the Congress. This unity aimed to present a united front in their quest for self-government.
• Allocation of Seats for Muslims: A fixed proportion of seats in both national and provincial legislatures were allocated to Muslims, ensuring their representation and safeguarding their interests.

Shared Demands for Self-Governance: Congress-League Unity

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• Formal Declaration of Self-Government: The government should formally declare its commitment to granting Indians self-government at the earliest possible opportunity.
• More Power to Representative Assemblies: Elected representative assemblies at the national and provincial levels should have an elected majority and increased powers.
• Five-Year Term for Legislative Councils: The term of the legislative councils should be extended to five years to ensure stability and continuity in governance.
• British Treasury Funding: Salaries of the Secretary of State for India and compensation for the viceroy and provincial governors should be paid from the British Treasury rather than utilizing Indian resources.
• Representation in Executive Councils: The executive councils of the viceroy and provincial governors should include an equal number of Indian members, ensuring greater Indian representation in the highest levels of governance.

Lucknow Pact: Unity, Communal Dynamics, and Independence

The Lucknow Session held significant importance in the Indian nationalist movement. Here are the key points highlighting its significance:

• Reunion of Moderates and Extremists: The session marked the reunion of the Moderates and Extremists within the Indian National Congress after a decade-long split following the Surat Split. This unity strengthened the Congress and brought together leaders with different ideologies.
• Lucknow Pact: The signing of the Lucknow Pact between the Muslim League and the Congress was a significant outcome of the session. It facilitated Hindu-Muslim collaboration in the independence movement and set the stage for future cooperation, as seen in the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement.

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• Communal Politics Established: The agreement on separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims formalized communal politics in India. The recognition of distinct communal electorates eventually led to the partition of India in 1947, with the Muslim League demanding a separate nation for Muslims.
• Communal Veto Proposal: The Lucknow Pact proposed that any resolution could be blocked if more than 3/4 of the members of any religion opposed it. This established a communal veto in the legislative body and implicitly accepted the Muslim League’s contention of two distinct communities in India.
• Prominence of Congress and Muslim League: The Lucknow Pact elevated the Congress Party and the Muslim League to prominent positions in Indian politics. These parties gained recognition and played crucial roles in shaping the future of the independence movement.
• Influence on the Government of India Act 1919: Many recommendations from the Lucknow Pact were incorporated into the Government of India Act of 1919, a significant legislative measure introduced by the British government.
• Increased Communalism: The acceptance of separate electorates, seen as a major mistake by the Congress, led to increased communalism. It legitimized the politics of hatred and polarization promoted by the Muslim League, ultimately leading to the division of the country and communal tensions.
• Lack of Mass Involvement: The Lucknow Pact was primarily an agreement reached between political leaders and did not involve the active participation of the Hindu or Muslim masses. This limited participation had implications for the representation and inclusivity of broader public sentiment in the agreement.

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Broad Agreements Were Reached In Lucknow Pact: Electoral Reforms, Self-Governance, and Representation

The Lucknow Pact resulted in broad agreements in several key areas. Here are the details:

• Direct Elections to Legislative Councils: It was agreed that direct elections would be held to the provincial and central legislatures. A broad franchise was proposed, allowing a larger segment of the Indian population to participate in the electoral process. Four-fifths of the seats in these legislatures were to be elected through direct elections.
• Increased Power for Councils: The Lucknow Pact emphasized the need to grant more power to the legislative councils. The objective was to enhance the representative nature of these councils and ensure that they had a significant role in decision-making processes.
• Dominion Status and Self-Government: The pact called for the attainment of dominion status for India. Dominion status implied a higher degree of self-government within the British Empire. The signatories of the pact aimed to achieve self-government for India at the earliest possible opportunity.
• Increased Representation in the Viceroy’s Executive Council: The pact advocated for a greater presence of Indians in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Specifically, it was agreed that at least half of the members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council should be Indians. This was a significant departure from the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909, which proposed only one Indian member in the council.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress held immense significance in the history of the nationalist movement in India. The readmission of the Extremists into Congress and the reunion of the Moderates and Extremists fostered unity and strength within the organization. Furthermore, the union of the Congress and the Muslim League, as reflected in the Lucknow Pact, marked a crucial milestone in Hindu-Muslim collaboration and presented shared demands for self-government and increased representation. The session’s outcomes influenced the political landscape, established communal politics, and had a lasting impact on the trajectory of the independence movement. The agreements reached during the Lucknow session played a pivotal role in shaping India’s path towards freedom and influenced subsequent political developments in the country.

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