MAINS EXAM PRACTICE QUES-64
Ques- Lahore session of Congress was a landmark in Indian National Movement. Do you agree with the statement?
Answer: During the Lahore Session of Congress, the goal of Purna Swaraj was adopted and the Dominion Status was no longer acceptable. It also markers the arrival of left forces on the center stage of the Indian National Movement.
Dominion Status: Due to her immense contributions in terms of men and materials, India was rightly anticipating a dominion status along the lines of colonies like Australia and New Zealand. However, the Montague Chelmsford reforms promised a responsible government in very uncertain terms, and that too, at an undefined point in the future.
Non-Cooperation Movement: With the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Punjab wrongs, Khilafat movement, and Rowlett act, the non-cooperation was waged on the question of Swaraj, which implied the Dominion Status at most. Complete independence was out of the question at this point.
Simon Commission and Rising Left-wing: The boycott Simon Commission movement once again galvanized the national mood. However, up to this point, the left-wing within and without Congress was getting stronger. Leaders like Nehru and Bose were touring the entire country to address youth and student conferences where radical ideas were being suggested to achieve the goals of complete independence and social justice.
Under the influence of such popular militancy and the intransigency of colonial government, the Lahore Session of Congress adopted the goal of Purna Swaraj. From this point onwards, the question of Dominion Status was dead as a doornail. Whenever Congress fought, it fought for complete independence.
Thus, at the end of the Lahore session, on 26th January 1930, a public declaration of the goal of Purna Swaraj was made. Due to the significance of this day i.e. 26th January, it was accepted as the Republic Day of independent India.