Indian History and World History (Part-34)

In September 1923, the special session of the Congress was presided over by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He was the youngest person to be elected as the Congress President at the age 35. This special session was held in Delhi

The song was accorded the status of a national song at the Congress Working Committee meeting in December 1905 and became the title song of the Bang Bhang movement.

Key Points:

• 1938 – Haripura Session:
  Bose emphasized industrialization and planning; set up the National Planning Committee.

• 1939 – Tripuri Session:
  Re-elected but faced opposition from Gandhi and the Congress Working Committee.
  He resigned later and formed the Forward Bloc.

Key Facts:

• Founded by: A.O. Hume (a retired British civil servant)

• First session: Held in Bombay (now Mumbai), presided over by Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee

• Purpose (initially): To obtain a greater share in government for educated Indians and create a platform for civil and political dialogue with the British Raj.

• Role in freedom movement: The INC played a major role in the Indian freedom struggle, leading major movements like:

  • Non-Cooperation Movement

  • Civil Disobedience Movement

  • Quit India Movement3

• the first president of the Muslim League was Aga Khan.
• Its annual session was held in Karachi in the year 1907 and in Amritsar in the year 1908.
• Founders: Nawab Salimullah Khan, Aga Khan III, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, and others

• the first president of the Muslim League was Aga Khan.
• Its annual session was held in Karachi in the year 1907 and in Amritsar in the year 1908.
• Founders: Nawab Salimullah Khan, Aga Khan III, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, and others

Jinnah presided over this session.

Key Features of the Pakistan Resolution:

1. Separate Nation Demand:
   The resolution demanded separate states for Muslims in the north-western and eastern zones of India, where they were in the majority.

2. Independent States:
   It didn’t use the word “Pakistan” but called for “independent states” for Muslims — this idea later became Pakistan.

3. Protection of Muslim Identity:
   It emphasized that Muslims were a separate nation with their own religion, culture, and traditions, and therefore should have autonomy and sovereignty.

4. Rejection of Congress Rule:
   It was a response to the Congress's claim of representing all Indians; the League asserted that only the Muslim League could speak for Indian Muslims.

5. Laid the Foundation for Partition:
   This resolution marked the beginning of the formal demand for a separate Muslim homeland, leading to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

The law was passed in the Imperial Legislative Council, despite strong opposition from Indian members.

Rowlatt Act is also called Law without Lawyer, Law without Appeal, Law without Argument, or Black Law.

Main Provisions:

1. Detention Without Trial:
   Allowed the government to arrest and detain any person without a trial for up to 2 years.

2. No Appeal or Evidence:
   The accused had no right to know charges, no right to legal representation, and no appeal in court.

3. Press Restrictions:
   Imposed strict censorship on the press and curtailed freedom of expression.

4. Speedy Trials:
   Trials were to be held in special courts without juries.

This act was called 'law without a lawyer, Law without appeal, law without argument, or black law. The Rowlatt Act was passed during the tenure of Lord Chelmsford.

In Indian politics, Satyagraha was started by Gandhi in the year 1919 against the Rowlatt Act.