Indian National Movement (Part-III)

Madam Cama is most recognized for her historic act of raising the "Flag of Indian Independence" on August 22, 1907, at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany.

Inspired by the earlier Calcutta Flag, the tricolour design included green, yellow, and red fields symbolizing Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, respectively.
By raising this flag on international soil, Madam Cama boldly conveyed India's desire for self-rule, drawing global attention to its struggle against British colonial rule.
Beyond her role as a flag bearer, in 1905, Cama co-founded the Paris Indian Society with Munchershah Burjorji Godrej and S.R. Rana.
This organization aimed to support Indian revolutionaries in exile and disseminate revolutionary literature, including the banned poem "Vande Mataram."
Bhikaji Cama published the newspaper Bande Mataram, advocating for Indian independence and inspiring unity.
She also founded the nationalist magazine Madan's Talwar, later known as The Talvar, in Berlin, in memory of the executed revolutionary Madan Lal Dhingra.

The Indian National Congress had a complicated and ultimately negative view of the Wavell Plan. Their main objections and stand were:
  • Claim to Represent all Indians: The Congress, as a national party, believed it represented people from all communities, not just Hindus. They strongly objected to the plan's proposal of "parity," which gave equal representation to "caste Hindus" and Muslims. Congress felt this was a deliberate attempt to reduce its status to a party of only Hindus and was against the very idea of a united India.
  • Right to Nominate Members: The Congress insisted on its right to nominate Muslim members to the Executive Council from its own ranks. They argued that since they had Muslim members, including their president at the time, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, they should be able to nominate them. This directly clashed with the Muslim League's demand to be the sole representative of Muslims.
  • No Guarantee of Independence: While the plan offered a significant step towards self-governance by including Indians in the Executive Council, it did not explicitly promise independence. The new government would still operate under the existing 1935 Act, and the Viceroy would retain veto power. This lack of a clear timeline for full freedom was a major concern for the Congress.
  • Objection to "Caste Hindu" Term: Even Mahatma Gandhi objected to the term "caste Hindus" used in the plan, as he felt it was an attempt to divide the Indian population on a caste basis.

Champaran Satyagraha was a significant movement in 1917 led by Mahatma Gandhi to address the exploitation of indigo farmers in Bihar. The farmers in Champaran were oppressed under the 'tinkathia' system, forcing them to grow indigo on part of their land. With worsening conditions and economic distress, Gandhi was invited by Rajkumar Shukla to investigate their plight.

Gandhi Facing Opposition: Upon arriving, Gandhi faced opposition from the British authorities but persisted in his efforts to bring attention to the issue.
Champaran Agrarian Act: His leadership led to the formation of an enquiry committee, which ultimately resulted in the Champaran Agrarian Act of 1918. This act abolished the 'tinkathia' system and provided relief to the farmers, marking the success of Gandhi’s first Satyagraha in India.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on May 9, 1866, in Kotluk village, Ratnagiri, into a Chitpavan Brahmin family that prioritized his education despite financial struggles. He studied at Rajaram College in Kolhapur and graduated from Elphinstone College in 1884, mentored by philosopher Chakrappan.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was greatly influenced by Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, who regarded him as a "Manas Putra" or protégé son.
His education fostered a deep admiration for Western political thinkers like John Stuart Mill and Edmund Burke.
After completing his studies, Gopal Krishna Gokhale became a professor at Fergusson College in Pune, teaching political economy and history..

The Shimla Conference was called in July 1945 to discuss the Wavell Plan. Leaders from the Congress, the Muslim League, and other political groups were invited. Among the notable figures present at the meeting were Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the All India Muslim League, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the president of the Indian National Congress.
The fundamental reason for the failure of the Shimla Conference was the irreconcilable disagreement between the Muslim League and the Congress. Jinnah’s insistence on the Muslim League being the sole representative of Muslims clashed with Congress’s broader claim to represent all Indians. Despite Wavell’s efforts to mediate, the conference ended without an agreement, further entrenching the political divide. This failure marked a significant step toward the eventual Partition of India, as the Muslim League became more determined in its pursuit of a separate Muslim state.