Congress Sessions and Constitutional Demands

The evolution of constitutional demands made by the Indian National Congress (INC) through its various annual and special sessions traces the transition of the Indian national movement from moderate constitutional reforms to total independence. Founded in 1885, the Congress served as the primary deliberative platform where nationalist leaders articulated demands for administrative representation, civil liberties, legislative expansion, and self-governance. Over six decades, these resolutions evolved from seeking minor council expansions to drafting independent constitutional frameworks, shaping the structural foundations of the Constitution of India.

Evolution of Constitutional Demands Across Key Sessions

The constitutional strategy of the Congress developed through distinct phases, marked by specific sessions where major political declarations and constitutional schemes were adopted.

Early Reforms and Council Expansion (1885–1905)

In its formative years, the Moderate leadership focused on expanding Indian representation in legislative bodies and securing civil rights through constitutional means.

• 1885 Bombay Session: Presided over by W.C. Bonnerjee, the inaugural session demanded the expansion of the Supreme and Provincial Legislative Councils, the abolition of the Council of the Secretary of State for India, and the creation of a Royal Commission to inquire into Indian administration.
• 1889 Bombay Session: Presided over by William Wedderburn, the Congress demanded direct elections for legislative councils and voted in favor of sending a deputation to Britain to lobby for constitutional reforms, directly influencing the passage of the Indian Councils Act 1892.
• 1895 Poona Session: Presided over by Surendranath Banerjea, the Congress criticized the inadequacies of the Indian Councils Act 1892, demanding real control over financial budgets and the power to move amendments on legislative matters.

Swaraj and Constitutional Self-Government (1906–1919)

The Partition of Bengal in 1905 shifted the Congress focus toward self-rule, leading to explicit demands for autonomous political status.

• 1906 Calcutta Session: Presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji, the Congress officially declared ‘Swaraj’ (Self-Government) as its primary goal for the first time, defining it on the lines of self-governing British colonies like Canada and Australia.
• 1916 Lucknow Session: Presided over by Ambica Charan Mazumdar, the Congress signed the Lucknow Pact with the All India Muslim League. Both parties jointly submitted the Lucknow Pact Scheme to the British government, demanding that four-fifths of the members of central and provincial legislatures be elected directly, and that executive councils contain at least 50% Indian members elected by the legislatures.
• 1918 Delhi Special Session: Presided over by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the session reviewed the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, declaring the proposed reforms disappointing and demanding full provincial autonomy immediately.

Mass Agitation and the Blueprint for Independence (1920–1935)

With the entry of Mahatma Gandhi and the adoption of extra-constitutional methods, the Congress demanded complete constitutional sovereignty.

• 1920 Nagpur Session: Presided over by C. Vijayaraghavachariar, the Congress amended its official constitution, changing its objective from attaining self-government within the empire through constitutional means to attaining Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means.
• 1927 Madras Session: Presided over by Dr. M.A. Ansari, the session passed a resolution declaring Complete Independence as the goal of the Indian people. It authorized the Congress Working Committee to draft an all-parties constitution, leading to the appointment of the Motilal Nehru Committee in 1928.
• 1929 Lahore Session: Presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress passed the historic Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution, abandoning the demand for Dominion Status and authorizing the launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• 1931 Karachi Session: Presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Congress passed the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme, drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru. This resolution outlined the constitutional rights of citizens, including universal adult franchise, free primary education, religious neutrality of the state, and protection of labor rights.

Rejection of Colonial Acts and Constituent Assembly Demand (1936–1946)

During the final phase before independence, the Congress rejected British-imposed constitutional frameworks and demanded a sovereign body elected by the Indian people to draft the national constitution.

• 1936 Faizpur Session: Presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, the session officially rejected the Government of India Act 1935, describing it as a charter of bondage. It reiterated the demand for a Constituent Assembly elected on the basis of universal adult franchise.
• 1938 Haripura Session: Presided over by Subhas Chandra Bose, the Congress declared that a free India could only accept a constitution framed by a Constituent Assembly without external interference.
• 1946 Meerut Session: Presided over by Acharya J.B. Kripalani, the final pre-independence session formally ratified the decision of the Congress to participate in the Constituent Assembly formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Comparative Mapping of Major Constitutional Resolutions

Facts for Quick Revision

• First Constitutional Demand: The 1885 Bombay session formally asked for expanding central and provincial legislative councils.
• First Mention of Swaraj: Dadabhai Naoroji used the word ‘Swaraj’ from the INC presidential platform at the 1906 Calcutta Session.
• Lucknow Pact (1916): Formulated a joint constitutional scheme between the INC and the All India Muslim League, accepting separate electorates for Muslims.
• Nehru Report Authorization: The 1927 Madras Session authorized the drafting of a constitution, resulting in the 1928 Nehru Report headed by Motilal Nehru.
• Purna Swaraj Declaration: Midnight of December 31, 1929, at the Lahore Session on the banks of the Ravi River.
• First Independence Day: January 26, 1930 was celebrated as ‘Purna Swaraj Day’ across India following the Lahore resolution.
• Blueprint for Fundamental Rights: Passed at the 1931 Karachi Session under Sardar Patel; drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Constituent Assembly Demand: Formally adopted at the 1936 Faizpur Session as the sole acceptable mechanism for drafting India’s constitution.
• Pre-Independence Final Session: 1946 Meerut Session under J.B. Kripalani, which endorsed joining the Constituent Assembly.