Swaraj Party Formation

The Swaraj Party was a significant political organisation formed in 1923 by prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress who sought a new strategy for achieving India’s self-government (Swaraj). Emerging in the aftermath of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), it represented a crucial phase in India’s freedom struggle by advocating active participation in legislative councils to resist British colonial policies from within. The party’s establishment marked a major ideological shift and internal debate within the nationalist movement.

Background: The Political Context

The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, mobilised millions of Indians through non-violent resistance, boycott of British institutions, and promotion of swadeshi (self-reliance). However, following the Chauri Chaura incident (February 1922)—in which a violent clash led to the death of policemen—Gandhi abruptly suspended the movement, fearing a slide into violence.
This decision created widespread disillusionment among many Congress members, particularly leaders who believed that the momentum of the national movement had been wasted. They argued that complete withdrawal from legislative politics had left a political vacuum that benefitted the colonial government.
As a result, a new faction within the Congress emerged, advocating entry into the legislative councils established under the Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms) to obstruct and expose British rule from within.

Formation of the Swaraj Party

The Swaraj Party was founded on 1 January 1923 in Allahabad (then part of United Provinces, now Uttar Pradesh).
Founders:

• Motilal Nehru – a prominent lawyer and moderate nationalist.
• Chittaranjan Das (C.R. Das) – an influential leader from Bengal and former Congress president.

Other leading figures included Vithalbhai Patel, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, N. C. Kelkar, Srinivasa Iyengar, S. Satyamurti, and Subhas Chandra Bose (a close associate of C.R. Das).
C.R. Das became the party’s President, and Motilal Nehru served as the Secretary.
The Swaraj Party was formally established as a Congress affiliate, not as a rival organisation. Its members were known as the “Pro-Changers”, as they wanted to modify the Congress strategy to include council participation, while those who opposed it were called the “No-Changers”, who adhered strictly to Gandhi’s policy of non-cooperation and constructive work.

Objectives of the Swaraj Party

The principal goal of the Swaraj Party was to achieve Swaraj (self-rule) within the British Empire through constitutional and democratic means. Its specific objectives were:

1. Entry into Legislative Councils: To contest elections to the central and provincial legislatures under the 1919 Act.
2. Obstruction from Within: To use the councils as platforms to oppose and obstruct colonial policies, thus making the councils unworkable and exposing the hollowness of British reforms.
3. Protection of Indian Interests: To safeguard Indian rights and resist exploitative economic and administrative measures.
4. Political Education: To raise public awareness and build political consciousness through debates, speeches, and organised opposition inside legislatures.
5. Attainment of Self-Government: To use constitutional struggle as a means toward achieving Swaraj.

Ideological Division within the Congress

The formation of the Swaraj Party reflected an ideological division within the Indian National Congress after 1922.

1. The Pro-Changers:
   • Led by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru.
   • Favoured participation in councils to use constitutional means for achieving political ends.
   • Believed that active obstruction within the councils would highlight the unjust nature of British rule.
2. The No-Changers:
   • Led by Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel, and C. Rajagopalachari.
   • Opposed council participation, focusing instead on constructive work—spinning, khadi promotion, Hindu–Muslim unity, and village upliftment.
   • Believed that participation in councils would weaken the moral authority of non-cooperation.

To maintain unity, the Gaya Session of the Congress (1922) witnessed intense debate between these factions. When the Congress refused to endorse council entry, the Pro-Changers formed the Swaraj Party.

Activities and Achievements

The Swaraj Party contested elections to the Central Legislative Assembly and Provincial Councils in 1923, achieving remarkable success.

• Out of 101 elected seats in the Central Legislative Assembly, the Swarajists won 42 seats.
• They secured majorities in Bengal, Central Provinces, and Bombay provincial councils.

Key Achievements:

1. Legislative Obstruction:
   • Swarajist members used the councils to oppose unjust bills and budgets.
   • They successfully defeated or delayed government proposals, such as attempts to restrict civil liberties and increase taxes.
2. Exposure of British Rule:
   • Their parliamentary speeches and debates exposed the exploitative nature of colonial administration, gaining public attention and support.
3. Promotion of Indian Unity:
   • The party created a common platform for moderates and extremists within the nationalist movement.
4. Formation of Alliances:
   • The Swarajists cooperated with other groups such as the Muslim League and Independent Party on issues of mutual concern.
5. Leadership in Councils:
   • Vithalbhai Patel became the first Indian elected President of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925, a symbolic achievement for Indian self-assertion.

Decline of the Swaraj Party

Despite early successes, the Swaraj Party’s influence declined after the mid-1920s due to several factors:

1. Death of Key Leaders:
   • The untimely death of C.R. Das in 1925 weakened the party’s leadership and morale.
2. Internal Divisions:
   • Disagreements arose between members who wanted continued cooperation with the Congress and those seeking independent status.
3. Limited Legislative Power:
   • The British-controlled councils had restricted authority, and the government could override decisions through veto powers.
4. Gandhi’s Return:
   • With Gandhi’s release from prison and renewed influence in the Congress, focus shifted back to constructive programmes and mass movements.
5. Reintegration with the Congress:
   • By 1927, most Swarajists had rejoined the Congress mainstream, especially during the Simon Commission boycott (1928) and the adoption of the Nehru Report (1928).

The party effectively merged back into the Congress framework by the early 1930s, though its ideas and leaders continued to shape the national movement.

Historical Significance

The Swaraj Party played a crucial role in redefining nationalist strategy and broadening the scope of the freedom struggle.

• Political Maturity: Demonstrated that Indians could use constitutional and parliamentary methods effectively to challenge colonial power.
• Legislative Experience: Provided national leaders with experience in governance, administration, and public policy.
• Bridging Extremes: Helped unite moderates and radicals within the Congress through shared opposition to British rule.
• Precursor to Future Politics: Paved the way for later political cooperation strategies, such as the Congress ministries under the Government of India Act (1935).
• Strengthening of National Consciousness: Kept the spirit of nationalism alive during a period of political inactivity after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.