Lord Reading: Governor General and Viceroy of India (1921-1925)
Lord Chelmsford was succeeded by Lord Reading in 1921 as Governor-General and Viceroy of India. He was born in a humble Jew family but had risen to the ranks of Chief Justice of England with his talent and hard work. His tenure was a testing time for British. The Non-cooperation Movement had reached climax and was abruptly withdrawn in 1922. There were frequent strikes all over the country. This period saw a sudden rise in communal growth and fringe elements in both Hindu and Muslim Community. Other events included: Prince of Wales visited India (1921), Repeal of Rowlatt Act (1919), Criminal Law Amendment Act, Moplah Rebellion (1921), Simultaneous Examinations of Civil Services in London and Delhi (1923), Start of Vishwa Bharati University (1922), Foundation of Communist Party of India (1921), Formation of Swaraj Party (1923), Kakori Train robbery (1925) etc.
Moplah Rebellion, 1921
In Kerala, the Moplah rebelled against the government orders of declaring Congress and Khilafat meetings illegal. It soon turned into a communal revolt between Kudiyaan {tenant Moplahs} and Jenmis {Hindu Landlords}. The movement was suppressed with great difficulty and the government needed to raise a special battalion called Malabar Special Police.
Swaraj Party (1923), Pro-changers and No-changers
The Swaraj Party was originally launched as Congress-Khilafat Swaraj Party by congress leaders Moti Lal Nehru, CR Das, NC Kelkar, GS Gharpade, S Srinivas, who had linked up with Khilafat leaders such as Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and some other leaders such as Subhash Chandra Bose & Vithalbhai Patel out of frustration with the Gandhi’s decision to withdraw NCM. They shifted their aim to “Swaraj” within the British Raj and decided to contest elections, enter into the legislatures and bring “change”. These elections had to be conducted as per the provisions of the Government of India Act 1919. These leaders were called Pro-changers. On the other hand, most of Congress leaders left the business of agitation for a while; and started uplifting the poor people by teaching them how to use Charkha, denouncing untouchability, making nonviolence and Gandhian methods popular. These were called No-changers. C Rajagopalachari was prominent No-changer.
The Swaraj party was able to win some seats in assembly but could not bring many changes. However, it was due to their efforts that the Government agreed to appoint a committee under Sir Alexander Muddiman (Muddiman Committee), along with 4 Indian members, to go into the provisions of the Government of India Act 1919 and pinpoint the defects. The members of this committee included Sir Sivaswami Aiyar; Dr. R P Paranjape; Sir Tejbahadur Sapru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Return of Swaraj Party to Congress
In 1924, Gandhi was released from Jail due to health problems. He favored the No changers, but wanted conciliation between pro and no-changers. On his efforts, the Swaraj Party and Congress signed a joint statement which declared that Swaraj members would work in the council, on behalf of and as members of Congress. This decision was endorsed in December 1924 Belgaum Session; the only session of Indian National Congress presided by Gandhi.
Rise of Communal Politics
The abrupt withdrawal of NCM also resulted in divorce of Congress and Khilafat leaders. Fringe communal elements had grown in both Hindu and Muslim sides. Hindu-Muslim riots started more frequently than earlier. There was growth of tabligh and Tanzims in Muslims, while Arya Samajis started Shuddi Sangathans. In 1926, murder of Swami Shraddhanad in Delhi was one such incident which proved that communalism is now a permanent feature of Indian politics. In the 1923 Kakinada Session, the president Maulana Mohammad Ali quit congress citing communal reasons.
Suddhi Movement
The Suddhi movement was initiated by Dayananda with the intentions to unify India and in it; Non-Hindus and untouchables were converted to Hinduism. So, the movement led to some political implications, and indirectly led to growth of communalism.
In 1923, Hindu Mahasabha was revived by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya for protection and promotion of the Hindu Civilization. In 1925, Keshav Bahram Hedgewar founded the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Nagpur. Dr. Hedgewar had been a part of the Anushilan Samiti and Yugantar and was a nationalist by heart. He became a member of Indian National Congress initially but left it soon and established RSS. The idea was to train the Hindu youths so that they united the Hindu Community and make India an Independent undivided country. He was much influenced by V D Savarkar and adopted his ideals.
Peshawar Conspiracy, 1923
Peshawar Conspiracy case is related to the Muslims taking interest in the Communist revolution of Russia. Many Muslims from Peshawar went to Moscow and started getting training related to Military and Communist regimes. When they returned to create disturbances, the Government caught them on the way and trialled them. Many of them were sentenced to long imprisonment.
Kakori Train Conspiracy, 1925
Kakori Train Conspiracy was a work of members of Hindustan Republican Association (HRA). They wanted to carry out a political dacoity to secure money from Government. The loot was done successfully but the plot was soon unearthed. Some 30 people were arrested and trial led to execution of Swaran Singh (uncle of Bhagat Singh), Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri and Roshan Singh.
Rest all were put in jails for long time, virtually bringing an end to HRA.
Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case 1924
Some newly turned communists named M N Roy, Muzaffar Ahamed, S A Dange, Shaukat Usmani, Nalini Gupta, Singaravelu Chettiar, Ghulam Hussain were caught by the Government and were trailed for conspiring against the Government. The case was much hyped in newspapers and introduced communism to Indian public. MN Roy was charged in absentia, so he was not arrested. Ghulam Hussain turned a British informer and was pardoned. Rest all people were arrested and sent to jail for 4 years.
