Haripura Congress Session:

Introduction

• Haripura was chosen as the venue for the Indian National Congress session in 1938 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

• It is located in Gujarat and is known for its historical importance in the Indian independence movement.

Congress Divisions and Leadership

• By 1938, the Indian National Congress had divided into two factions based on philosophy.

• One group was conservative, while the other was radical.

• Jawahar Lal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose had established themselves as forthright Congress spokespersons.

• Gandhi, on the other hand, had nearly retired from active politics and dedicated himself to the upliftment of the Harijans.

Bose's Presidency and his Ideologies

• Subhas Chandra Bose was chosen as President of the Haripura Congress Session in 1938.

• Bose had the concept of strengthening the Indian people's opposition so that the British government would abandon its plan to force the federal scheme down Indians' throats.

• He was opposed to the British attempt to pull India into World War II and intended to take advantage of Britain's political volatility instead of waiting for the British to grant independence.

• Bose's ideology was different from Gandhi's nonviolent and Satyagraha measures for overthrowing the British.

Gandhi and Bose's Differences over British Rule

• It was at the Haripura session in 1938 when Gandhi and Bose's differences over their sentiments toward the United Kingdom arose.

• According to the Haripura resolution, the British were given a six-month deadline to comply or face a mutiny. Gandhi, on the other hand, could not accept this.

• Subhash did not support Gandhi's nonviolent and Satyagraha measures for overthrowing the British. As a result, there was a significant schism between Gandhi and Bose.

Bose's Election as Congress President

• Subhas Chandra Bose decided to run for president again in Congress in January 1939. Gandhi was dissatisfied with Bose's candidacy.

• Bose won the election by a margin of 1580 votes to 1377, with the full support of the Congress Socialist Party and the communists.

• Gandhi congratulated Bose on his victory, but added, "Pattabhi's defeat is my defeat." It had now devolved into a Gandhi versus Bose debate.

Aftermath of the Haripura Congress Session

• The heated atmosphere created by the constitutional crisis did not have the predicted impact on the Haripura Congress Session.

• Bose's presidency marked a turning point in the Indian National Congress's history, leading to an intensification of radical thought and action.

The Tripuri Congress Session of 1939

Introduction:

• The Tripuri Congress Session of 1939 was a significant event in Indian history that witnessed a sharp internal crisis within the Indian National Congress.

• The session was held in Tripuri, Central Provinces (near Jabalpur in present-day Madhya Pradesh) in March 1939.

• This article provides an overview of the session's key events, the ideological differences between Gandhi and Bose, and Bose's subsequent resignation.

Congress in Disarray

• The Congress was clearly in disarray, with a working committee that was nominated by the president rather than elected.

• The election of the president was a constitutional opportunity for the membership to express the nature of the Congress' leadership.

Polarisation in Ideology and Method of Future Struggle

• Subhash Bose's victory caused a clear polarisation in terms of ideology and method of future struggle.

• Bose accused the working committee leaders of being willing to reach a federation compromise with the government, causing a sharp internal crisis.

Bose's Presidential Speech

• Bose was ill at the time of the Tripuri session but delivered a presidential speech predicting an imperialist war in Europe.

• He advocated giving Britain a six-month deadline to grant the national demand for independence and launching a mass civil disobedience movement if the deadline was not met.

Gandhi's Opposition

• Gandhi opposed Bose's ultimatum, believing that neither the Congress nor the masses were prepared for a struggle.

• He was also aware of communal discord, class strife, and a lack of a unified vision, all of which would undermine any movement.

Pant's Resolution and Bose's Resignation

• Govind Ballabh Pant proposed a resolution reaffirming faith in Gandhian policies and asking Bose to nominate the working committee "in accordance with Gandhiji's wishes."

• Bose declined to form a new working committee, desiring an immediate struggle led by Gandhi, whereas Gandhi believed that the time was not right for a struggle.

• Bose eventually resigned in April 1939, with Rajendra Prasad elected President of the Congress in his place.

Nehru's Mediation and Forward Bloc

• Nehru attempted to mediate between the two parties, persuading Bose not to resign while urging Gandhiji and the older leaders to be more accommodating.

• In May, Bose and his supporters established the Forward Bloc, a new political party within the Congress.

Ideological Differences between Gandhi and Bose

• Despite their vastly different ideologies, Gandhi and Subhash Bose had a deep respect for one another.

• Bose recognised Gandhi's significance as a symbol of Indian nationalism, and Gandhi dubbed Bose the "Prince of Patriots" in 1942.

• Both men saw socialism as the way forward in India, albeit in slightly different ways.

Conclusion:

• The Tripuri Congress Session of 1939 highlighted the ideological differences between Gandhi and Bose, which eventually led to Bose's resignation. While the Congress survived yet another storm, the session's aftermath paved the way for the emergence of the Forward Bloc and further fragmentation within the Indian National Congress.