Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Approach

• Introduction:
  • The landscape of movements following the 1920s witnessed a divergence in ideological strands. In the subsequent sections, this article will delve into the emergence of new ideologies and their widespread influence.
• Body:
  • In this section, we will examine the rise of various ideological movements, including the growing influence of Marxist ideology, as well as the emergence of organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Communist Party of India (CPI). Moreover, we will explore the active participation of diverse segments of society, including the labor class, peasantry, women, and backward classes, highlighting their crucial roles in expanding the social base of these movements.
• Conclusion:
  • To conclude, we will contrast the earlier social base with the evolving ideological stance of the Indian National Congress, providing insights into the shifting dynamics of the Indian socio-political landscape.

Introduction

The 1920s marked a significant turning point in the history of the Indian National Movement. The pivotal events and transformations that unfolded during this decade were instrumental in altering the trajectory of the freedom struggle.

Body

Ideological influences on the freedom struggle:

• Gandhian Ideology: Mahatma Gandhi introduced novel methods of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Non-cooperation, pioneering the Non-Cooperation Movement in the early 1920s, which marked the first nationwide movement of its kind.
• Communist Influence: In the late 1920s and 1930s, a potent left-wing faction emerged in India, aligning the struggle for independence with the pursuit of social and economic emancipation for marginalized groups. The establishment of organizations like the Communist Party of India (1925), All India Trade Union Congress (1920), and Workers’ and Peasants’ Parties (1927) bolstered the spread of communist ideology among workers and peasants across the nation.
• Communalist Tensions: Post-1922, communal tensions escalated, leading to recurrent outbreaks of communal violence. Pre-existing communal organizations were revived, and new ones were established. The Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha advanced their respective vested interests, contributing to the growing divide.
• Revolutionary Activism: Frustrated by the failure of peaceful means, the youth began to mobilize through covert organizations like the Hindustan Republic Association (1923) and the Hindustan Socialist Republic Association (1928). Figures such as Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Bhagat Singh actively participated in anti-colonial activities, inspiring and galvanizing the youth.

Enlarging the social foundation:

• Under Gandhiji’s leadership, the national movement evolved into a mass movement, drawing people from all walks of life into the fold of protests. Peasants, as seen in the Eka movement, and tribals, exemplified by figures like Alluri Sitaram Raju, vigorously challenged the authority of British rule, sparking a new era of activism.
• This awakening led to the empowerment of marginalized social classes, as evidenced by movements such as the Vaikom Satyagraha in Kerala (1924) and the Adi-dharma movement in Punjab (1926), which reflected the aspirations of the oppressed and Dalit communities.
• Furthermore, women transcended the confines of domesticity, with freedom fighters like Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Sucheta Kripalani, and Aruna Asaf Ali actively participating and leaving an indelible mark on the trajectory of the national movement.

Conclusion

In the past, the freedom struggle had a limited social base, primarily comprising the middle class and the elite. However, in the 1920s, there was a notable broadening of this social base, as individuals from all strata of society began associating themselves with the movement, engaging with it through diverse ideological perspectives. The active involvement of the masses infused the struggle with greater dynamism and inclusivity.

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