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Overview: The Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress (1931)

  • Date: March 26-31, 1931
  • President: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

1. Significance of the Karachi Session

  • It was the first session where the Indian National Congress passed resolutions on:
    • Fundamental Rights
    • National Economic Programme
  • It was the first time the Congress officially mentioned the term ‘Complete Independence’.
  • Subhash Chandra Bose regarded this session as the “pinnacle of Mahatma Gandhi’s popularity and prestige.”

2. Key Resolutions Passed

  • Ratification of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact: The session officially approved the pact signed earlier that month.
  • Resolution on Fundamental Rights & Economic Programme: This landmark resolution was drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru in collaboration with M.N. Roy.

3. Contextual Events

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (Direct Context)

  • Date Signed: March 5, 1931
  • Parties: Mahatma Gandhi (representing the Indian National Congress) and Lord Irwin (the Viceroy of India).
  • Purpose: The Congress authorized Gandhi to negotiate with the Viceroy, which led to this pact. Its ratification was a primary agenda item for the Karachi Session.

Execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev (Immediate Context)

  • Date: March 23, 1931
  • Event: The three revolutionaries were hanged in the Lahore conspiracy case.
  • Impact on Session: The execution occurred just three days before the session began, casting a significant shadow over the proceedings. Gandhi faced strong opposition and was forced to defend the Gandhi-Irwin Pact amidst public anger over the executions.

4. Subsequent Events in the Chronological Sequence

  • Second Round Table Conference (1931)
    • Date: Began on September 7, 1931.
    • Congress Representation: Mahatma Gandhi attended as the sole official representative.
    • Outcome: The conference was a complete failure.
  • Poona Pact (1932)
    • Date: September 24, 1932.
    • Note: This event is part of the broader historical timeline but is not directly related to the Karachi Session or the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

Chronological Timeline of Key Events (1931-1932)

Date Event
March 5, 1931 Signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
March 23, 1931 Execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.
March 26-31, 1931 Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress.
September 7, 1931 Start of the Second Round Table Conference.
September 24, 1932 Signing of the Poona Pact.

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