Formation of Swaraj Party (1923)

1. Which among the following was the primary aim of the Swarajya Party ?

Which among the following was the primary aim of the Swarajya Party ?

To cooperate with the government in implementing the reforms of 1919
To gain experience of the functioning of representative government
To wreck the scheme of the reform of 1919 by a policy of uniform, continuous and consistent obstruction
To exhibit displeasure over the failure of non-cooperation movement
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UPSC CAPF – 2010
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The Swarajya Party was formed by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru in 1923 following disagreements within the Congress over the strategy after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. While the ‘No-Changers’ bloc advocated for continuing the boycott of legislative councils, the Swarajists (or ‘Pro-Changers’) believed in entering the councils to use them as a platform to challenge the government and obstruct the working of the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms from within. Their primary aim was not cooperation or mere participation, but a policy of consistent obstruction to demonstrate the futility of the reforms and pressure the government for further concessions.
The Swarajists contested elections and achieved significant success in some provinces. Inside the councils, they attempted to move resolutions, vote down government proposals, and expose the flaws of the 1919 Act, fulfilling their aim of obstruction.
The formation of the Swarajya Party represented a split within the Congress, though temporary. While their council entry policy was debated, it did provide a platform for nationalist leaders to engage in political debate and keep the pressure on the colonial administration during a period when mass movements were suspended.

2. Which one among the following groups was known as ‘no-changers’ opposi

Which one among the following groups was known as ‘no-changers’ opposing Congress Party’s entry into Legislative Council following the withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement?

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. M.A. Ansari
C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru and S.C. Mitra
Anil Baran Roy, Subhash Bose and S. Satyamurti
Srinivas Iyenghar and B.S. Munje
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2020
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The correct answer is A) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. M.A. Ansari. This group was known as the ‘No-changers’.
– Following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922, a significant debate arose within the Indian National Congress regarding the future course of action.
– Two main factions emerged: the ‘Pro-changers’ (Swarajists) led by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, who advocated for entry into the legislative councils to obstruct government functioning from within; and the ‘No-changers’, who opposed council entry and emphasized constructive work among the masses outside the councils (like promoting Khadi, Hindu-Muslim unity, anti-untouchability campaigns, etc.).
– Prominent ‘No-changers’ included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari, and M.A. Ansari.
Option B lists prominent ‘Pro-changers’ or Swarajists. Options C and D include individuals who were active in the national movement but were not the primary leaders of the ‘No-changer’ faction; Subhash Bose, for instance, had a different political trajectory later.

3. Who among the following was the first to accept a ministerial position

Who among the following was the first to accept a ministerial position in the Central Provinces in October 1925?

B. S. Moonje
M. R. Jayakar
S. B. Tambe
B. N. Sasmal
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The first prominent Swarajist leader to accept a ministerial position in the Central Provinces was S. B. Tambe. In October 1925, he accepted the position of an Executive Councillor, which was seen as a departure from the Swarajist strategy of obstructing the government from within the councils without taking office.
S. B. Tambe’s acceptance of an Executive Council position led to significant debate within the Swaraj Party and the Congress, particularly criticizing the leadership of C. R. Das (though Das had passed away earlier in 1925) and Motilal Nehru on the strategy of council entry and obstruction.
Other Swarajist leaders like M. R. Jayakar and N. C. Kelkar later resigned from the Bombay Legislative Council over similar issues, further highlighting the divisions within the party regarding cooperation with the government under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.

4. Who among the following did not belong to the group of

Who among the following did not belong to the group of ‘No-Changers’?

M.A. Ansari
Vithalbhai Patel
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
Kasturi Ranga Iyengar
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UPSC CDS-1 – 2022
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Vithalbhai Patel belonged to the group of ‘Pro-Changers’, also known as the Swarajists, while M.A. Ansari, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, and Kasturi Ranga Iyengar belonged to the ‘No-Changers’.
– Following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Indian National Congress split into two factions: ‘Pro-Changers’ and ‘No-Changers’.
– Pro-Changers, led by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, advocated for entering the legislative councils to obstruct the government from within. Vithalbhai Patel was a prominent leader and later President of the Central Legislative Assembly from the Swaraj Party.
– No-Changers, led by Mahatma Gandhi (though he initially withdrew from active politics), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, C. Rajagopalachari, Rajendra Prasad, M.A. Ansari, Kasturi Ranga Iyengar, and others, advocated for continuing Gandhi’s constructive program of spinning, removal of untouchability, Hindu-Muslim unity, and village upliftment outside the councils.
– The ‘No-Changers’ focused on strengthening the Congress organization from the grass-roots level and preparing for the next phase of mass struggle.
– The ‘Pro-Changers’ formed the Swaraj Party in 1923 to contest the elections to the legislative councils.
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