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47-569: The Declaration of Purna Swaraj was a resolution which was passed in 1930 because of the dissatisfaction among the Indian masses regarding the British offer of Dominion status to India . The word Purna Swaraj was derived from Sanskrit पूर्ण (Pūrṇa)  'Complete' and स्वराज (Svarāja)  'Self-rule or Sovereignty', or Declaration of the Independence of India , it

94-413: A Round Table Conference . To facilitate Indian participation, Irwin met with Mahatma Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and out-going Congress President Motilal Nehru to discuss the meeting. Gandhi asked Irwin if the conference would proceed on the basis of dominion status and Irwin said he could not assure that, resulting in the end of the meeting. As a result of the denial of reforms and political rights, and

141-404: A bill , which is also a resolution in the technical sense. The resolution is often used to express the body's approval or disapproval of something which they cannot otherwise vote on, due to the matter being handled by another jurisdiction , or being protected by a constitution . An example would be a resolution of support for a nation's troops in battle , which carries no legal weight, but

188-436: A corporation , which usually needs to give its consent to real estate purchases or sales by the corporation. Such a resolution, when certified by the corporation's secretary , gives assurance to the other side of the transaction that the sale was properly authorized. Other examples include resolutions approving the opening of bank accounts or authorizing the issuance of shares in the corporation. In many legislative bodies,

235-563: A joint resolution . A house of a legislature can also use a resolution to exercise its specific powers, as the British House of Commons does to elect its Speaker or as the United States House of Representatives does to impeach an officer of the government . In a house of a legislature , the term non-binding resolution refers to measures that do not become laws . This is used to differentiate those measures from

282-464: A complete and explicit break from all ties with the British. Jawaharlal Nehru also persuaded Congress to vote for total independence for the country with no links with Great Britain. Now Bose and Nehru opposed dominion status, which would retain the King of Great Britain as the constitutional head of state of India (although in the separate capacity as Emperor of India ), and preserve political powers for

329-543: A constitutional consensus among themselves. This report advocated that India be given dominion status with complete internal self-government. Jinnah declared the report as "Hindu Document" and presented Fourteen Points of Jinnah in response to the Nehru Report. The Fourteen Points consisted of Muslim's minimum demands from the British Rule. By the time it was published the commission was already overshadowed by

376-601: A declaration by the Viceroy of India Lord Irwin on 31 October 1929 which reinterpreted the 1917 declaration (which had led to the Mortagu-Chelmsford reforms ) as the British government's final policy goal always being India's attainment of dominion status. He also called for a round-table conference in London regarding this. Although this remained controversial among many conservatives in London, in reality there

423-404: A prominent Indian leader, Lala Lajpat Rai , from severe beatings by British police officials further outraged the Indian public. The Congress appointed an all-Indian commission to propose constitutional reforms for India. Members of other Indian political parties joined the commission led by Congress President Motilal Nehru . The Nehru Report demanded that India be granted self-government under

470-478: Is adopted for moral support . Substantive resolutions apply to essential legal principles and rules of right, analogous to substantive law , in contrast to procedural resolutions, which deal with the methods and means by which substantive items are made and administered. Simon Commission The Indian Statutory Commission , also known as the Simon Commission , was a group of seven members of

517-808: The British Government had declared that a commission would be sent to India after ten years to examine the effects and operations of the constitutional reforms and to suggest further reforms. In November 1927, the British government appointed the Simon Commission two years ahead of schedule. The commission was strongly opposed by the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress , and prominent Indian leaders including Nehru , Gandhi , and Jinnah , because it contained only British members and no Indians. However, it

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564-535: The Secretary of State for India , to draft a constitution that would be acceptable to the Indian populace. A faction of the Muslim League , led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah , also decided to boycott the commission. In face of the opposition from the Congress, F.E Smith wanted to publicize the meetings of the commission with "representative Moslems" in order to "terrify the immense Hindu population by apprehension that

611-677: The British Empire. The Indian National Congress , the largest Indian political party of the time, was at the head of the national debate. Congress leader and famous poet Hasrat Mohani was the first activist to demand complete independence (Poorna Swaraj) from the British in 1930 from an All-India Congress Forum. Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi supported the 'Poorna Swaraj' motion demanded by Hasrat Mohani. Veteran Congress leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak , Sri Aurobindo and Bipin Chandra Pal had also advocated explicit Indian independence from

658-569: The British Parliament in Indian constitutional affairs. They were supported in their stand by a large number of rank-and-file Congressmen. In December 1929, Congress session was held in Lahore and Mahatma Gandhi proposed a resolution that called for the British to grant dominion status to India within two years. After some time Gandhi brokered a further compromise by reducing the time given from two years to one. Jawaharlal Nehru voted for

705-663: The British Parliament under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon . The commission arrived in the Indian subcontinent in 1928 to study constitutional reform in British India. One of its members was Clement Attlee , who would later become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1945 - 1951). The commission was constituted because at the time of introducing the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms in 1919,

752-515: The British governors of provinces to retain much of their emergency powers, hence in practice very little autonomy was to be given to the provinces. Most notably the commission's report did not mention dominion status at all. The commission also recommended to retain separate electorates as long as inter-communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims remained. In September 1928, ahead of the commission's release, Motilal Nehru presented his Nehru Report to counter its charges that Indians could not find

799-596: The Commission arrived at Lahore where it was met by protesters waving black flags. The protest was led by the Indian nationalist Lala Lajpat Rai , who had moved a resolution against the Commission in the Legislative Assembly of Punjab in February 1928. The protesters blocked the road in order to prevent the commission members from leaving the railway station. In order to make way for the commission,

846-727: The Commission is being got hold of by the Moslems and may present a report altogether destructive of the Hindu population." However opinion was divided, with support for co-operation coming from some members of the Muslim League and also both Hindu Mahasabha and members of the Central Sikh League . An All-India Committee for Cooperation with the Simon Commission was established by the Council of India and by selection of

893-476: The Empire.It is said that the first independence day was celebrated on 1930, by Sitaram Seksaria in his book. Following the 1919 Amritsar Massacre , there was considerable public outrage against British rule. Europeans, (civilians and officials) were targets and victims of violence across India. In 1920, Gandhi and the Congress committed themselves to Swaraj , described as political and spiritual independence. At

940-560: The Government of India Act 1919 stated that a commission would be appointed after ten years to investigate the progress of the government scheme and suggest new steps for reform. The Secretary of State for India F.E Smith feared that the ruling Conservative government was facing imminent electoral defeat at the hands of the Labour Party , and hence feared that the commission would be filled by its members and sympathizers. Hence,

987-633: The Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally and spiritually.... Therefore...India must sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or complete independence. At midnight on New Year's Eve, President Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolour flag of India upon the banks of the Ravi in Lahore, which later became part of Pakistan. A pledge of independence

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1034-577: The Labour MPs but also because he thought the Indian representatives would fight each other. Some people in India were outraged and insulted that the Simon Commission, which was to determine the future of India, did not include a single Indian member. The Indian National Congress , at its December 1927 meeting in Madras (now Chennai ), resolved to boycott the Commission and challenged Lord Birkenhead ,

1081-590: The United Kingdom. The All India Home Rule League had been advocating Home Rule for India: dominion status within the British Empire, as granted to Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State , Newfoundland , New Zealand, and South Africa. The All India Muslim League favoured dominion status as well, and opposed calls for outright Indian independence. The Indian Liberal Party , by far the most pro-British party, explicitly opposed India's independence and even dominion status if it weakened India's links with

1128-465: The Viceroy, Lord Irwin . The members of the committee were: C. Sankaran Nair (chairman), Arthur Froom , Nawab Ali Khan, Shivdev Singh Uberoi, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Hari Singh Gour , Abdullah Al-Mamun Suhrawardy , Kikabhai Premchand and Prof. M. C. Rajah . In Burma (Now known as Myanmar), which was included in the terms of reference of the Simon Commission, there was strong suspicion either that Burma's unpopular union with India would continue, or that

1175-471: The civil disobedience movement clear. The text of the declaration of Independence is credited to either Gandhi or Nehru. The Congress regularly observed 26 January as the Independence Day of India – commemorating those who campaigned for Indian independence. In 1947, the British agreed to transfer power and political finesse to India, and 15 August became the official Independence Day. However,

1222-417: The commission was appointed ahead of time, and seven MPs were selected to constitute the promised commission to examine the state of Indian constitutional affairs. He also ensured that there were no Indians in the commission, as he believed the Labour MPs and Indian members would join. The Viceroy of India Lord Irwin too supported the decision to exclude Indians as he too thought they would vote together with

1269-710: The constitution recommended for Burma by the commission would be less generous than that chosen for India; these suspicions resulted in tension and violence in Burma leading to the rebellion of Saya San . The commission found that the education was being denied to the untouchables who were ill-treated in the name of caste. The Simon Commission left England in January 1928. Almost immediately with Its arrival in Bombay on 3 February 1928, its members were confronted by throngs of protesters, although there were also some supporters among

1316-497: The crowds who saw it as the next step on the road to self-governance. A strike began and many people turned out to greet the commission with black flags on which was written 'Simon Go Back'. Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi led the demonstrations against Simon Commission in Patna . Similar protests occurred in every major Indian city that the seven British MPs visited. One protest against the Simon Commission became infamous. On 30 October 1928,

1363-661: The dominion status within the Empire. While most other Indian political parties supported the Nehru commission's work, it was opposed by the Indian Liberal Party and the All India Muslim League. The British ignored the commission, its report and refused to introduce political reform. The Nehru Report was also controversial within Congress. Younger nationalist leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru demanded that Congress resolve to make

1410-576: The first elections were held in the Provinces, resulting in Congress Governments being returned in almost all Provinces. Clement Attlee was deeply moved by his experience on the commission and endorsed the final report. However, by 1933 he argued that British rule was alien to India and was unable to make the social and economic reforms necessary for India's progress. He became the British leader most sympathetic to Indian independence (as

1457-564: The government, and the denial of political and civil freedoms. In 1927, the British government further outraged people across India by appointing a seven-man, all-European committee led by Sir John Simon, called the Simon Commission to deliberate on constitutional and political reforms for India. Indian political parties were neither consulted nor asked to involve themselves in the process. Upon arrival in India, Chairman Sir John Simon and other commission members were met with angry public demonstrations, which followed them everywhere. The death of

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1504-458: The local police led by Superintendent James Scott began beating protesters. Lala Lajpat Rai was critically injured and died on 17 November 1928 due to the head injuries he had sustained. The Commission published its 2-volume report in May 1930. The commission proposed to abolish the diarchy, an extension to autonomy of provinces by establishing representative government in provinces. However it allowed

1551-499: The move: You may take the name of independence on your lips but all your muttering will be an empty formula if there is no honour behind it. If you are not prepared to stand by your words, where will independence be? The amendment was rejected, by 1350 to 973, and the resolution was fully adopted. On 31 October 1929, the Viceroy of India , Lord Irwin announced that the government would meet with Indian representatives in London for

1598-499: The nationwide Non-Cooperation Movement . The resolution was a short 750-word document; it does not have a legal/constitutional structure – instead, it reads more like a manifesto. The document called for severing ties with the British and claimed 'Purna Swaraj' or completes independence. It indicted British rule and succinctly articulated the resulting economic, political and cultural injustice inflicted on Indians. The document spoke on behalf of Indians and made its intention of launching

1645-488: The new Constitution of India , as drafted and approved by the Constituent Assembly , was mandated to take effect on 26 January 1950, to commemorate the 1930 declaration. On that day in 1950, India became a republic. 26 January is now celebrated as Republic Day of India every year. Resolution (law) In corporations, a written resolution is especially useful in the case of the board of directors of

1692-472: The new resolution, while Subhash Bose told his supporters that he would not oppose the resolution, and abstained from voting himself. The All India Congress Committee voted 118 to 45 in its favour (the 45 votes came from supporters of a complete break from the British). However, when Bose introduced an amendment during the open session of Congress that sought a complete break with the British, Gandhi admonished

1739-435: The newspaper Bande Mataram , began writing that the new generation of nationalists would not accept anything less than Purna Swaraj, full independence, as it exists in the United Kingdom. Through his writings and speeches, along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak he popularised this idea, making it a core part of the nationalist discourse. Before 1930, Indian political parties had openly embraced the goal of political independence from

1786-537: The persistent ignorance of Indian political parties, the Indian National Congress grew increasingly cohesive – unified in the desire to out the British from India completely. A very large number of Congress volunteers and delegates, members of other political parties and an especially large public gathering attended the session convened in Lahore. Despite the bitterly cold weather, Pattabhi Sitaramayya records that: The heat of passion and excitement,

1833-511: The resentment at the failure of negotiation, the flushing of faces on hearing the war drums – oh, it was all in marked contrast to the weather. Jawaharlal Nehru was elected president and veteran leaders like Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel returned to the Congress Working Committee . They approved a declaration of independence, which stated: The British government in India has not only deprived

1880-619: The term resolution is the way a motion which has been approved is called. In the United States, resolution means a proposal made in writing, while motion means a proposal made verbally. Houses of a legislature often adopt non-binding resolutions . However, a legislature also uses resolutions to exercise one of its binding powers that isn't a lawmaking power. For example, the United States Congress declares war or proposes constitutional amendments by adopting

1927-536: The time, Gandhi described this as the basic demand of all Indians; he specifically said that the question of whether India would remain within the Empire or leave it completely would be answered by the behaviour and response of the British. Between 1920 and 1922, Mahatma Gandhi led the Non-Cooperation movement : nationwide civil disobedience to oppose the Rowlatt Acts and the exclusion of Indians from

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1974-512: Was hoisted publicly across India by Congress volunteers and the general public who aspired for self-governance and wanted to achieve independence. Dadabhai Naoroji in his presidential address at the 1886 National Congress in Calcutta advocated for Swaraj as the sole aim of the nationalist movement, but along the lines of Canada and Australia , which was colonial self-government under the British crown. In 1907, Sri Aurobindo , as editor of

2021-544: Was no change in British policy as the promise was very vague and far in the future. The outcome of the Simon Commission was the Government of India Act 1935 , which called for a "responsible" government at the provincial level in India but not at the national level—that is a government responsible to the Indian community rather than London. It is the basis of many parts of the Indian Constitution . In 1937

2068-524: Was officially promulgated on 26 January 1930. Gandhi and other Indian leaders would immediately begin the planning of a massive national non-violence would encourage the common people not to attack Britishers even if they attacked them. Subsequently, the Salt Satyagraha was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi on 12 March 1930 and what followed gave impetus to the Indian independence movement and sparked off

2115-486: Was promulgated by the Indian National Congress , resolving the Congress and Indian nationalists to fight for Purna Swaraj , or complete self-rule /total independence from the British rule . The flag of India was hoisted by Jawaharlal Nehru on 31 December 1929 on the banks of Ravi river , in Lahore . The Congress asked the people of India to observe 26 January as Independence Day (see Legacy ). The flag of India

2162-428: Was read out, which included a readiness to withhold taxes. The massive gathering of public attending the ceremony were asked if they agreed with it, and the vast majority of people were witnessed to raise their hands in approval. One hundred seventy-two Indian members of central and provincial legislatures resigned in support of the resolution and in accordance with Indian public sentiment. The Declaration of Independence

2209-499: Was supported by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar , Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and Chaudhary Chhotu Ram. Prominent Indian nationalist Lala Lajpat Rai led a protest against the commission in Lahore . He suffered a brutal police beating during the protest and died of his injuries eighteen days later on 17 November 1928. The Government of India Act 1919 had introduced the system of diarchy to govern the provinces of British India . Indian opinion clamored for revision of this form of government, and

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