The Left Movement in India emerged as a significant ideological and political force during the early 20th century, inspired by global socialist trends and dissatisfaction with existing nationalist strategies. It was crucial in addressing issues like workers’ rights, agrarian reforms, and anti-imperialism, shaping the broader freedom struggle. This article aims to study in detail the rise of the Left movement in India, its phases, and its impactful role in the Indian National Movement.
About Left Movement
- The terms “The Left” and “The Right” have long been used to define ideological and political positions.
- Their origin dates back to the French Revolution of 1789, where supporters of the revolution sat on the left side of the Estates-General and conservatives on the right.
- With the Industrial Revolution and the rise of socialism and communism, these terms gained broader connotations.
Causes of Growth of Left Movement
The growth of leftist ideology in India during the late 1920s and 1930s stemmed from various factors, including global influences and internal socio-economic conditions. The key causes include:
- Russian Revolution (1917): The Bolshevik Revolution in Soviet Russia, led by Lenin, overthrew the Czarist regime and established the first socialist state.
- By renouncing imperialist rights in Asia, it inspired global anti-imperialist movements.
- The revolution demonstrated the power of a united front of workers, peasants, and the intelligentsia, inspiring Indian leaders to adopt socialist principles.
- Dissatisfaction with Gandhian Policies and Swarajist Program: Disillusionment followed Gandhi’s withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the limited impact of the Swaraj Party’s parliamentary politics.
- Revolutionary groups and leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose, began embracing socialism as a tool for resisting imperialism, capitalism, and landlordism.
- Rise of Trade Unions: The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed in 1920 and led by figures like Lala Lajpat Rai and Dewan Chaman Lal.
- Worker strikes at South Indian Railways, Tata Iron and Steel Works, and Bombay textile mills amplified the leftist momentum.
- Great Depression (1929): The economic slump worsened conditions for peasants and workers in India.
- The unaffected Soviet Union demonstrated the advantages of socialist policies, further popularising socialism in India.
Phases of Left Movement
The Left movement in India evolved over several phases:
- Nascent Stage (1917–1925): This stage was inspired by the Russian Revolution; figures like S.A. Dange (Gandhi and Lenin), Muzaffar Ahmed (Navayug), and M. Singaravelu (Labour-Kisan Gazette) laid the foundation of the Left movement in India.
- In 1920, M.N. Roy and six others formed the first Indian Communist Party in Tashkent.
- Kanpur Conspiracy Case (1924): The British arrested leaders like Muzaffar Ahmed and S.A. Dange for spreading communist ideas.
- Despite the government’s suppression, the trial popularised communism and socialism in India.
- Formation of Communist Party of India (1925): The CPI was formally established, with an early focus on mobilising workers and peasants.
- By 1928, regional leftist organisations merged into the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP), strengthening the movement nationally.
- Influence on Revolutionary Groups (1928): The Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) evolved into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), led by Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh, advocating socialism as a revolutionary ideology.
- Trade Union Strikes (1928): The Bombay textile strike and others involving over 500,000 workers highlighted the left’s growing influence in labour struggles.
Key Leftist Organizations
- Communist Party of India (CPI): Established in 1925, the CPI demanded land reforms, industrial nationalisation, adult suffrage, and social equality.
- The All India Kisan Sabha (1936) ‘s peasant front led significant anti-feudal movements.
- Congress Socialist Party (CSP): This party was formed in 1934 by leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Acharya Narendra Dev. The CSP sought to integrate socialist ideals into Congress.
- The CSP played a crucial role in the Quit India Movement and supported underground resistance during World War II.
- Cultural Fronts: The Progressive Writers’ Association (1936) and the Indian People’s Theatre Association (1943) propagated socialist ideas through literature, plays, and folk arts.
Major Confrontations with Colonial Rule
- Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929–33): The British arrested 33 trade union activists, including British communists, accusing them of conspiring against the government.
- National leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru supported the accused, and Gandhi visited the prisoners, lending legitimacy to the movement.
- Telangana Rebellion (1946): The CPI-led armed uprising against the Nizam of Hyderabad was a significant anti-feudal and anti-colonial struggle.
Role in Indian Freedom Struggle
- The Left brought critical issues like land reforms, workers’ rights, and social justice into the national discourse.
- Leaders like Nehru and Bose popularised socialist ideals, while organisations like the CSP and CPI contributed significantly to the anti-imperialist struggle.
Conclusion
Despite internal divisions and colonial suppression, the Left movement played a transformative role in India’s freedom struggle. It emphasised the interconnection between political independence and socio-economic justice, leaving an enduring legacy in India’s political and social landscape.
GS - 1
