Swarajist Activity in the Councils and the No-Changers’ Constructive Work
Modern History › Swarajists, New Forces and Revolutionaries in the 1920s · Topic 18.2
The Swarajists outvoted the government several times in the councils, elected Vithalbhai Patel Speaker in 1925 and defeated the Public Safety Bill in 1928, but their position weakened through communal riots, splits and C.R. Das's death in 1925. The No-Changers did constructive work through ashrams, national schools, khadi and social reform, which later served as the backbone of civil disobedience.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Swarajists, New Forces and Revolutionaries in the 1920s
At a Glance
- Swarajist wins Outvoted the government; Vithalbhai Patel Speaker 1925; Public Safety Bill defeated 1928
- Decline Communal riots, splits, Das died 1925; withdrawal March 1926
- No-Changer work Ashrams, charkha, national schools, unity, flood relief
- Walk-out 1930, after the Lahore purna swaraj resolution
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Swarajists, New Forces and Revolutionaries in the 1920s
Where Does It Fit?
This is the second topic of the category on the Swarajists, new forces and revolutionaries in the 1920s. The previous topic covered the split over council entry. This topic covers what the two groups did and how each fared. The next topic covers socialist ideas, youth activism and trade unionism. Previous topic: Swarajists and No-Changers.
What Did the Swarajists Achieve in the Councils?
With coalition partners the Swarajists outvoted the government several times, even on budgetary grants, and passed adjournment motions. They spoke powerfully on self-government, civil liberties and industrialisation.
| Achievement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Outvoting the government | Several times, with coalition partners, including on budgetary grants |
| Speeches | On self-government, civil liberties and industrialisation |
| Speaker | Vithalbhai Patel was elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925 |
| Public Safety Bill | Defeated in 1928; it aimed to deport undesirable and subversive foreigners, as the government was alarmed by socialist and communist ideas and Comintern-sent activists |
| Political vacuum | Filled it while the national movement recouped its strength |
| Montford scheme | Exposed its hollowness |
| Creative use | Showed that the councils could be used creatively |
What Were the Swarajists’ Drawbacks?
- They lacked a policy to coordinate their militancy inside the legislatures with the mass struggle outside and relied on newspaper reports to reach the public.
- An obstructionist strategy had its limits.
- They could not go far with coalition partners because of conflicting ideas.
- They failed to resist the perks and privileges of power and office.
- They did not support the peasants’ cause in Bengal and lost support among pro-peasant Muslim members.
Why Did the Swarajist Position Weaken?
The Swarajist position weakened because of widespread communal riots and a split among the Swarajists on communal and Responsivist versus Non-responsivist lines. The government strategy of dividing the more militant from the moderate and Hindus from Muslims was successful. The Swarajists lost many Muslim supporters when the party did not back the tenants against zamindars in Bengal, where most tenants were Muslims. Communal interests also entered the party, and the death of C.R. Das in 1925 weakened it further.
The Responsivists among the Swarajists, Lala Lajpat Rai, Madan Mohan Malaviya and N.C. Kelkar, advocated cooperation with the government and holding office wherever possible, and also wanted to protect so-called Hindu interests. Communal elements accused leaders such as Motilal Nehru, who did not favour joining the council, of being anti-Hindu, while Muslim communalists called the Swarajists anti-Muslim.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 1926 | The main Swarajist leadership reiterated faith in mass civil disobedience and withdrew from the legislatures |
| 1926 elections | Another section contested as a party in disarray; won 40 seats at the Centre and some in Madras, but was routed in the United Provinces, Central Provinces and Punjab |
| 1930 | The Swarajists walked out after the Lahore Congress resolution on purna swaraj and the start of Civil Disobedience |
What Was the Constructive Work of the No-Changers?
The No-Changers devoted themselves to constructive work that connected them to different sections of the masses.
| Area | Work |
|---|---|
| Ashrams | Young men and women worked among tribals and lower castes, especially in Kheda and Bardoli in Gujarat, and popularised the charkha and khadi |
| National education | National schools and colleges trained students in a non-colonial ideological framework |
| Social work | Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability, boycott of foreign cloth and liquor, and flood relief |
| Civil disobedience | Constructive workers became the backbone of civil disobedience as active organisers |
What Were the Critiques of Constructive Work?
National education benefited only the urban lower middle classes and rich peasants, and enthusiasm for it surfaced only in the excitement of the movement. When the movement was passive, the lure of degrees and jobs took students back to official institutions. Khadi was hard to popularise because it was costlier than imported cloth. And the campaign against untouchability stressed the social side but not the economic grievances of landless and agricultural labourers, who were mostly untouchables.
Although the Swarajists and No-Changers worked in separate ways, they kept on the best of terms and could unite whenever the time was ripe for a new struggle. As an analytical point, the two groups were complementary: the councils offered a public platform while the constructive workers built a base in villages, and each strength covered the other’s weakness. The debate that produced the two groups is in Swarajists and No-Changers, and the peasant side of the 1920s is in Peasant Agitations and Caste Movements in the 1920s.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Assessment of Swarajists Achievements and failures are a standard Mains question
- Vithalbhai Patel and the Public Safety Bill Stock Prelims facts
- Constructive work Links to Gandhian methods and the later civil disobedience
What Came Next?
The next topic describes new forces of the 1920s: Marxist ideas, youth activism and trade unionism. Next topic: Spread of Socialist and Marxist Ideas, Youth Activism and Trade Unionism.
Key People and Terms
- Responsivists Swarajists who favoured cooperation with the government: Lajpat Rai, Malaviya and Kelkar
- Vithalbhai Patel Elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925
- Public Safety Bill A bill to deport subversive foreigners, defeated in 1928
- Charkha The spinning wheel promoted by constructive workers
- National education Schools and colleges outside the government system
- Constructive work Social and economic work outside the councils
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Vithalbhai Patel Speaker in 1925; Public Safety Bill defeated 1928.
- C.R. Das died in 1925.
- Swarajists withdrew from legislatures in March 1926; walked out in 1930.
- Responsivists: Lajpat Rai, Malaviya, Kelkar.
- No-Changers worked in Kheda and Bardoli ashrams.
Do Not Confuse With
- Responsivists and Non-responsivists Cooperation with government versus continued obstruction
- Swarajist 1926 withdrawal and 1930 walk-out The main leadership left in 1926; the party finally walked out in 1930
- Constructive work and boycott Constructive work built institutions; boycott withdrew from existing ones
Memory Hook
Councils for the Swarajists, charkhas for the No-Changers, and each covered the other.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for an assessment of the Swarajists and constructive work. These points add depth.
- Swarajist gains Platform and defeats of the government
- Swarajist limits No link with mass struggle; communal splits
- Constructive work Base among masses; narrow impact
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Evaluate the achievements and limitations of the Swarajists and the constructive work of the No-Changers.”
How to Answer
- Swarajists Achievements in the councils.
- Limits Weaknesses and decline.
- No-Changers Constructive programme and critique.
- Conclude Complementary roles.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Swarajists achieve in the councils?
With coalition partners they outvoted the government several times, even on budgets, and passed adjournment motions. Vithalbhai Patel was elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925, and the Public Safety Bill was defeated in 1928. They also exposed the hollowness of the Montford scheme.
Why did the Swarajist Party weaken?
Widespread communal riots, a split between Responsivists and Non-responsivists, government division of militants from moderates and Hindus from Muslims, loss of Muslim support when it did not back Bengal tenants, and the death of C.R. Das in 1925 weakened the party.
Who were the Responsivists?
The Responsivists were Swarajists, including Lala Lajpat Rai, Madan Mohan Malaviya and N.C. Kelkar, who advocated cooperation with the government and holding office wherever possible and who also wanted to protect what they called Hindu interests.
What was the constructive work of the No-Changers?
They set up ashrams where young people worked among tribals and lower castes in Kheda and Bardoli and promoted the charkha and khadi, ran national schools and colleges, worked for Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability and flood relief, and served as organisers in civil disobedience.
What were the weaknesses of constructive work?
National education reached mainly the urban lower middle classes and rich peasants and faded when the movement was passive. Khadi was costlier than imported cloth, and the campaign against untouchability ignored the economic grievances of landless and agricultural labourers.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Vithalbhai Patel was elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925.
The Swarajists supported his election.
2 The Public Safety Bill was defeated in 1928.
It aimed at deporting subversive foreigners.
3 C.R. Das died in 1925.
His death weakened the Swarajist Party.
4 The Responsivists opposed all cooperation with the government.
They advocated cooperation and holding office.
5 No-Changers worked among tribals and lower castes in Kheda and Bardoli.
They popularised the charkha and khadi.
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