CHAPTER: 23
THE OPPRESSED MEET AT BRUSSELS
Nehru represented the Indian National Congress at the 1927 Congress of Oppressed Nationalities in Brussels. This Congress sought solidarity among nations oppressed by imperialism, fostering collaboration with leftist labor movements. Prominent figures, including George Lansbury and Einstein, were involved, though tensions arose over Communist influences. Nehru reflects on the challenges of balancing ideologies within the League Against Imperialism, which formed at the Congress. Despite disagreements, the experience deepened his understanding of global anti-imperialist struggles and introduced him to Soviet developments, which intrigued but did not fully convince his constitutionally minded father. The chapter underscores Nehru's evolving political perspective amid international activism.
CHAPTER: 24
RETURN TO INDIA AND PLUNGE BACK INTO POLITICS
Nehru's return to India marked a renewed engagement with politics, driven by an expanded worldview and an evolving vision of freedom. While still committed to political independence, he now recognized the need for social and economic reforms, advocating for a socialist framework. His resolutions at the Madras Congress, including one on complete independence, received widespread support, though their true implications were not fully grasped. Nehru also sought to influence labor movements and connect with rural India, but political obligations pulled him back into Congress leadership. The chapter highlights several pivotal events in India’s freedom struggle during 1928. The period was marked by significant shifts in India’s political landscape, with a growing labor movement and rising tensions between moderates and radicals. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the Bardoli Satyagraha, a significant peasant uprising against increased revenue demands, symbolizing hope for the Indian peasantry. Across India, there was a rise in youth movements, reflecting growing revolutionary fervor. Simon Commission was shown black flags everywhere, and the All-Parties Conference was convened, producing the Nehru Report despite communal tensions. The narrative turns somber with the brutal assault on Lala Lajpat Rai during a peaceful protest, leading to his death and fueling national outrage. This event catalyzed Bhagat Singh's rise as a revolutionary symbol, embodying the nation’s defiance against colonial oppression.
0 COMMENTS:
Post a Comment