Analyze the rise and growth of Left-wing politics within and outside the Congress. Discuss the role of the Congress Socialist Party (CSP).

The emergence of Left-wing politics in the 1920s and 1930s was a landmark development in the Indian National Movement. Influenced by the Russian Revolution (1917) and the economic distress caused by World War I, it sought to give the freedom struggle a socio-economic dimension. This movement grew both outside the Congress (through Communist groups) and within the Congress (through Socialists), shifting the national goal from mere political Swaraj to economic emancipation.

1. Growth Outside the Congress

  • Communist Party of India (CPI): Formed in Tashkent (1920) and later in Kanpur (1925), the CPI focused on organizing the proletariat. They viewed British rule as a tool of global capitalism.
  • Workers and Peasants Parties (WPPs): These were legal fronts created to spread Marxist ideas among the masses. They were instrumental in the massive strike waves of the late 1920s.
  • Radical Youth: Organizations like the Naujawan Bharat Sabha under Bhagat Singh moved toward a clear Socialist Republican vision, inspiring the youth to fight for a classless society.

2. Growth Within the Congress: The Role of CSP

The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was formed in 1934 within the parent organization by leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev, and Minu Masani. Its role was pivotal:

  • Ideological Transformation: The CSP acted as a pressure group to prevent the Congress from moving too far toward the right. They successfully influenced the Lucknow (1936) and Faizpur (1937) sessions to adopt pro-peasant programs.
  • Radicalizing the Leadership: They provided a platform for younger leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose, who, although not formal members, shared their Leftist sympathies.
  • Mass Mobilization: CSP leaders worked tirelessly in Kisan Sabhas and Trade Unions, ensuring that the Congress maintained a strong bond with the working classes.

3. Left-wing Politics in Odisha

Odisha was a fertile ground for Leftist ideology:

  • Utkal Congress Socialist Party (1934): Led by Nabakrushna Choudhury, Bhagabati Charan Panigrahi, and Malati Choudhury. They were the pioneers of the socialist movement in Odisha.
  • Literature and Awareness: Journals like Adhunika (founded by the Nabayuga Sahitya Sansad) played a crucial role in spreading socialist consciousness among Odia intellectuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rise of the Left ensured that the Indian freedom struggle did not remain a movement of the middle-class elite. The CSP, by working within the Congress, successfully "socialized" the nationalist agenda. This ideological shift was ultimately reflected in the Karachi Resolution and the Directive Principles of our Constitution, ensuring that an independent India would prioritize social justice and the welfare of the common man.