Q. The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the

• attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress
• attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress
• Non-Cooperation Movement was launched
• decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken

Answer: (b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress

Lahore Session, 1929:

• The Indian National Congress, on 19 December 1929, passed the historic ‘Purna Swaraj’ – (total independence) resolution – at its Lahore session.
• A public declaration was made on 26 January 1930 – a day which the Congress Party urged Indians to celebrate as ‘Independence Day’.
• The declaration was passed due to the breakdown of negotiations between leaders of the freedom movement and the British over the question of dominion status for India.
• Lahore Congress Session 1929:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru was chosen as the President due to following reasons:
    • Because of the timing (Congress’ acceptance of complete independence as its goal), and to recognize the surge of youth that had made the anti-Simon campaign a huge success.
  • The following major decisions were taken at the Lahore session:
    • The Round Table Conference was to be boycotted
    • Complete independence was declared as the aim of the Congress
    • Congress Working Committee was authorised to launch a programme of civil disobedience including non-payment of taxes and all members of legislatures were asked to resign their seats
    • January 26, 1930 was fixed as the first Independence (Swarajya) Day, to be celebrated everywhere
  • At midnight on New Year’s Eve, President Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolour flag of India upon the banks of the Ravi in Lahore.