Indian Liberal Party
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. |
The Liberal Party of India was a political organization espousing liberal, pro-British points of view in the politics of India under the British Raj.
Contents |
[edit] Liberal point of view
The Liberals at various points backed British rule in India, and virtually never supported India's exit from the British Empire. These stances rotated around the idea that Indians must petition and conduct a dialogue with the British to obtain more self-government and political freedoms. They also espoused the British system of education and cultural influences on Indian life.
[edit] History and organization
Although initially members of the Indian National Congress which had been formed to create a mature political dialogue with the British government, liberal Indians left the Congress with the rise of Indian nationalism, and leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
The Liberal party was formed about 1910, and British intellectuals and British officials were often participating members of its committees. Its most prominent leaders were Tej Bahadur Sapru and M.R. Jayakar.
[edit] Politics
The Liberal Party opposed Mahatma Gandhi and the Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-1922), the Salt Satyagraha (1930-31), and the Quit India Movement (1942-1945).
Liberals also participated in the legislative councils and assemblies at the town, provincial and central levels. Up till the Government of India Act 1935, most Indians and the Congress Party rejected the councils and hardly voted. They were seen as rubber stamps of the viceroy, and stacked with un-elected British officials, pro-British princes and members of religious minorities represented beyond reasonable proportions. Up till 1935's legislation, only a few seats were up for popular election.
[edit] Assessment
The Liberal party was never popular with common Indians, and distrusted intensely by Indian nationalists. With the British decision to grant independence to India, the party disappeared from existence.
