C.R. Das
Also called: Chittaranjan Das, Deshbandhu · Topic: The National Movement: Gandhian Era · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 2 "Nationalism in India"
Meaning
C.R. Das (Chittaranjan Das), called Deshbandhu ("friend of the nation"), was a Bengal lawyer and Congress leader. Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922. After that, Das wanted Congress members to fight elections and enter the provincial councils, so they could oppose the British from inside. He died in 1925.
Example
With Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das formed the Swaraj Party inside the Congress in 1923. The party argued for a return to council politics and won seats in the 1923 elections.
Don't confuse with
- "No-changers": Congress leaders such as Rajagopalachari and Patel, who wanted to keep boycotting the councils and stick to Gandhi's constructive work, such as khadi and ending untouchability. Das was a "pro-changer".
Related concepts
- Swaraj Party
- Motilal Nehru
- No-changers
- Constructive programme
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Subhas Chandra Bose
- Bardoli satyagraha 1928
- Vallabhbhai Patel
- Simon Commission
- Dominion status