KARACHI SESSION

Subject: Modern History

Context: Harsh Madder wrote in The India Forum of the significance of the word “fraternity” in our Constitution’s Preamble.

Concept:

• Scholars have long noted a few milestones in the history of India’s constitution-making. A major one was the 1931 “Fundamental Rights” resolution of the Indian National Congress.
• The Karachi session was presided by Sardar Patel. The congress adopted a resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy which represented the Party’s Social, Economic and Political programme.
• The Karachi Session of the Congress endorsed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and reiterated the goal of “PoornaSwaraj”. It passed a resolution to dissociate itself from and disapprove the political violence in any shape.
• Some of the important Karachi resolutions are ,

        Basic civil rights of freedom of speech, Freedom of Press, Freedom of assembly, Freedom of association,

1. 1. Equality before law
   2. Elections on the basis of Universal Adult Franchise
   3. Free and compulsory primary education.
   4. Substantial reduction in rent and taxes
   5. Better conditions for workers including a living wage, limited hours of work.
   6. Protection of women and peasants
   7. Government ownership or control of key industries, mines, and transport.
   8. Protection of Minorities.

• Congress made this agenda- the basis of its political programme for the next many years to come.