Home Rule Movement
The period after the split in the Congress in 1907 reflects a kind of passivity period for the Indian freedom struggle. Although the revolutionary movement gained momentum during this period and kept the torch of the national movement lit, it had a limited effect and the general public could not directly engage with it. Further, during the First World War, the government repression almost brought an end to the revolutionary movement.At such a time, the 'Self-Government Movement' or 'Home Rule Movement' acted as a life blood for the Indian national movement.In 1914, Tilak came back after serving a six-year sentence. Now he had taken a compromising position towards the moderates and he had also become cooperative towards the British rule. On the other hand, in 1914, Annie Besant tried to expand the scope of her activities.
Decision was taken and also in India on the lines of Home Rule League of Ireland Planned to launch a self-government movement.Further, by 1916, the background of almost understanding of both the moderate and extremist factions of the Congress had become. This was very necessary to start any movement at the national level.Further Tilak, seeing the appropriate time, announced the formation of 'Home Rule League' in Belgaum in April 1916. In September 1916, Annie Besant also announced the formation of a separate Home Rule League.Tilak and Besant also divided the workspaces for their respective logs. Tilak came under the responsibility of the people of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Central Provinces and Berar while the rest of the country came under the responsibility of Annie Besant. Gradually the Home Rule movement started gaining momentum and its impact was visible in urban areas, towns and rural areas. This movement was very effective in the cities of Bombay, Uttar Pradesh and rural areas of Gujarat.The main goal of the Home Rule Movement was to launch a large-scale movement for the demand for Home Rule. For this it was very important to start political education and political debate. For this, the establishment of libraries giving political debates to the supporters and giving information about national politics, organizing classes to give political education to the students, distributing pamphlets, collecting donations, doing social work,organizing political meetings, arguments in support of Home Rule. Presenting it, the task of making people its partner etc. was entrusted. By the end of 1916, the Home Rule movement had reached its zenith. The government became extremely concerned on seeing the progress of the Home Rule movement and decided to suppress the movement. Students were banned from participating in political meetings by the Sadras government and in June 1917, Annie Besant, George Adele and V.P. Wadia were arrested. There were nation wide protests against this and the movement became more widespread.Seeing the impact of the movement, the government adopted a compromise form. In the Matague Declaration, the government made the establishment of British structures and responsible government in India asits goal, but no time limit was set for this. Annie Besant was released in September 1917. Thus it seemed that the Home Rule Movement was about to achieve its goal. But by 1918, due to various reasons, the Home Rule movement weakened and in 1917, despite the huge success, this movement became dead. The moderates who had joined the movement, fueled by the arrest of Annie Besant, became in active after their release. From the Montague Declaration. It felt like there was no need for movement anymore. This announcement created a rift in the nationalist camp. Some people were in favor of accepting it as it is, while somewere in favor of rejecting it completely. At the same time, some people believed that there are many short comings in this announcement. But it should be tried. Then there were many short comings at the level of leadership as well. Annie Besant's curmudgeonly attitude, Tilak's going abroad etc. made the movement leaderless and it ended.
Although the Home Rule movement did not last long and disintegrated without realizing its goal, it cannot be denied that it also made some important long-term achievements. The Montagu Declaration and the so-called self-government system of 1919based on it was influenced by the Home Rule Movement. The importance of this movement also lies in its far-reaching effects on the national movement. This created a nationwide stir on an issue for the first time.Then the importance of the Home Rule Movement is also in the fact that it effectively exposed for the first time the importance of local committees for any pan-India movement from an organisational point of view.Apart from this, the biggest achievement of the Home Rule Movement was that it prepared militant warriors for the future national movement. Further, in the Gandhian phase of the national movement, the same belligerent warriors moved ahead with the torch of freedom.
