The Political Future of India

by Lala Lajpat Rai

“But the transfer of charges which we propose, although it will give reality to the debates on Indian affairs, will not ensure in Parliament a better informed or a more sustained interest in India. We feel that this result can only be accomplished by appointing a Select Committee of Parliament on Indian affairs.”

The above in substance is the proposed scheme. In India it has met with varied response. The European community does not approve of it. They think it is too radical. The European Services have struck a note of rebellion threatening to resign in case of its acceptance by Parliament. The Indian politicians are divided into two camps. Their views are best represented by the following tabular statement which we reproduce from the Indian newspapers.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE RESOLUTIONS RELATING
TO THE REFORM PROPOSALS PASSED

Ordinary Rights of Citizens

By the Special Congress	By the Moderate Conference
Resolution IV. The Governmentof India shall have undivided administrative authorityon matters directly concerning peace, tranquillity and defenceof the country subject to the following: That the Statute to be passed by Parliament should includethe Declaration of the Rights of the people of India as Britishcitizens: (a) That all Indian subjects of his Majesty and all the subjects naturalized or residentin India are equal before the law, and there shall be no penal nor administrative law in forcein the country whether substantive or procedural of a discriminative nature. (b) That no Indian subject of his Majesty shall be liable to suffer in liberty, life, propertyor of association, free speech or in respect of writing, except under sentence by an ordinaryCourt of Justice, and as a result of a lawful and open trial. (c) That every Indian subject shall be entitled to beararms, subject to the purchase of a licence, as in Great Britain,and that the right shall not be taken away save by a sentenceof an ordinary Court of Justice. (d) That the Press shall be free, and that no licence norsecurity shall be demanded on the registration of a press or a newspaper. (e) That corporal punishment shall not be inflicted on any Indian serving in his Majesty’sArmy or Navy save under conditions applying equally to all other British subjects.	(V) This Conference urgesthat legislation of an exceptional character having the effect of curtailing ordinary rights suchas the freedom of the press and public meetings and open judicial trial, should not be carriedthrough the Council of Statealone, or in spite of the declaredopinion of the Legislative Assemblyof India, except in atime of war or internal disturbance,without the approval ofthe Select Committee of theHouse of Commons proposed tobe set up under the Schemeunless such legislation is of atemporary character and limitedto a period of one year only,the said legislation being in anycase made renewable withoutsuch approval in the last resort.
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	(c) All racial inequalities in respect of trial by jury, the rules made under the Arms Act,etc. should be removed and the latter should be so amended asto provide for the possession and carrying of arms by Indiansunder liberal conditions. (d) A complete separation of judicial and executive functions of all district officersshould be made, at least in allmajor provinces, at once, and the judiciary placed under the jurisdiction of the highest courtof the province.

Fiscal Autonomy

Resolution V. This Congress is strongly of opinion that essential for the welfare of the Indian people that the Indian Legislature should have the same measure of fiscal autonomy which the self-governing dominions of the Empire possess.

(VI) Saving such equal and equitable Imperial obligations as may be agreed upon as resting on all parts of the Empire, the Government of India, acting under the control of the Legislature, should enjoy the same power of regulating the fiscal policy of India as the Governments of the self-governing dominions enjoy of regulating their fiscal policy.

Reform Proposals

Resolution VI. That this Congress appreciates the earnestattempt on the part of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State and his Excellency the Viceroy toinaugurate a system of responsible government in India, and, while it recognizes that some ofthe proposals constitute an advance on the present conditions in some directions, it is ofopinion that the proposals are as a whole disappointing and unsatisfactory, and suggests thefollowing modifications as absolutely necessary to constitute a substantial step towards responsiblegovernment:

(III) ‘This Conference cordiallywelcomes the ReformProposals of the Secretary ofState and the Viceroy of Indiaas constituting a distinct advanceon present conditions as regardsthe Government of India andthe Provincial Governments andalso a real step towards theprogressive realization of “responsiblegovernment” in theProvincial Government in duefulfillment of the terms of theannouncement of August 20,1917. As such this Conferenceaccords its hearty support tothose proposals, and, while suggestingnecessary modificationsand improvements therein, expressesits grateful appreciationof the earnest effort of Mr. Montagu and Lord Chelmsfordto start the country on a career of genuine and lasting progresstowards the promised goal.’

(V) ‘This Conference regardsall attempts at the condemnation or rejection of the ReformScheme as a whole as ill advised, and in particular protests emphaticallyagainst the reactionary attitude assumed towards it by the Indo-British Associationand some European public bodies in this country which is certain to produce, if successfully persisted—in,an extremely undesirable state of feeling between England and India and imperilthe cause of ordered progress in this country. This Conference, therefore, most earnestly urgeshis Majesty’s Government and Parliament of the United Kingdom to give effect to the provisionsof the Scheme and the suggestion of its supporters in regard thereto as early as possibleby suitable legislation.’

Government of India