History, Art & CultureImportant2025-06-16

Centenary of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das's Death

Why focus: NCERT Class 12 Modern India — CR Das and Swaraj Party 100-year death anniversary makes this a near-guaranteed Prelims History target.

In News

What Happened

On June 16, 2025, India observed the centenary of the passing of Chittaranjan Das, affectionately known as 'Deshbandhu' (Friend of the Nation). A prominent lawyer, politician, and poet, Das played a pivotal role in the Indian freedom struggle before his untimely death in 1925. He is best remembered for founding the Swaraj Party alongside Motilal Nehru and successfully defending Aurobindo Ghosh in the 1908 Alipore Bomb Case.

Why It Matters

Remembering C.R. Das highlights his pragmatic approach to the freedom struggle, particularly his advocacy for council entry to disrupt British legislation from within. His efforts in forging the 1923 Bengal Pact also stand as a landmark attempt to foster Hindu-Muslim political unity in pre-independence India.

Background

History & Context

Following the abrupt withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 due to the Chauri Chaura incident, the Indian National Congress split into two factions. The 'Pro-changers,' led by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, advocated entering legislative councils to wreck the British administration from within, while 'No-changers' preferred constructive work. Overruled at the Gaya session in 1922, Das resigned as Congress President and formed the Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party (Swaraj Party) in 1923.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Following the Non-Cooperation Movement's halt, the mainstream Congress pursued a strict boycott of legislative councils in favor of grassroots constructive work. NOW: The Swaraj Party, led by C.R. Das, successfully contested elections to enter the councils and systematically obstruct British colonial policies from within.
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BEFORE: Political representation and government jobs in early 1920s Bengal were heavily skewed, leading to severe communal friction between Hindus and Muslims. NOW: C.R. Das negotiated the Bengal Pact of 1923, promising Muslims representation proportional to their population in the Bengal Legislative Council, which temporarily eased communal tensions and forged a united political front.
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BEFORE: Aurobindo Ghosh faced severe penalties, including potential execution, for his alleged role in the 1908 Alipore Bomb Conspiracy Case. NOW: C.R. Das's masterful and unpaid legal defense secured Aurobindo's complete acquittal, cementing Das's reputation as a premier legal defender of Indian revolutionaries.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects directly to Class 12 History Part III, Chapter 11: 'Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement'. It illustrates the ideological split (Pro-changers vs. No-changers) within the Congress following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement, showing how leaders like C.R. Das adapted political strategies to sustain nationalist momentum.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements regarding Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das is/are correct? 1. He presided over the 1922 Gaya session of the Indian National Congress, after which he resigned to form the Swaraj Party. 2. He brokered the Bengal Pact in 1923 to ensure proportional political representation for Muslims in Bengal.

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