UPSC Prelims 2015 Q26: Modern History – Revolutionary & Communist Movements
With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements:
1. It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes.
2. It wanted to establish the dictatorship of proletariat.
3. It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) None
Answer: (d) None
Explanation
Congress Socialist Party (CSP)
Formed in 1934 as a group within the Congress.
Founders: Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev and Minoo Masani.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes | Incorrect | These were methods of earlier Congress movements, not the CSP's programme |
| 2. It wanted to establish the dictatorship of proletariat | Incorrect | That was the Communist goal; the CSP wanted democratic socialism |
| 3. It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes | Incorrect | It opposed separate electorates |
What the CSP stood for:
| Aim | Detail |
|---|---|
| Within Congress | Push the party towards socialism |
| Economy | Abolition of zamindari; workers' and peasants' rights |
| Politics | Complete independence first |
Answer: (d) None.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Neither statement is true of the Congress Socialist Party.
- (b) Incorrect. The CSP did not advocate separate electorates.
- (c) Incorrect. All three statements are false.
- (d) CORRECT. None of the statements describes the Congress Socialist Party.
Key point
Congress Socialist Party (1934): Jayaprakash Narayan, Narendra Dev, Minoo Masani; democratic socialism inside the Congress; no proletarian dictatorship, no separate electorates.
Remember
CSP (1934) = democratic socialists within Congress.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the CSP with the Communist Party of India.
- Assuming a socialist party wanted a proletarian dictatorship.
- Forgetting that the CSP worked inside the Congress.
Exam tip
Congress Socialists = socialism through democracy, inside the Congress.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence, Ch 24 (The Rise of the Left-Wing)
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Emergence of socialist ideas)