Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate.

The period from 1920 to 1947 has been described as the Gandhian Era in Indian politics. During this period, Mahatma Gandhi led the national freedom struggle against British rule and also gave space and voice to many other voices which further strengthened the movement.

Voices that strengthened and enriched nationalist movement are as follows:

1. Socialist.

● The socialists believed in the idea of sustained struggle. The Quit India movement was based on this philosophy.

● Leaders like J.L. Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose propagated socialist ideas in Indian territory. In the Haripura session of the congress of 1938, the socialist concept of planning was for the first time adopted. 

2. Revolutionary Extremists.

● The supreme self-sacrifice performed by Indian revolutionaries inspired Indians to join the mass base of the national movement. E.g.: Surya Sen, Bhagat Singh.

● Indian revolutionaries popularised the cause of Indian struggle against British rule all over the world. This helped in strengthening public opinion against British rule. E.g.: Ghadar Movement in USA.

3. Swarajists.

● They argued that the nationalists should boycott the Legislative Councils, join them, obstruct their work according to their government plans, highlight their weaknesses, and engage in political struggle.

● Through their efforts Swarajists exposed the hollowness of reforms introduced by act of 1919.

4. Indian Working Class & Leftist voice.

● During 1920-22, there occurred a resurgence of the working class in the Indian national movement and got involved in the mainstream of nationalist politics.

● Most important development was the formation of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

● The workers participated during 1930 in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

5. Women’s voice strengthening and enriching nationalist movement.

● Sarojini Naidu an outstanding leader campaigning and leading from the front in the Civil Disobedience Movement and Salt Satyagraha.

● Annie Besant was elected the president of the Indian National Congress and launched the Home Rule Movement.

● Madam Cama unfurled the flag of Indian Independence in Stuttgart advocating the right to freedom.

● Other prominent voices during the Gandhian phase were Kamala Nehru, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, Kalpana Dutta, Kamala Devi, etc.

The Gandhi phase enriched the national movement with broader social participation, lacking in the middle and extreme phases of the struggle. This multidimensional nature of the movement proved to be a plus point in the freedom struggle.