CPI, founded in Kanpur on 26 December 1925, was the first concerted effort on Indian soil toward forming an all-India Communist party.
About CPI
- Genesis: In 1920, a group of seven Indian revolutionaries, including M.N. Roy, Mohammad Ali, M.P.T. Acharya, and Mohammad Shafiq, met in Tashkent and formed the Communist Party of India in exile.
- CPI was formally established at the Kanpur Communist Conference in December 1925, uniting various communist groups active across British India.
- Members:
- First President: Singaravelu Chettiar.
- First general secretaries: S.V. Ghate and J.P. Bagerhatta.
- Other Prominent Leaders: Evelyn Trent-Roy, Abani Mukherjee, Rosa Fitingov, A. K. Gopalan, S.A. Dange, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, P.C. Joshi, Ajay Ghosh and P. Sundarraya etc.
Role of CPI in Indian Freedom Struggle
- Mass mobilisation: CPI mobilised workers, peasants, students, and women through India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and women’s organisations into the national movement.
- Social reforms: CPI supported Dalit rights, Hindu–Muslim unity and campaigns against caste discrimination and communalism.
- Kerala: CPI leaders like AK Gopalan and P Krishna Pillai led the satyagraha in Guruvayur for entry of Untouchables inside the temple.
- Demand for Poorna Swaraj: CPI first demanded complete independence in manifestos to INC sessions in 1921 and 1922, later adopted at Lahore in 1929.
- Role in Constitution:M.N. Roy proposed a constitution in 1934 and CPI argued for a constituent assembly for free India.
