In today's day and age, when one hears of the term “India League”, within a click of the fingers, the cricketing game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) springs up in mind. It seems like unless one is an avid seeker of knowledge in Indian history, they may not be aware of the India League which was very instrumental in campaigning for India's independence from the British Raj in the UK and overseas.
So what is the India League? India League, or the Indian Independence League (IIL), Home Rule for India League, or the Commonwealth of India League, was a political organisation for those who lived outside of the Indian subcontinent who sought the removal of the British Empire and colonial rule all over India. A British woman, Annie Besant had set up the Home Rule for India League in 1912.
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a British theosophist, socialist, women's rights activist, amongst other attributes. Being someone who was proud of her Irish heritage, she was a strong supporter of Irish and Indian self-rule. It was during her theosophy work in 1898 she took a trip to India. Mrs Besant was amorous of India, its people, culture, cuisine, history and religion. In other words, she was one of the early Indophiles who was completely engrossed in Indian politics.
She has been a staunch activist in India's campaign for freedom since the early 1900's, and it would not be preposterous to say that she has been a pillar of strength, a pioneer in involving those living outside of India, especially in the UK, to campaign for its freedom; be it someone who originated from the Indian subcontinent, or a well-established and respected Briton, she brought to light the issue of India under the British Raj and how India, alike other established nations, deserved and were entitled to their own voice, their own rules. Prior to establishing the India League, she was appointed as the President of the Indian National Congress, in 1917. Her momentous Presidential speech impacted one and all. She stated,
“For the first time in Congress history, you have chosen as your President one, who when your choice was made, was under the heavy ban of Government displeasure, and who lay interned as a person dangerous to public safety. While I was humiliated, you crowned me with honour, while I was slandered, you believed in my integrity and good faith; while I was crushed under the heel of bureaucratic power, you acclaimed me as your leader; while I was silenced and unable to defend myself, you defended me, and won for me release. I was proud to serve in lowliest fashion, but you lifted me up and placed me before the world as your chosen representative. I have no words with which to thank you, no eloquence with which to repay my debt...”.
The rise of India League
A decade after its formation, Home Rule for India League's name changed to the Commonwealth of India League in 1922. The tone of the India League was more revolutionary and had the involvement of the most distinguished British dignitaries of that era, such as the socialist political theorist, Harold Laski; and philosopher Bertrand Russell.
India League's objectives were to sought Dominion Status which they later rejected for the greater purpose of a full independence. Student of Professor Harold Laski and Mrs Besant's protégé, Vengalil Krishnan (V.K.) Krishna Menon joined the India League in 1928 as its Joint Secretary with James Harvey, and later became the General Secretary in 1930.
Once the league entered the early 1930's, it picked up momentum and grew in magnitude by expanding to several branches across London, as well as in various cities in Britain, including Bournemouth, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, Hull, Lancashire, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Southampton and Wolverhampton.
Gandhi's statue in Central London
The India League were very instrumental in introducing Gandhi's statue to Tavistock Square in London. The statue was sculpted by Fredda Brilliant, and was erected by the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Committee, with the support and guidance of the India League. The Father of the Nation's statue was unveiled on 17th May 1968 by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Harold Wilson MP. The first High Commissioner of independent India, V.K. Krishna Menon, was also at the unveiling of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Bloomsbury. The High Commissioner of India to the UK was Mr S. S. Dhawan in 1968.
The London Borough of Camden gave a very prime sight in Central London for Gandhi's statue, which to this day is very well-maintained by India House. The staff at the High Commission of India UK, clean and maintain the statue at Tavistock Square on Gandhi's birth anniversary (2nd October) and Gandhi's martyr day (30 January).
Influence in the USA
Apart from the growing support in Britain for the Indian Home Rule, the American Press also followed the activities of the Indian National Congress in India and that of India League in England, and would be leading to highlight its progress. By allowing the public to discuss about India's problems was a way of America showing their support to India.
The India League not only helped raise awareness about India's situation in foreign shores, but also encouraged others to voice their opinion and show their support in campaigning for a free and truly independent India.
India League in the Present
The current Chairman of India League is the Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar, Mr CB Patel. Dr. Cyriac Maprayil is the Vice Chairman, and Mr Asoke Gupta is the Main Coordinator.
Proven to be extremely vital and potent in acquiring India's independence, the India League went on to be bestowed in history books. But such a shame it is that in today's contemporary world, you'll find more people who'll know more about the cricketing Indian Premiere League, or the Hockey India League, than about the India League that helped reform justice and freedom in India.
The amount of success and history that encompasses the lineage of The India League, it is sad to see the struggle that one has to face in keeping the heritage alive in current Britain.
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