Previous Year Question
In which of the following Sessions of Indian National Congress, Mahatma Gandhi said, “Gandhi may die but Gandhism will remain forever”?
Calcutta Session, 1928
Lahore Session, 1929
Madras Session, 1927
Karachi Session, 1931
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress was held in March 1931 and was presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The session took place under exceptionally important political circumstances. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact had been concluded on 5 March 1931, and shortly afterwards Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were executed on 23 March 1931.
The execution of Bhagat Singh and his associates had created considerable resentment among young nationalists towards Gandhi and the settlement. On Gandhi's arrival at Karachi, some young protesters even raised slogans such as “Down with Gandhism.” Against this background, Gandhi explained that an individual could be killed, but an idea founded upon truth and non-violence could not be destroyed.
In his speech at the Karachi Congress, Gandhi expressed the idea that he might be killed, but Gandhism could not be killed, because for him Gandhism represented the attainment of Swaraj through truth and non-violence.
The Karachi Session also endorsed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and adopted the historic resolutions on Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Programme.
Therefore, the statement mentioned in the question is associated with the Karachi Session of 1931.