International Web-Symposium Series

Celebrating 75 Years of India’s Independence

on

Contributions of Indian Diaspora (PIO) in Freedom Struggles of India

organised by

Diaspora and International Migration Programme (DIMP), CAS-School of International Studies,

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi

in Collaboration with

Organisation for Diaspora Initiatives (ODI India),

on

2 October 2021

from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM (Indian Standard Time)

Registration LINK: http://surl.li/ahbgc

(Registration closes on 1 October 2021, by 5:00 PM Indian Standard Time)

ODI Series Coordinators: Dr. Sushmita Rajwar, Assistant Professor, University of Delhi &

Ms. Aarshi Dua, Doctoral Fellow, CAS-School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Media Coordinators: Mr. Samir Bhattacharya, CAS-School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University & Ms. Sarita Nandmehar, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Documentation & Certification Support: Ms. Ivy Handique, Doctoral Fellow, CAS-School of International Studies, JNU &

  Ms. Chandani Tiwari, Doctoral Fellow, CAS-School of International Studies, JNU

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Concept Note

Contributions of Indian Diaspora (PIO) in Freedom Struggles of India

The Indian Nationalist Movement has a long history of Indians struggling for their rights from the oppressive policies of the colonial ruler. The Nationalist Movement gained momentum with the help of great reformers and leaders in India who gained exposure from many other countries. These leaders were the driving force behind taking the Indian Nationalist Movement forward and spreading the objectives of these movements among the international community. Many important leaders like Mahatma Gandhi started their political journey in other colonised countries. The methods and principles adopted by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa came to be used commonly in Indian National Movement too. There were many others like Dadabhai Naoroji,  Shrinivas Shastri, KM Munshi, B. R. Ambedkar, Shyam ji Krishna Varma,  who went to other countries and became influential figures of the Indian National Movement.

The Indian Diaspora abroad contributed to the Indian freedom struggles in several ways. There was a large number of Indian Diaspora in the British colonies who had travelled under different capacities like that of indentured labourers or passenger Indians or traders. There was also a substantial number among them who had done well in various businesses and were economically empowered. The Indian Diaspora in countries of Africa and Latin America also looked upto the Indian leadership. The Indian leaders in the 20^th century started travelling to British colonies as part of asserting India to know about Indian Diaspora and also to seek support in developed countries for Indian national movements. Lala Lajpat Rai went to seek support and assistance from Indians in Canada. Lala Har Dayal, the publisher of Vande Mataram was a great influencer for students of California University to join the Indian National Movement. He led the Indian community in America to join hands in the Indian liberation struggle. Subhash Chandra Bose also went abroad and spread awareness about the Indian situation and his legendry mobilisation of Indians against the British through INA from Singapore is a well-known diaspora contribution. Similarly, there were many other Indian leaders who worked hard to create awareness amongst the Indian community abroad and  joined the Indian National Movement. Mahatma Gandhi’s principles like Ahimsa, Non-violence and Satyagraha were used for the first time in South Africa against the colonial government but later used in Indian freedom struggles. These leaders also worked with the help of some organisations which helped them build their base and support around the world. The support , sympathy and contributory role of Indian Diaspora differed between those who were under colonies and those who were in developed North American and European countries. These two segments of Indian diaspora had two different domestic situations, constraints and opportunities to contribute to Indian freedom struggles and they need to be understood in this diverse context.

With this background, this web-symposium seeks to address the contributions of the Indian Diaspora in the Indian freedom struggles at different periods of time and through the help of various associations and leaders. The first of the proposed Webinar Series would deliberate on the neighbouring countries around Indian Ocean on issues, though not confining to:

1. How despite being under colonial rule, PIO expressed their support to Indian freedom struggles.
2. Who were the leaders and which were political or social formations that sided and supported the Indian freedom struggle.
3. How Indian diaspora responded to visits and inspection of their conditions undertaken by Indian nationalist to their adopted countries regarding freedom struggles going on India.
4. How colonial authorities and local population responded to Indian diaspora support to Indian freedom struggles.