THE CONGRESS PARTY’S ROLE IN THE SINDH ASSEMBLY

        In pursuance of Section 289 of the Government of India Act 1935, Sindh was separated from the Mombai presidency by an Order in Council in 1936 and Sir Lancelot Graham was appointed first Governor on 1st April 1936.On 1st February 1937 elections for Sindh Legislative Assembly were held.The Assembly was to consist of 60 members as per the following allotment of the seats:

General Seats (18)
Muhammadan Seats (33)
Land Holders Seats (02)
European Seats (02)
Seats for representatives of Commerce etc (02)
Seats for representatives of Labour (01)
Seats for Women-General (01)
Seats for Muhammadan Women (01)
thus total seats 60.

Following was the result of members elected on behalf of various parties:

Congress (07)
United Party (17)
Sindh Muslim Political Party (05)
Azad Party (01)
independents (30)

On behalf of the Congress following 7 members were elected to the Assembly:

1. Miss Jethi Sipahimalani ( Karachi Cum Hyderabad –Women Seat)
2. Mr.R.K. Sidhwa ( Karachi city South)
3. Dr.Popatlal Bhoopatkar ( Karachi City North)
4. Seth Issardas Varandmal (Commerce)
5. Prof.Ghanshyam Jethanand (Hyderabad-Suburbs & Taluka)
6. Mr.Newandram Vishindas (Nawabshah North)
7. Hasaram Pamnani (Sukkur Rular East)

The work of the Congress party generally reflected the political wisdom and capability of the Sindh Congress with the result that the party started growing in strength outside the House.When therefore the first speaker Mr.Bhojsing Pahlajani died,his seat was contested by the Congress from Sukkur constituency. Inspite of strong opposition launched by the Hindu Sabha Congress candidate Mr.C.T.Valecha returned with a thumping majority.

Soon after, owing to the death of Dewan Hiranand Khemchand,the Congress again resolved to contest the seat and put Dr.Choithram P.Gidwani who was returned uncontested.

For the first time the Congress decided to contest the Muslim seat which fell vacant on account of the death of Mr.Zain-ul-Abdin Khan Sundrani and Mr.Muhammad Amin Khoso was give Congress ticket who was dully elected.Thus within a short time the Congress was able to secure all the seats fallen vacant in the bye-elections.

Office Bearers of the Congress Party in Sindh Legislative Assembly were elected as under:
Mr.R.K.Sidhwa (Leader)
Dr.Popatlal (Secretary)
Mr.Newandram Vishidas (Whip)
Prof.Ghanshyam Jethanand (Member)
Dr.Choithram P.Gidwani (Member)
Seth Issardas (Member)
Jethi Sipahimalani (Member)
Mr.C.T.Vaecha (Member)

Owing to the unsettled conditions of acceptance or non-acceptance of the office in other provinces on an All India basis the Congress in Sindh Legislative Assembly resolved not to accept office or take part in the formation of the Ministry. Although very small in a House of 60 this party proved itself as the most vocal of all the parties. Almost all the members were found vigilant through out the proceedings of the Assembly. It was the Congress party which was responsible in defeating the first Ministry.

During the period April 1937 to August 1940 the performance of the party in the House remained as under:

QUESTIONS:
Number of questions put 4600
Supplementary questions put 14850
Number of questions put by Congress members 3231

Number of answered questions( put by Congress members) :
R.K.Sidhwa 681
Ghanshyam Jethanand 497
Hasaram S.Pamnani 368
Dr.Popatlal 196
Newandram Vishindas 128
C.T.Vaecha 98
Muhammad Amin Khoso 83

During the period from April 1937 to August 1940 Non-official bills to extent of 109 were introduced by the members out of which the Congress Party’s share was 75 bills.The principle of Shop Assistants Bill moved by Dr.Popatlal was accepted by the Government as a Government measure.Similarly the Midwives & Nurses Bill moved by Mr.Sidhwa was adopted by Government and passed into Law.Details of Non-Official Bills introduced by the Congress members are as under:

8. Bill No XV of 1937 ( A Bill to amend the Small Causes Court Act,1929)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.[ lost]
9. Bill No XV1 of 1937 (A Bill to amend the City of Karachi Municipal Act,1933)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.[ later on withdrawn]
10. Bill No XV111 of 1937 (A Bill to repeal the Criminal Law amendment Act,1932)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.[ Ruled out of order]
11. Bill No X1X of 1937 ( A Bill to repeal the Indian Press –Emergency Powers-Act,1931,in its application to the Province of Sindh)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.[ lost on the floor]
12. Bill No XX of 1937 (A Bill to amend the District Municipal act,1940)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.[ lapsed]
13. Bill No XX1 of 1937 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Municipal Boroughs Act,1925)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
14. Bill No XX11 of 1937 (A Bill further to amend the Indian Trade Unions Act,1926,in its application to the Province of Sindh)- Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
15. Bill No XX111 of 1937 (A Bill to amend the Trade Disputes Act,1929,in its application to the Province of Sindh)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
16. Bill No XX1V of 1937 (A Bill to amend the Trade Diputes Act,1929,in its application to the province of Sindh)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sindhwa.
17. Bill No XXV of 1937 (A Bill to repeal the Bombay Special Powers Act,1932,as amended by Bombay Act No.XXV111 of 1935)-Bill introduced by Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand.[ Later on withdrawn]
18. Bill No.XXV1 of 1937 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Land Revenue Code)-Bill introduced by Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand.[ later on withdrawn]
19. Bill No.XXV11 of 1937 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Village Sanitation Act,1889)-Bill introduced by H.S.Pamnani.
20. Bill No.11 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the City of Karachi Municipal Act,1933)-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal. [lost]
21. Bill No.111 of 1939 (A Bill to curtail and to restrict the increase of rents in Sindh)-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal. [Ruled out of order]
22. Bill No. 1V of 1939 ( A Bill to amend the Bombay District Tobacco Act,1933)-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal. [Withdrawn]
23. Bill V of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Karachi Small Causes Court Act,1929)-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal. [Lost]
24. Bill No.V1 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Primary Education Act,1923)-Bill introduced by R.K.Sidhwa. [Lapsed]
25. Bill No.V11 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Entertainment Duty Act,1923)—Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.[ Lapsed]
26. Bill No.V111 of 1939 (A Bill to introduce and to extend the prohibition of the manufacature,sale and consumption of Liquor in the Province of Sindh )-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa. [Lapsed]
27. Bill No.X of 1939 (A Bill to prohibit the employment of children and to limit the hours of persons in shops and to provide for their early closing)-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal. [Referred to Select committee]
28. Bill No.X1 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act,1887)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa. [Withdrawn]
29. Bill No.X11 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Municipal Boroughs Act,1925)-Bill introduced by Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand. [Withdrawn]
30. Bill No.X111 of 1939 (A Bill to restrain solemnization of marriages between persons of great disparity of age)-Bill introduced by Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand.
31. Bill No.X1V of 1939 (A Bill to repeal the Sindh Frontier Regulation V of 1872 and 111 of 1892)-Bill introduced by Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand. [Withdrawn]
32. Bill No.XV1 0f 1939 (A Bill to amend the Hindu Law Governing Hidu Women’s right to property so for as it affects the Province Of Sindh )_Bill introduced by Miss Jethi Sipahimalani. [Lost]
33. Bill No.XV11 of 1939 ( A Bill further to amend the Sindh Incumbered Estates Act,1896)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
34. Bill No.XV111 of 1939 (A bill to restrict the increase of rents in Sindh)-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
35. Bill No.XXV111 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Prisons Act,1894,in its application to the Province of Sindh).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
36. Bill No.XX1X of 1939 (A Bill to provide for the control of charash smoking and to prevent the assembling of persons for the purpose of such smoking in the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by H.S.Panwani.
37. Bill XXX of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act).-Bill introduced by Mr.H.S.Pamnani.
38. Bill XXX1 of 1939 (A Bill further to amend the Code of Civil Procedure Act V of 1808,in application to the Province of Sindh).-Bill introduced by Mr.H.S.Pamnani.
39. Bill no.XXX11 of 1939 (A Bill to protect the tenants to certain matters against the unreasonable exactions of the landlords).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
40. Bill No.XXX111 of 1939 (A Bill further to amend the Bombay Co-operative Societies Act,1925).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K. Sidhwa.
41. Bill No. XXX1V of 1939 ( A Bill to prevent juveniles from smoking toboaco).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
42. Bill No.XXXV1 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the City of Karachi Municipal Act,as amended by Sindh Act 11 of 1938).-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
43. Bill No.XXXV11 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Weights and Measures Act,1932).-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
44. Bill No. XXXV111 of 1939 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Weights and Measures Act,1932).-Bill introduced by Mr.Issardas Varindmal.
45. Bill No.1XL of 1939 ( A Bill to amend the Sindh Village Officers Act,1881).-Bill introduced by Dr. Popatlal.
46. Bill No.XL of 1939 ( A Bill to provide for the temporary relief of small holders in the Province of Sindh ).Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal .
47. Bill No. XL11 of 1939 (A Bill to prohibit able-bodied vegrants from begging publicly on the streets).-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
48. Bill No XL1V of 1939 ( A Bill to amend the Indian Lunacy Act,1912 in its application to the Province of Sindh),-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
49. Bill No. L of 1939 ( A Bill to amend the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act,1887).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
50. Bill No.L1 of 1939 ( A Bill to provide protection to Small holders in the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand.
51. Bill No.L11 of 1939 ( A Bill further to amend the Bombay District Tobacco Act,1933,in its application to the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand.
52. Bill No.L111 of 1939 ( A Bill to regulate the qualifications and to provide for the registration of practitioners of Indian System of Medicine and to amend the law relating to medical practitioners generally in the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by Mr.H.S.Pamnani.
53. Bill No.L1V of 1939 ( A Bill to make provision for the colourisation of all artificial ghee).- Bill introduced by Mr.Issardas Varindmal.
54. Bill No.LV of 1939 ( A Bill further to amend the Bombay District Municipal Act, 1901, in its application to the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced C.T.Valecha.
55. Bill No.LV1 of 1939 ( A Bill further to amend the City of Karachi Municipal Act,1933).-Bill introduced by Mr.C.T.Velecha.
56. Bill No LV11 of 1939 ( A Bill further to amend the Bombay Local Boards Act,1923,in its applications to the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by Mr.C.T.Valecha.
57. Bill No.LV111 of 1939 ( A Bill further to amend the Bombay Municipal Boroughs Act,1925,in its application to the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by Mr. C.T.Valecha.
58. Bill No.LX of 1939 ( A Bill related to loans by Government for Industrial purposes ).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.sidhwa.
59. Bill No.X1V of 1940 (A Bill further to amend the Bombay Local Boards Act,1923).-Bill introduced by Miss Jethi Sipahimalani.
60. Bill No.XV of 1940 (A Bill to amend the Bombay Weights and Measures Act,1932).- Bill introduced by C.T.velecha.
61. Bill No. XV1 of 1940 ( A Bill to provide for the prevention of bigamous marriages of among Hindus in the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
62. Bill No. XV11 of 1940 ( A Bill to provide for the prevention of unequal marriages in Sindh).-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
63. Bill No XV111 of 1940 ( A Bill further to amend the Deccan Agriculturists relief Act,1879).-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
64. Bill No. X1X of 1940 ( A Bill to prohibit the custom of giving funeral feast).-Bill introduced bt Dr.Popatlal.
65. Bill No.XX of 1940 ( A Bill further to amend the Bombay Preservation of Prostitution Act,1923).- Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
66. Bill NO.XX1 of 1940 ( A Bill to restrain the custom of taking or ordering of dowry in marriages).-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
67. Bill No.XX1V of 1940 ( A Bill further to amend the Bombay Co-operative Societies Act.1925).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
68. Bill No.XXV of 1940 ( A Bill to regulate the transactions of money-lending in the Province of Sindh ).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
69. Bill No.XXV1 of 1940 ( A Bill to amend the Bombay Weights and Measures Act,1932).-Bill introduced by Mr.C.T.Valecha.
70. Bill No.XXV11 of 1940 (A Bill further to amend the Bombay District Municipal Act,1901).-Bill introduced by Mr.H.S.Pamnani.
71. Bill No.XX1X of 1940 ( A Bill to amend the Sindh Teti Leti Act,1939).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
72. Bill No.XXX of 1940 ( A Bill to protect the Milch and Agriculture Cattle of the Province of Sindh),-Bill introduced by Dr.Popatlal.
73. Bill No XXXV of 1940 ( A Bill to provide for the prohibition and punishment in regard to advertisements relating to intoxicants).- Bill introduced by Dr. Popatlal.
74. Bill No.XXXV111 of 1940 (A Bill further to amend the Deccan Agriculture Industries Relief Act,1879).-Bill introduced by Mr.R.K.Sidhwa.
75. Bill No.1XL of 1940 ( A Bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure).-Bill introduced by Mr. R.K.Sidhwa.
    
    RESOLUTIONS:
    
    During the period indicated above total number of Resolutions put and admitted was 1582 with share of 722 Resolutions put by Congress members.
    
    ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS:
    
    During the same period total number of Adjournment Motions moved was 35 out of which 25 adjournment motions were moved by Congress members. Details of the said motions are given as under:
    1. On 27.04.1937 Dr.Popatlal moved adjournment motion that was “talked out”.it’s subject matter was: “Speech delivered by Lord Zetland in regard to the formation of Ministries in Provincial Legislatures and his interpretation of Provincial Autonomy.”
    2. On 28.04.1937 Mr.R.K.Sidhwa moved motion that was later on withdrawn.The Motion’s Subject matter was: “Inadequate provision of accommodation in the Sindh Assembly.”
    3. On 30.04.1937 Mr.R.K.Sidwa moved adjournment motion that was later on withdrawn. Its Subject matter was : “The arbitary exercise of powers by the police authorities in Karachi in imposing restrictions on Congress activities in the National Week.”
    4. On 05.08.1937 Mr.H.S.Pamnani moved adjournment that was later on “Disallowed” its Subject matter was: “Damage caused by seepage due to Barrage construction to the land and houses of Hindus and Muslims of the Sukkur District.”
    5. On 17.08.1937 Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand moved adjournrnment motion that was later on “Disallowed”.Its Subject matter was: “Police torture and outrage at Mithi,TharParkar district by making sweeper girls naked and committing rape on them.”
    6. On 02.03.1938 Mr.R.K.Sidhwa moved motion that was later on “Disallowed” and its Subject matter was : “Release of political prisoner Hansraj Wireless detained in Hyderabad Central Jail.”
    7. On 08.03.1938 Mr.R.K.Sidhwa & Dr.Popatlal moved adjournment motion that was later on “Disallowed”.Its subject matter was : “Grant of Trafic Monopoly between Sukkur & Shikarpur by depriving one thousand persons in Sukkur and Shikarpur of their livelihood.”
    8. On 10.03.1938 Mr.H.S.Pamnani moved motion that was later on “Disallowed”its Subject matter was : “Policy of Government regarding recovery of fines from persons convicted in the last Civil Disobedience Movement.”
    9. On 11.3.1938 Mr.H.S Pamnani moved adjournment motion that was later on “Disallowed”.Its Subject matter was : “Forcible and unjustified recovery of fine from a ex-convict of Rohri already undergone a sentence imprisonment in default of the payment of fine inflicted in 1932.”
    10. On 25.03,1938 Mr.R.K.Sidhwa moved adjournment motion that was later on “Withdrawn”. Its Subject matter was : “The interference and personal canvassing by Government servants in the Assembly.”
    11. On 23.01.1939 Mr.R.K.sidhwa moved motion with the following Subject matter: “The failure of Government to implement the policy of stopping the sale of Charash from 1st April 1939.”The adjournment motion was “Disallowed”
    12. on 23.01.1939 Mr.C.T.Valecha moved the motion with the Subject matter of: “Police conduct in executing warrants in Sukkur in the Sukkur Silk Smuggling case”. The motion was later on “Withdrawn”.
    13. On 20.03.1939 Mr.Muhammad Amin Khoso moved the following adjournment motion: “The assaulting and slapping of Mr.Abdul Ghafoor Khoso by Dy.Collector,U.S.Frontier”.The motion was “Disallowed”.
    14. On 23.03.1939 Mr.Muhammad Amin Khoso moved adjournment motion with following Subject matter: “Barbarous behaviour of Sub-Inspector of Police of Tando Jam shown to Haris and their womenfolk of Unar Village of Taluka Hyderabad ”.The motion was “talked out”.
    15. On 24.03.1939 Mr.C.T.Vaecha moved adjourned motion with following Subject matter: “High handed conduct of the police in executing distress warrants against Silk merchants of Sukkur.’The motion was “Disallowed”.
    16. On 27.10.1940 Mr.R.K.Sidhwa moved adjournment motion with the following Subject matter: “Murder of Bhagat Kanwaram at Ruk station on 2nd November.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    17. On 27.01.1940 Mr.R.K.Sidhwani moved adjournment motion with the following Subject matter: “Abnormal increase in prices of foodstuffs.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    18. On 27.1.1940 Dr.Popatlal moved adjournment motion with the following subject matter: “Failure to represent the Report of the Public Accounts Committee.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    19. On 27.01.1940 Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand moved adjournment motion with the following Subject matter: “The failure of the Government to declare the Thar Division of Thar Parkar District famine area.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    20. On 27.01.1940 Mr.Ghanshyam Jethanand moved adjournment motiom with the following Subject matter: “Stopping of Bus Service on certain routes and transferring it to one party.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    21. On 27.01.1940 Mr.Ghanshyam Jetanand moved adjourned motion with the following Subject matter: “The utter failure of the Government in handling the Manzilgah question and satisfactorily and in taking adequate measures to protect life and property of people,which resulted in unfortunate and tragic happenings in Sukkur and surrounding areas.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    22. On 27.01.1940 Mr.C.T.Valecha moved motion on the following Subject matter: “The application of Section 7 of the Crimnal Law Amendment Act to the town of Mirpurkhas and arrests by Government thereunder.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    23. On 27.01.1940 Mr.H.S.Pamnani moved motion on the following Subject matter: “The failure of the Sindh Government to detect the murderers of Bhagat Kanwarram.”The motion was “Disallowed”.
    24. On 27.01.1940 Dr.Popatlal moved motion of the following Subject matter: “The failure of the Sindh Government to lift the censorship on the Press during the Manzilgah agitation and subsequent occurrences.”Later on the motion was “not moved”.
    25. On 02.02.1940 Mr.H.S.Pamnani moved motion on the following Subject matter: “The murder of Bhai Ranganmal near village Korai,Taluka Pano Aqil on the 26th January 1940 as a result of lawlessness and insecurity in Sukkur District.”The motion was “talked out”.

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