Assembly marks 108th anniv of 1918 War Conference

The Delhi Legislative Assembly on Tuesday commemorated the 108th anniversary of the 1918 War Conference held at the historic Old Secretariat, with Speaker Vijender Gupta paying tribute to thousands of Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.

Addressing the House, Gupta recalled that on April 27–29, 1918, the then Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford, had convened a landmark War Conference in the same chamber, attended by around 120 representatives, including princely rulers and national leaders, to deliberate on India’s role in the war.

He noted that Mahatma Gandhi was present at the conference and had supported cooperation with the British Empire, hoping it would lead to self-rule. “History stands witness that this trust was betrayed,” the Speaker said, referring to subsequent events such as the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Highlighting the scale of India’s contribution, Gupta said nearly 13 lakh Indian soldiers served in the war across regions such as Flanders, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia, with over 74,000 laying down their lives.

He described the Old Secretariat, constructed in 1912 and designed by E. Montague Thomas, as the birthplace of India’s parliamentary history, noting that the first meeting of the Central Legislative Council was held there in 1913. Prominent leaders such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bipin Chandra Pal, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Lala Lajpat Rai and Vitthalbhai Patel had spoken within its walls.

Calling it a duty to remember the “75,000 unnamed soldiers” who died in a war not their own, the Speaker said their sacrifice must be honoured by a grateful nation.

He also announced that a seminar would be held at the Assembly premises on April 30 to mark the occasion, with V. K. Singh attending as chief guest and keynote speaker.