The economic crisis created by the first world war, Rowlalt Act, Jallianwalla massacre, dissatisfaction with Montague Chelmsford Reforms etc. were the main causes of non – cooperation movement. Gandhi ji had merged the demands of the congress and the Khilafat Committee. He demanded that the government should express regret and grief over the Jallianwala Massacre, soften its attitutde towards Turkey, and present a new plan to satisty the Indian people.
The reasons of non – cooperation movement – The main reasons of noncooperation movement were following.
1. First world war : The British government in order to get the support of Indians during first world war had announced that the purpose of this war was to make the world safe for democracy and every nation had the right to make self determination. But after the end of the war, the British government turned away from its promise.
2. Russian Revolution of 1917 CE : The Russian Revolution of 1917 CE was such a phenomenon that demonstrated to the Indians how the common masses could achieve their right on the basis of courage.
3. Act of 1919 CE : Dyarchy system was established by the act of 1919. But some congress leaders described them as insufficiently disappointing. This led to a split among the congress leaders, and all the other liberal leaders, except Gandhi ji, separated from the congress.
4. Rowlatt Act : The government had got the right to ban anyone, prosecute and purush any person without trial by the Rowlatt act. Through this act, the system of appeals, lawers and arguments ended.
5. Jallianwala Massacre : On 13 April 1919, General Dyer ordered his men to open fire on the assembled crowd with rifles, without issuing any warning. 379 people were killed in this massacre. Hunter commission blamed Indians. This made the flaming fire more intense in the hearts of Indians.
6. Khilafat movement : During the first world war, the English declared that the integrity of Turkey Empire and holy place would be kept secured. Therefore, Indian Muslims participated in the first world war and supported the British government but after the end of the war, Turkey was forced to accept abusive terms and the Turkey Empire was dissipated. The Britishers deceived the Indian Muslims.
So they started the khilafat movement and the congress also supported them under the leadership of Gandhi ji. Now Gandhi ji was not the supporter of British government. Gandhi ji had merged the demands of the congress and the Khilafat Committee. He demanded that the government should express regret and grief over the Jallianwala massacre, soften its attitude towards Turkey and present a new plan for safety of the Indian people.
A special convention of the congress was held in Calcutta in september 1920 under the presidentship of Lala Lajpat Rai. The programme of noncooperation was accepted in the special Calcutta convention. It was decided in this convention to boycott the elections to be held in November 1920 in accordance with Montague Chelmsford Reforms (1919).
The programmes of non – cooperation movement :
The annual convention of congress was held in 1920 at Nagpur under the presidentship of Vijay Raghavacharya. The following programmes were planned for the non – cooperation movement.
1. Leaving government posts and unpaid posts.
2. Boycott of government and semi – government functions.
3. Boycott of government schools, colleges and courts.
4. Boycott of foreign goods.
Besides these, resigning from government jobs and refusing to pay taxes were also included in the programme. Constructive activities: Establishment of national schools and colleges, establishment of panchayats to settle disputes, propagation of indigeneously manufactured cloth using the spiring wheel, encouraging hand – woven and hand spun textiles, prohibition of liquor, encouraging Hindu-Muslim unity, eradication of untouchability etc.
Progress of Non – cooperation Movement: Gandhi ji gave an assurance that if these programmes were implemented entirely, selfrule could be attained in one year. Mahatma Gandhi gave up the title of ‘Kesar – e – hind’ awarded to him by the British government. Inspired by Gandhi ji Jamnalal Bajaj gave-up the title of ‘Rai Bahadur’. Many people returned their titles and positions, many leaders like Motilal Nehru, Chittaranjan Das, Rajendra Prasad etc.
gave – up their law practice and foreign goods were boycotted. Many national schools and colleges were owened. Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Bihar Vidyapeeth, Jamia Millia University etc. were founded. 17 November 1921, the British crown prince, the prince of Wales reached Bombay. Preparations were made for welcoming the prince of Wales, but the people of Bombay took out a procession in protest of the visit.
Workers shut down factories and declared a strike. Demonstrations were held at various places. The police opened fire on the demonstrators, in which many people were killed. In 1921, there were 396 strikes in which 6 lakhs workers participated. Major leaders like Motilal Nehru, chittaranjan Das, Lala Lajpat Rai, Dr.Kichloo, Mohammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali etc. were arrested.
Gandhi ji was not yet arrested. British government tried to hold talks through Madan Mohan Malviya and Mohammad Ali Jinnah. In December 1921, a delegation under the leadership of Madan Mohan Malviya met the Viceroy Reading. but no agreement could be reached.
Ahmedabad Congress Conference (Session) – In the meantime, the annual convention of congress was held in December 1921 at Ahmedabad. Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das was elected congress President. But as he was in prison, Hakim Ajmal Khan assumed the post. Sarojini Naidu read out Chittaranjan Das’ speech.
It was decided in this convention to direct for the non-cooperation more efectively. More than 30,000 people had been aerested. Gandhi ji warned Viceroy Lord Reading that if the government did not end their oppression in a week and release all imporisoned revolutionaries, he would begin a collective civil-disobedience movement at Bardoli.
Chauri – Chaura incident : In the mean while an incident occurred at a place called Chauri-Chaura in Deoria district. (UP), the police tried to stop a peaceful procession at Chauri- Chaura, and the zealous crowd seized the police station and set it on fire. The station officer and 21 policemen died in this incident. Gandhi ji decided to end the non-cooperation movement due to this incident.
On february 12, 1923 Gandhi ji announced the postponement of the non-cooperation movement at congress committee meeting at Bardoli. The imprisoned Lala Lajpat Rai, Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru protested this decision of Gandhi ji and wrote a letter. Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawahar Lal Nehru were also saddened at Gandhi’s Decision. The British oppression did not cease even when the movement was discontinued. On 10th march 1922 Mahatma Gandhi was arrested on charge of treason.
He was sentenced to 6 years in prision, but was later released from prision in 1924. After this, he put his entire attention towards encouraging Khadi, eradicating untouchability etc. • Importance of non-cooperation movement-Non-cooperation movement has a special significance in India’s independence struggle. This movement is criticised on the grounds that it was not successful in obtainning selfrule.
Gandhi ji could not honour his promise of attaining self – rule within a year. The question of Khilafat also ended. This movement could not also bring Hindu-Muslim unity. On the contrary, communal feelings were fuelled. The constructive activities of this movement, however, were quite successful. Important achievements like establishment of national educational institutions, adoption of the charkha and production of khadi, adopting indigeneous goods etc.
movement of congress took the form of popular mass movement. It aroused intense desire for self rule among the masses. This movement organised the people in challenging the British Government.
