Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement PDF

Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Bapu or Mahatma Gandhi, completely dominated the Indian National Movement from 1919 to 1948. That is why, this period is known as the Gandhian era in Indian history. EARLY LIFE Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 a...

Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Bapu or Mahatma Gandhi, completely dominated the Indian National Movement from 1919 to 1948. That is why, this period is known as the Gandhian era in Indian history. EARLY LIFE Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 at Porbandar in the Kathiawad district of Gujarat. His father was the Diwan of Rajkot State. In 1888, he went to England to study Law. On completing his studies, he came back to India and started practising Law at Rajkot. From 1893 to 1914, he practised Law in South Africa. He returned to India in Jan. 1915. Champaran Satyagraha(1917): Gandhiji's first great experiment in Satyagraha was accomplished in 1917 in Champaran, Bihar. The indigo cultivators of Champaran were greatly exploited by European planters. They were bound by law to grow indigo on 3/20th of their land and sell it to the British planters at prices fixed by them. Gandhiji supported them by satyagrah and cultivators got relief. Ahmedabad Satyagraha (1918): Gandhiji led the mill-workers of Ahmedabad in a strike against the mill-owners who had refused to pay them higher wages. When the workers seemed to weaken, he provided support to them by undertaking a fast. Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Crops failed in Kheda and the peasants were not in a position to pay land revenue. The government refused to forgo the land revenue. Gandhiji organised the peasants to offer Satyagraha. NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT Non-cooperation is 'a way of protesting in which one does not co- operate with the evil-doer.' CAUSES THAT LED TO THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT 1. Rowlatt Act: It was passed in March 1919. This Act authorised the Government to imprison any person without trial and convict him in a court. The Rowlatt Act implied: (i) Arrest of a person without warrant. (ii) In camera trial (trial in seclusion). (iii) Restrictions on movements of individuals. (iv) Suspension of the Right of Habeas Corpus. The Act came like a sudden blow to the Indians who were expecting self-governance. Gandhiji appealed to the Viceroy to withhold his consent to such measures. However, his appeal was ignored. He started 'Satyagraha as a challenge to the government. 2. Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy: A large but peaceful crowd gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, to protest against the arrest of leaders like Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satya Pal. Jallianwala Bagh had only one exit, its other three sides were enclosed by buildings. General Dyer, the military Commander of Amritsar surrounded the Bagh (garden) with his soldiers. After closing the exit with his troops, he ordered them to shoot at the crowd. The troops kept on firing till their ammunition was exhausted. About one thousand innocent demonstrators were killed and many more wounded. Tagore expressed the pain and anger of the country by returning his Knighthood. 3. Khilafat Movement: Turkey was defeated in First World War and Sultan of Turkey (Caliph) was deprived all power. The Muslim population in India started a powerful agitation known as the Khilafat Movement, under the leadership of the Ali Brothers - Mohammed Ali and Shaukat Ali. Gandhiji saw in the Khilafat Movement a chance for uniting Hindus and Muslims. Mahatma Gandhi was elected as President of the All-India Khilafat Conference in November 1919. By the end of 1920, the Khilafat Movement and the Congress Non- Cooperation Movement merged into one nationwide movement. OBJECTIVES OF THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT The Non-Cooperation Movement sought to achieve the following objectives: (i) To attain self-government within the British Empire if possible and outside if necessary. (ii) Cancel of the Rowlatt Act and correcting the Punjab wrong, (iii) Remedying the Khilafat wrong. PROGRAMMES Boycott programmes Boycott of elections to be held for the Councils as suggested by the reforms of 1919. Resignation from nominated seats in local bodies. Surrender of titles and honorary offices. Refusal to attend government functions. Swadeshi programmes Popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi by reviving hand-spinning and hand-weaving. Removal of untouchability and other measures for Harijan welfare. ACTIVITIES DURING NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT The nation enthusiastically responded to the call of Gandhiji. The people were ready to practise non-cooperation with the government in every field. Lawyers gave up their legal practice. Students left schools and colleges. The Congress boycotted the elections to the legislatures by not putting up candidates for the first elections to the Councils.  Charkhas were manufactured for the people to spin cloth. Gandhiji himself started spinning. The Jamia Millia Islamia was established as a national university. The Bihar Vidyapith, Kashi Vidyapith and the Gujarat Vidyapith, were the other national universities that were established with teachers like Acharya Narendra Dev, Dr. Zakir Hussain and Lala Lajpat Rai. Rabindranath Tagore and many other distinguished citizens of India gave up their titles and awards. Gandhiji returned the medals that were awarded for his work in South Africa. People contributed generously to finance the movement. Shops selling foreign goods and liquor were picketed. Foreign cloth was burnt in market places. In Kheda, Gujarat, many peasants organised non-violent campaigns against the high land revenue. In many forest villages, peasants proclaimed 'Swaraj' and believed that 'Gandhi Raj' was about to be established. The Prince of Wales came to India in 1921. The people boycotted his visit at Mumbai, observed a hartal and arranged a meeting on the beach. The mob turned unruly and riots followed. The police opened fire and killed 59 people. REPRESSION BY THE GOVERNMENT The Government took severe measures to suppress the movement. Under Gandhiji's inspiration, prison lost its terror and became a place of pilgrimage. All important leaders except Gandhiji were arrested and sent to jail. Processions and public meetings were banned. The Khilafat and the Congress volunteer organisations were declared illegal. Unfortunately the whole movement was abruptly called off on February 12, 1922, at Gandhiji's insistence, following the news of the Chauri Chaura incident. SUSPENSION OF THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT Chauri Chaura: The tragedy at Chauri Chaura, a village in Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh, occurred on February 5, 1922. A procession of about 3,000 peasants marched to the police station to protest against the police officer who had beaten some volunteers picketing a liquor shop. The police fired at the peasants. This angered the demonstrators and they set the nearby police station on fire, killing 22 policemen who were inside the police station. Gandhiji suspended the Non Cooperation movement. IMPACT OF THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT 1. The National Movement Became a Mass Movement: The Indian national movement, for the first time in history, acquired a real mass base with the participation of different sections of Indian society such as peasants, workers, students, teachers and women. 2. Instilled Confidence Among the People: It generated a desire for freedom and inspired people to challenge the colonial rule. 3. The Congress Became a Revolutionary Movement: It transformed the Indian National Congress from a deliberative assembly into an organisation for action. It became the organiser and leader of the masses in their national struggle. 4. Fostered Hindu-Muslim Unity: It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity which could be seen in the merger of the Khilafat issue with this Movement. It provided an opportunity to the Congress to bring the urban Muslims into the National Movement. 5. Promoted Social Reforms: As a consequence of the Non- Cooperation Movement several steps were taken in the direction of prohibition and removal of untouchability. 6. Spread Nationalism to Every Part of the Country: The Movement gave a new boost to nationalism in India. 7. Popularised the Cult of Swaraj: The goal of the Non- Cooperation Movement was to attain Swaraj within the British empire, if possible, and outside, if necessary. FACTORS LEADING UPTO CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT This movement was to be different from the Non-Cooperation movement in the sense that the Non-Cooperation movement (1921-22) sought to bring the working of the government to a standstill by not cooperating with the administration, whereas the Civil Disobedience Movement was an attempt at paralysing the administration by breaking some specific rules and regulations. 1. Simon Commission: In November 1927, the British Government appointed the Indian Statutory Commission, popularly known as the Simon Commission, (after the its Chairman Sir John Simon) to suggest the need for further constitutional reforms. The Commission was composed of seven British members of Parliament. It had no Indian member. It was deliberate insult to the self-respect of the Indians. Recommendations of Simon Commission: The following were the recommendations of the commission: 1. Dyarchy should be abolished and there should be complete autonomy in the Provinces, but the Governor should be given overriding powers in certain matters like the internal security. 2. Provincial Legislative Councils should be enlarged. 3. Federal government at the Centre, should embrace not only British India but also the Princely States. 4. The Governor-General should select and appoint members of his Cabinet. 5. British troops and British officers should stay on in Indian regiments for many more years. 6. High Courts should be under the administrative control of the Government of India. NEHRU REPORT (1928) Lord Birkenhead, said that the Indians were not united and could not arrive at an 'agreed scheme of reforms'. So All-Parties Conference was called in 1928 to take up the challenge posed by Lord Birkenhead. Motilal Nehru was made chairman. The report submitted by the All Parties Conference is known as the Nehru Report. The Nehru Report proposed: 1. Dominion Status for India; 2. That the Parliament of India should consist of- (a) the Senate elected for 7 years, containing 200 members elected by the Provincial Councils and (b) the House of Representation with 500 members elected for five years through adult franchise; 3. Joint electorates with reservation of seats for minorities. 4. Creation of 'new provinces' on linguistic basis; 5. 'Nineteen Fundamental Rights' including the right to vote, freedom from arbitrary arrest, searches and seizures and freedom of conscience. 2. Declaration of Poorna Swaraj: Jawaharlal Nehru was made the President of the Congress at the historic Lahore session of 1929. It passed a resolution declaring Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) to be objective of the Congress. (i) Preparation for Civil Disobedience. (ii) Declaration of Poorna Swaraj resolution, (iii) Observance of 26th of January as the 'Poorna Swaraj' day, all over the country with the hoisting of the tricolour flag. (iv) Resignations by members of the legislature. (v) Withdrawal from all possible association with the British Government. It was decided to observe January 26, as the Day of Independence every year. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT (1930-1934) Before starting the movement, Gandhiji served on the British government a 'Eleven Point Ultimatum' to Lord Irwin. DANDI MARCH On 12th March, Mahatma Gandhi began the historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi. He had selected to attack the Salt Laws because the salt-tax affected all sections of society, especially the poor. Gandhiji's breaking of the Salt Laws marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. THE PROGRAMME OF THE MOVEMENT Civil Disobedience Movement involved: (i) Defiance of Salt Laws, (ii) Boycott of liquor, (iii) Boycott of foreign cloth and British goods of all kinds, and (iv) Non-payment of taxes and revenues. THE PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT The movement spread rapidly. Violation of Salt Laws all over the country was soon followed by defiance of forest laws and refusal to pay the rural chaukidari tax in Eastern India. Everywhere in the country people joined hartals, demonstrations and the campaign to boycott foreign goods and refused to pay taxes. Lakhs of Indians offered Satyagraha. The boycott of British goods and the picketing of liquor shops were a part of the daily programme. Under the leadership of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as The Frontier Gandhi', the Pathans organised the society of Khudai Khidmatgars (or Servants of God), known popularly as Red Shirts. They were pledged to non-violence and the freedom struggle. In Nagaland, Rani Gaidilieu, at the age of 13 responded to Gandhiji's call and raised the banner of revolt against the British rule. Civil Disobedience Movement resulted in mass strikes and setting up of parallel governments in several places. REPRESSION BY THE GOVERNMENT The Government resorted to firing, lathi charges and large scale imprisonment. Over 90,000 Satyagrahis including Congress leaders and Gandhiji were imprisoned. The Congress was declared illegal and severe restrictions were imposed on the nationalist Press. Protest meetings were held everywhere. The textile and railway workers of Mumbai went on strike. There were instances of firing at Delhi and Kolkata. ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE The Indian Round Table Conference held three sessions which are also referred to as the First, Second and Third Round Table Conferences. First Round Table Conference (November 12, 1930 to January 19, 1931): The first Round Table Conference was held in London. The Congress, which was unhappy with the report of Simon Commission boycotted the conference but other political parties and interest groups were well represented. The British realised the no use of holding a conference without the representatives of the Congress. GANDHI-IRWIN PACT This resulted in the signing of a pact by Gandhiji and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, in March 1931. This is known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The government agreed to: (i) Withdraw all ordinances and end prosecutions. (ii) Release all political prisoners, except those guilty of violence. (iii) Permit peaceful picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops. The Congress, in its turn, agreed to the following: (i) To suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement. (ii) To participate in the second session of the Round Table Conference. (iii) Not to press for investigation into police excesses. Second Round Table Conference (September 7 to December 1, 1931): It was attended by Gandhiji as per the terms of the Gandhi Irwin Pact of 1931. The conference was soon deadlocked on the minorities issue, with separate electorates being demanded now not only by Muslims but also by the Depressed Classes, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans. Third Round Table Conference (November 17, 1932 to December 24, 1932): It was attended by 46 delegates only. The Indian National Congress refused to attend the conference. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar demanded separate electorate for the Depressed Classes. Ramsay Macdonald announced an award known as the Communal Award. This award provided separate representation to the Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans and the Depressed Classes. Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed this award on the grounds that it would distingrate Indian society and started a fast in protest against it. On 25 September, 1932, the agreement known as Poona Pact was signed between Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and the Congress. The agreement provided reservation of seats for the depressed classes in the Provisional legislatures. Renewal of Civil Disobedience Movement: After the failure of the talks at the Second Session of the Round Table Conference, Gandhiji came back to India. On January 4, 1932, Gandhiji was arrested. Government resorted to repression, issued Ordinances and assumed special powers. The Congress was declared illegal. Congress leaders were arrested and their properties were seized. Communalism was fanned. Gradually the Civil Disobedience Movement lost its force. Congress called it off in 1934. Gandhiji withdrew himself from active politics for a year. IMPACT OF THE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT 1. The Government withdrew the ban on the Congress in June 1934. 2. It brought women out of their homes to participate in politics and to make them equal partners in the freedom struggle. 3. The Government of India Act, 1935, introduced the principle of a Federation and the principle of Provincial Autonomy; i.e., responsible Government in the Provinces. 4. The movement revived the will to fight the elections. DR. BHIMRAO AMBEDKAR'S CONTRIBUTION Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb was one of the architects of the Indian Constitution. He was a well-known economist, politician, social reformer and an eminent jurist. Babasaheb's efforts to remove the social evils. Bhimrao Ambedkar was born to Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai Sakpal on April 14, 1891 in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. From his childhood days, Babasaheb had to face caste discrimination. His first organised attempt to achieve this was the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha to promote education and socio-economic improvement, as well as the welfare of depressed classes. For the protection of Dalit rights he started many periodicals like Mook Nayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, and Equality Janta. Babasaheb was appointed as independent India's first Law Minister, and also the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, set up by the Assembly to write India's new Constitution. Babasaheb passed away at his home in Delhi on December 6, 1956.