Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

Introduction
• The Non-Cooperation Movement was the first nationwide mass movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
• It combined the Khilafat issue, protest against Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and rejection of constitutional reforms into one unified struggle.
• The goal: attainment of Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means.

Chronological Development of the Movement

February 1920
• A joint Hindu–Muslim deputation met the Viceroy to demand redress regarding Khilafat.
• Gandhi declared that the Khilafat injustice overshadowed both the Punjab wrongs and false constitutional advances.

May 1920
• Treaty of Sèvres signed—Turkey was dismembered; Khalifa reduced to a figurehead.
• This enraged Indian Muslims and strengthened the call for national agitation.

June 1920
• All-party conference at Allahabad approved a nationwide boycott programme.

August 31, 1920
• Khilafat Committee formally launched the Non-Cooperation campaign.

September 1920 (Calcutta Session)
Congress approved a detailed Non-Cooperation Programme:
1. Boycott of government schools and colleges.
2. Boycott of law courts; justice to be delivered through panchayats.
3. Boycott of legislative councils.
4. Boycott of foreign cloth; promotion of khadi; hand-spinning encouraged.
5. Renunciation of government titles and honours.
6. In the second phase:
   – Civil disobedience
   – Resignation from government service
   – No-payment of taxes (if directed)

December 1920 (Nagpur Session)
Major decisions:
• Non-cooperation endorsed fully.
• Congress creed changed—goal shifted from “self-government by constitutional means” to attainment of Swaraj by “peaceful and legitimate means.”
• Organisational restructuring:
  – CWC (Congress Working Committee) of 15 members created.
  – Provincial Congress Committees reorganised on linguistic basis.
  – Ward committees created to deepen organisational reach.
  – Membership fee reduced to 4 annas.
• Gandhi proclaimed Swaraj within one year if programme was fully implemented.
• Surendranath Banerjea disagreed and founded the Indian National Liberal Federation.

Spread of the Movement

Nationwide Tour
• Gandhi and Ali brothers toured across India popularising non-cooperation.

Educational Initiatives
• National institutions established:
  – Jamia Millia Islamia (Aligarh)
  – Kashi Vidyapeeth
  – Gujarat Vidyapeeth
  – Bihar Vidyapeeth
• Leaders: Acharya Narendra Dev, C.R. Das, Lala Lajpat Rai, Zakir Hussain, Subhash Bose (Principal, National College, Calcutta).

Regional Activities
• Bengal: No-tax movements in Midnapore; boycott of village boards.
• Andhra: No-tax agitation in Guntur.
• Assam: Strikes in tea plantations, railway and steamer services led by J.M. Sengupta.
• 1921 visit of Prince of Wales triggered widespread hartals and demonstrations.
• Mass peasant uprisings:
  – Awadh Kisan Movement
  – Eka Movement (UP)
  – Mappila Revolt (Malabar)
  – Akali Movement (Punjab) against corrupt mahants.

People’s Response
• Middle classes initially enthusiastic; later showed reservations, especially about boycotting legislative councils and government jobs.
• Business classes supported boycott of foreign cloth—boosted Indian industries.
• Massive participation of peasants and students.
• Women joined in large numbers—abandoned purdah; donated ornaments to Tilak Swaraj Fund.
• A remarkable degree of Hindu–Muslim unity maintained, despite local disturbances like Moplah Revolt.

Government Response
• Talks between Gandhi and Viceroy Reading failed in May 1921.
• Government attempted to divide Congress and Khilafat leadership.
• Repression increased, but nationwide unrest grew.

Last Phase of the Movement

Gandhi under Pressure
• Congress rank and file wanted early civil disobedience.
• Ahmedabad Session (1921): Gandhi granted authority to decide on launching civil disobedience.

February 1, 1922
• Gandhi issued ultimatum:
  – Release political prisoners.
  – Remove press restrictions.
• Threatened civil disobedience starting from Bardoli.

Chauri Chaura Incident (February 5, 1922)
Location: Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur (UP)
Sequence:
• Congress–Khilafat volunteers organised village-level mobilisation.
• Police fired on peaceful demonstrators.
• Enraged crowd set fire to the police station; 22 policemen died.

Impact:
• Gandhi insisted on absolute non-violence.
• Movement withdrawn on February 12, 1922.
• Bardoli CWC resolution redirected workers toward constructive programmes.

Aftermath
• Gandhi arrested in March 1922; sentenced to six years.
• Delivered historic speech asserting civil disobedience as a duty.

Causes of Failure of Non-Cooperation Movement
1. No readiness of Government for negotiations.
2. Khilafat issue lost relevance:
   – 1922: Mustafa Kemal Pasha abolished Sultan’s political authority.
   – 1924: Khilafat abolished in Turkey.
3. Limited participation of elite cities (Bombay, Calcutta, Madras).
4. Few resignations from government services; titles renounced but high officials stayed.
5. Masses lacked full understanding of non-violence.
6. Chauri Chaura incident undermined moral basis of the movement.

Chauri Chaura Incident 
• 4 February 1922: Protesters led by Bhagwan Ahir clashed with police.
• Police opened fire.
• Protesters burnt down the police station—22 policemen and 3 civilians died.
• Gandhi withdrew the movement, causing disappointment among youth.
• Led to rise of revolutionary nationalism—Bhagat Singh, Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Jatin Das, etc.

Key Personalities Associated with Non-Cooperation
• Mahatma Gandhi—architect of the movement.
• C.R. Das—moved main resolution at Nagpur; led Bengal activities.
• Subhash Chandra Bose—resigned from civil service; Principal of National College.
• Jawaharlal Nehru—supported Kisan Sabhas; opposed withdrawal of movement.
• Ali Brothers—declared service in British Army unlawful for Muslims.
• Motilal Nehru—renounced legal practice.
• Lala Lajpat Rai—initially hesitant; later opposed withdrawal.
• Sardar Patel—expanded movement in Gujarat.

Conclusion
• Though the Non-Cooperation Movement did not achieve Swaraj, it transformed Indian nationalism.
• It introduced:
  – Mass mobilisation
  – Hindu–Muslim unity
  – Boycott and swadeshi strategies
• It prepared India for future movements like Civil Disobedience and Quit India.

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Subject: Modern History

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