Question

Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement withdrawn? How did this decision lead to the formation of the Swaraj Party?

Answer 1

A tragedy of Chauri Chaura, a village in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh occured in February 5, 1922. A procession of about 3000 peasants marched to the police station to protest against the police officer who had beaten some volunteers picketing a liquor shop. The police fired upon the peasants. This infuriated the demonstrators and they set the nearby police station on fire, killing 22 policemen who were inside the station.
Gandhiji a firm believer of ‘Ahimsa,’ was greatly shocked at this incident and he withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement on Feb. 12, 1922.
The withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement demoralised the congress party. Some of the leaders like C. R. Das and Moti Lai Nehru suggested that they should end the boycott of the Legislative Councils. On the contrary, they should enter them and obstruct every work of the Council. They held the view that it would not be giving up Non-Cooperation but continuing it in a more effective form. In 1923, C. R. Das, the President of Congress and Moti Lai Nehru, its secretary resigned from their offices. They formed the Congress Khilafat Swaraj Party, popularly known as Swaraj Party.