Question

Describe the causes and events of the 'Non Co-operation Movement'.

Answer 1

1. Causes: The Non-Cooperation Movement was started for three main reasons.
   1. Rowlatt Act: This Act granted the government broad authority to suppress political activity and permitted the two-year detention of political prisoners without charge.
   2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The renowned Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on April 13, 1919. A sizable crowd gathered that day in Jallianwala Bagh's walled-off grounds. General Dyer fired on the tranquil crowd without giving any prior notice. There were hundreds of fatalities and numerous injuries.
   3. Khilafat Issue: After Ottoman Turkey was defeated at the end of World War One, there were rumours that the Ottoman Emperor (the Khalifa) would be forced to sign a harsh peace treaty. The Khilafat Movement was started by the Ali brothers, Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, to restore the Caliphate. Gandhiji saw this as a chance to unite Muslims under a single movement banner.
2. Events: Gandhiji started the non-cooperation movement, which included the following events:
   1. In September 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement.
   2. It aimed to achieve Swaraj and stand up for Punjab's and Turkey's wrongs.
   3. The educated middle class dominated the anti-cooperation movement in towns and cities. There was a boycott of courts, universities, and other governmental organisations.
   4. All provinces avoided participating in elections, except Madras, where the Justice Party of Non-Brahmins debated.
   5. Baba Ramchandra organised a peasant uprising against Talukdars and Landlords in the nearby villages.
   6. Under the direction of Alluri Sitaram Raju, tribal members opened fire in the Gudem hills of Andhra Pradesh.
   7. Plantation workers from Assam began to fight for the right to mobility.
   8. The Chauri Chaura incident took place on February 5, 1922, in the Chauri Chaur neighbourhood of the Gorakhpur district of the United Provinces in British India. During a clash between the police and movement protesters, a violent mob set fire to a police station, killing 22 officers. In response to this event, Gandhiji decided to end the movement.