The advent of Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian political scene gave a new impetus to the freedom struggle. With reference to the Non-Cooperation Movement under Mahatma Gandhi, answer the following questions :

(a) What were the causes which led to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

(b) Describe the programme of the movement.

(c) State the importance of the movement and the reasons for its withdrawal.

(a) The causes which led to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement are given below:

1. The Rowlatt Act, 1919 — The British Government passed the Rowlatt Act in March, 1919. It gave powers to the Government to arrest and to detain suspected persons and to search them without a warrant and to imprison them without a trial. Any person under this Act had no right to Appeal, Vakil and Dalil.
2. The Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy, 1919 — A peaceful meeting was held at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 13, 1919 to protest against the arrest of principal leaders of the Congress, Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew. General Dyer reached there and ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed people. Firing continued till all the ammunition was exhausted. About 1,000 persons were shot dead and several thousands were wounded. They could not escape because there was only one narrow exit to the Bagh. It was followed by a series of humiliating orders. Curfew was imposed in the city. The water and electricity supply were cut off. People were flogged and put in jails. People were made to crawl in lanes. Arrested persons were confined in cages, property was confiscated or destroyed.

(b) The programme of the movement included the following:

1. Popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi by reviving hand spinning and hand weaving.
2. Hindu-Muslim unity.
3. Removal of untouchability.
4. Prohibition of intoxicating drinks.
5. Establishment of National Schools and Colleges.
6. Emancipation and upliftment of women.
7. Degrees, titles, awards and honours bestowed by the British government were returned.

(c) The Non-Cooperation Movements had its own importance in the history of the Freedom Movement of India.

1. Inspiring the People with New Confidence : The people showed a remarkable degree of courageousness, fearlessness and strength to face any difficulty for the freedom of their country.
2. The Indian National Congress Became a Mass Organisation : The movement transformed the Indian National Congress into an organisation for action. It became the organiser and leader of the masses in their national struggle.
3. Hindu-Muslim Unity : The amalgamation of the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement led to such Hindu-Muslim unity as was not witnessed before.
4. The Notion that the British Rule was for the Good of the Indians was shattered.
5. It Promoted Many Social Reforms : As a result of the Non-Cooperation Movement-
   1. many national schools and colleges were founded.
   2. boycott of the foreign goods led to the promotion of Indian industries and crafts.
   3. Khadi became the symbol of the National Movement.
   4. prohibition and removal of untouchability.
6. The Cult of Swaraj Became More Pronounced : Swaraj or self-rule was one of the aims of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
7. Instilled Confidence Among the People : A new sense of self-confidence and self-esteem was born to openly defy the foreign rulers and the British government. It generated a desire for freedom and inspired people to challenge the colonial rule.

Reasons for the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement — About 3,000 peasants organised a procession at Chauri Chaura, a village in the Gorakhpur district of UP. The police opened fire on this procession. The angry crowd attacked and burnt the police station, killing 22 policemen. This incident, which took place on February 4, 1922, shocked Gandhiji so much that he at once suspended the movement. Gandhiji could hardly tolerate that his followers should indulge in violence.