Gandhiji conceived the idea of canalising the powerful currents of this united mass movement so as to give the utmost impetus to the national struggle for independence. This took shape in the non-violent non-co-operation movement mentioned above. It was first adopted, though not without opposition, in the special session of the Congress held in Calcutta in September, 1920, and was reaffirmed, almost unanimously, at the annual session at Nagpur in December, 1920.
The movement evoked a hearty response throughout the country. Nearly two-thirds of the voters abstained from taking part in the election to the Councils held in November, 1920, and a large number of students came out of schools and colleges. The lawyers who gave up their practices included such distinguished persons as Desabandhu C. R. Das and Pandit Motilal Nehru. An important feature of the movement was the burning of English cloths on bonfires, and a spirit of civil disobedience and passive resistance against the Government was visible everywhere. As there were nearly 30,000 political prisoners, the jail lost its terror, and imprisonment became a badge of honour. The British Government brought the Prince of Wales to India in the vain hope of rousing the traditional feeling of loyalty among the masses. But a hartal was observed all over India on the day (I7th November, 1921) the Prince landed in Bombay, and he had to pass for the most part through deserted streets when he visited the provincial capitals of India.
The year 1921 was thus a memorable landmark in the history of India’s struggle for freedom. The Congress, in its annual session at Ahmadabad (December,1921) not only expressed its determination to continue the programme of non-violent non-co-operation with greater vigour but took steps to organize civil disobedience.
Mahatma Gandhi was appointed by the Congress the sole executive authority to lead the national movement. The popular enthusiasm rose to fever heat and there was an eager expectation of a mass movement on a big scale. Gandhiji, however, decided to confine it at first at Bardoli, a small district of 87,000 people. But even this was suspended on account of an outbreak of mob violence at Chauri Chaura (a small village near Gorakhpur in the (U.P.) in the course of which a police station was burnt and twenty-two policemen killed. Gadhiji’s decision was received with feelings of dismay all over the country, but was endorsed by the Congress Working Committee on 12th February, 1922. In consequence some activities of the national movement had to be suspended for several years.
A new policy was adopted by a section of the Congress under the leadership of C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru. They organized the Swarajya party and contested the next elections to the Council with a view to wrecking the reforms from within by “uniform, consistent and continuous obstruction”. But in spite of some success the policy failed in its main objective.
