Non-Cooperation Movement: Cause, Significance, & Its Impact [UPSC Notes]

Non Cooperation Movement & Khilafat Movement

Intro: The Non Cooperation movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, was a significant phase in the Indian struggle for independence. Aimed at securing Swaraj or self-rule, it called for Indians to not give support for British institutions, boycott foreign goods, and adopt self-reliance. This mass protest against the British rule marked a new strategy of non-violent resistance, mobilizing millions across the country, and laying the groundwork for future civil disobedience campaigns. So lets start the with background.

India During Non Cooperation Movement

The period from 1920-21, in the context of the Indian national movement, is known for mass politics and mass mobilization. Gandhi emerged in the national movement with his idea of Satyagraha, which he had successfully experimented with in South Africa.

During this period, two significant movements emerged: the Khilafat (Caliphate) movement and the non-cooperation movement. The Khilafat movement aimed to restore the Ottoman Caliphate after World War 1, whereas the non-cooperation movement aimed to achieve independence by refusing cooperation with British. Though they had different objectives, both were anti-imperialist and adopted a common action program.

The Non-Cooperation Movement

The Beginning

• In the historic Calcutta special session of 1920, the Congress adopted a programme of giving up titles, a boycott of courts, Councils, and schools along with the boycott of foreign goods (There were some disagreements regarding the boycott of the councils, especially by C R Das)
• In parallel, plans for constructive works were also adopted, like the construction of national schools, resolving matters in Panchayats instead of courts and adopting Khadi.
• Nagpur session of the Congress, December 1920
  1. Veteran Congress leader C R Das lent his support to the movement.
  2. Now, the Congress agreed to attain Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate extra-constitutional mass struggle.
  3. Gandhi claimed that if the path of non-cooperation is followed completely, Swaraj can be achieved within a year.
• Many revolutionary leaders, especially from Bengal, also pledged their support for the movement.
• At this juncture, several leaders like Annie Besant, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and B C Pal parted ways with the Congress as they believed in a constitutional struggle.Source: researchgate.net