Civil

Disobedience
Movement Civil Disobedience
Movement
Civil Disobedience Movement

Civil Disobedience Movement And Round Table Conferences

● The Civil disobedience movement (CDM) was the mass
movement launched by the congress after a gap of 8
years. There were several factors that prepared the
ground for the CDM, starting from withdrawal of NCM
to non-acceptance of Nehru report by British
government.
 Civil Disobedience Movement
Run up to Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

Calcutta session of ● Nehru Report was approved by the Congress,

congress (December but the younger elements led by Jawaharlal
1928, presided by Nehru, Subhash Bose, and Satyamurthy
Motilal Nehru) demanded that the Congress set the goal of
Purna swaraj, or complete independence.
● One year given to government to agree else
CDM.
 Civil Disobedience Movement
Run up to Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

Political Activity during ● Gandhi toured India; CWC organized Foreign

1929 Cloth Boycott Committee.
● Other developments: Meerut Conspiracy Case
(March); Bomb explosion in Central Legislative
Assembly by Bhagat Singh and BK Dutt (April);
Minority Labour govt by MacDonald (May) and
Wedgewood Benn became Secretary of State for
India.
 Civil Disobedience Movement
Run up to Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

Irwinʼs declaration ● Joint effort by the Labour government and a

(October 31, 1929) Conservative viceroy.
● The declaration's goal was to "restore faith in
the ultimate goal of British policy."
● Irwin's promised dominion status would be
unavailable for a long time.
● Promised RTC after the Simon Commission
submitted its report.
 Civil Disobedience Movement
Run up to Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

Delhi Manifesto (Nov 2nd ● RTC purpose should be not to determine

1929)- Conditions for whether or when dominion status was to be
attending RTC reached but to formulate a constitution for
implementation of dominion status.
● Congress to have majority representation at
RTC
● General amnesty for political prisoners and a
policy of reconciliation.
● Irwin rejected the demands.
 Civil Disobedience Movement
Run up to Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

Lahore Congress ● Boycott Round Table Conference(RTC)

Session (Dec 1929, ● Complete independence as aim.
presided by Jawaharlal ● CWC authorized to launch CDM including
Nehru) non-payment of taxes
● All members of legislature asked to resign.
● January 26, 1930, was designated as the first
Independence (Poorna Swarajya) Day.
 Civil Disobedience Movement
Run up to Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

Gandhiʼs Eleven Points ● Reduce expenditure on army and civil services

(January 1930)and gave by 50%
him ultimatum of 31st ● Introduce total prohibition of intoxicants.
January to accept the ● Reform CID (Criminal Investigation department)
demands. ● Change Arms Act allowing popular control of
issues of firearms licenses.
● Release political prisoners.
 Civil Disobedience Movement
Run up to Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

Gandhiʼs Eleven Points ● Accept Postal Reservation Bill.

(January 1930)and gave ● Change in ratio between sterling & rupee
him ultimate of 31st ● To impose import duty on foreign clothes.
January to accept the ● The reservation of coastal shipping for Indians.
demands. ● Reduce land revenue by 50%
● Abolish salt tax and governmentʼs salt monopoly
CDM- the Salt Satyagraha and other upsurges

● Dandi March (March 12- April 6, 1930): Gandhi

informed viceroy of his plan of action. Subhas Chandra
Bose had compared the salt march to Napoleonʼs
March from Elba to Paris.
● Gandhi and his 78 followers of Sabarmati Ashram
were to march from his Headquarter in Ahmedabad
through villages of Gujarat for 240 miles to Dandi.
Gandhi’s instructions to his followers

● Wherever possible civil disobedience of the salt law

should be started.
● Foreign liquor and cloth shops can be picketed.
● We can refuse to pay taxes if we have requisite strength.
● Lawyers can give up practice.
● Public can boycott law courts by refraining from
litigation.
● Government servants can resign.
Gandhi’s instructions to his followers

● Obey local leaders after Gandhiʼs arrest.

○ Spread of Salt Law Disobedience: Gandhiʼs arrest came on May
4, 1930 when he had announced that he would lead a raid on
Dharasana Salt works on the west coast.
○ After Gandhiʼs arrest the CWC sanctioned three significant
measures:
■ Non-payment of revenue in ryotwari areas;
■ No chowkidari tax campaign in zamindari areas and
■ Violation of forest laws in Central Provinces.
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Tamil Nadu ● C. Rajagopalachari organized a salt march from

Tiruchirapalli to Vedaranniyam on the Tanjore coast in
April 1930 to defy the salt law.

Kerala ● Salt march were organized by K. Kelappan,A.Nair

Congress leader from Calicut to Payyanur on the
Malabar coast.(K.Kelappan best known for the Vaikom
Satyagraha).
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Orissa ● Salt march was successful in the coastal

districts of Orissa(Balasore, Cuttack, and Puri)
from Cuttack to Inchudi in Balasore
sea-coast under Gandhian leader
Gopalbandhu Chaudhuri.

Gopalbandhu Chaudhuri
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Assam ● Satyagrahis walked from Sylhet to Noakhali (Bengal) to

make salt.
● In May 1930, however, a successful student strike against
the Cunningham Circular, which prohibited student
political participation; Chandraprabha Saikiani incited
the aboriginal Kachari villages to break forest laws which
was denied by Assam congress leadership.
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Peshawar ● Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as

Badshah Khan and Frontier Gandhi, founded the
first Pushto political monthly Pukhtoon and
organized a volunteer brigade
Khuda-i-Khidmadgar,also known as the
'Red-Shirts,' who followed nonviolence. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Dharsana ● Sarojini Naidu, Imam Sahib, and Manilal (Gandhi's

son) resumed the unfinished business of leading a Sarojini Naidu
raid on the Dharasana Salt Works on May 21, 1930.
● People in Wadala (Bombay), Karnataka
(Sanikatta Salt Works), Andhra Pradesh,
Midnapore, Balasore, Puri, and Cuttack
enthusiastically embraced this new form of salt
satyagraha.
Manilal (Gandhi's son)
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Maharasht ● Forest Satyagraha-In these areas, forest laws such as grazing and timber
ra and restrictions were flouted, as was public sale of illegally obtained forest
Karnataka produce.

Gujarat ● No-tax movement in the shape of refusal of land revenue also surfaced in
Kheda,Bardoli taluka of Surat district, and Jambusar in Broach of Gujrat.
● It saw remarkable exodus of thousands of people, with family, cattle and
household goods, from British India into the neighbouring princely states
such as Baroda where they camped for months together in the open fields.
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Bihar ● No Chowkidari tax. The chowkidars as village guards, were

paid out of the tax levied specially on the villages.
● The popular antipathy for chowkidars had continued as they
were often perceived as spies acting in favour of the
Government and also as retainers for the local landlords

United ● United Province- A no-revenue campaign was launched, with

Province zamindars encouraged to refuse to pay revenue to the
government.
 Gandhi’s instructions to his followers
Satyagraha at Different Places

Andhra ● A number of Sibirams (camps) came up in different districts

as headquarters of salt Satyagraha.

Manipur and ● Rani Gaidinliu, a Naga spiritual leader who followed her
Nagaland cousin Haipou Jadonang, born in what is now the state of
Manipur, raised the banner of revolt against foreign rule at the
age of thirteen.
Government Response

● July 1930: Irwin suggested RTC, reiterated dominion goal, accepted Sapru
and Jayakar suggestion to explore possibility of peace between Congress and
government.
● Aug 1930: Motilal and Jawaharlal Nehru were taken to meet Gandhi in
Yerwada Jail and discuss settlement. They reiterated 3 demands:
○ Right of secession from Britain.
○ Complete national government with control over defence and finance
○ Independent tribunal to settle Britainʼs financial claims.But, nothing
came of the talks.
First Round Table Conference-
● November 1930- RTC 1
○ First Round Table conference at London.
○ It was first ever conducted between the British and Indians as equals.
○ Congress was not part of it. Government realized without
Congress,discussions on constitutional reforms were meaningless.
● 25 January 1931- The Viceroy announced the unconditional release of Gandhiji
and all the other members of the Congress Working Committee(CWC).
● The Congress Working Committee(CWC) authorized Gandhiji to initiate
discussions with the Viceroy. The fortnight-long discussions culminated on 5
March 1931 in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
 Gandhi-Irwin Pact/ Delhi Pact- (1931)
Gandhi-Irwin Pact/ Delhi Pact (1931)

Irwin agreed for ● Immediate release of political prisoners not

convicted of violence.
● Remission of all fines not yet collected.
● Return all lands not yet sold to 3rd parties
● Lenient treatment to those government servants
who resigned.
 Gandhi-Irwin Pact/ Delhi Pact (1931)
Gandhi-Irwin Pact/ Delhi Pact (1931)

Irwin agreed for ● Right to make salt in coastal villages for personal
consumption (not sale)
● Right to peaceful and non-aggressive picketing
● Withdraw emergency ordinances.
 Gandhi-Irwin Pact/ Delhi Pact (1931)
Gandhi-Irwin Pact/ Delhi Pact (1931)

Irwin rejected ● Public inquiry into public excesses.

● Commutation of Bhagat Singh and his comradesʼ
to life sentence

Gandhi agreed ● Suspend CDM

● Participate in next RTC
Karachi Congress Session (March 1931)

Karachi Congress Session (March 1931)

● Vallabhai Patel as president of INC.
● The Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha met Gandhi on his way to Karachi with
black flag.
● Dissociated from political violence but admired “bravery” and “sacrifice” of 3
martyrs.
● To endorse the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
● Reiterated goal of Purna Swaraj.
Karachi Congress Session (March 1931)

Karachi Congress Session (March 1931)

● 1st time defined “What Swaraj means to people”.
● The draft of the Karachi session was prepared by Jawaharlal Nehru, which
shows the influence of Socialist ideas over Congress.
Karachi Congress Session (March 1931)

● Resolution on Fundamental Rights-

○ Free speech and free speech;
○ Freedom of Press.
○ Right to form associations;
○ Right to assemble;
○ Universal Adult Franchise;
○ Equal rights irrespective of caste, creed, sex;
○ Neutrality of state in religious matters;
Karachi Congress Session (March 1931)

● Resolution on Fundamental Rights-

○ Free and compulsory primary education;
○ Protect Rights of Minorities- Culture, language, script.
○ Resolution on National Economic Policy:
○ Substantial reduction in rent and revenue in case of landholders.
○ Exemption from rent for uneconomic holdings.
○ Control of Usury.
○ Right to workers and peasants to form Unions.
Second Round Table Conference (Sep 7-Dec 1931)

● Conference convened in London.

● Members of the Indian Liberal Party such as TB Sapru,
CY Chintamani
CY Chintamani and Srinivasa Sastri appealed to
Gandhi to talk with the viceroy.
● The conference's main task was accomplished through
the two committees on federal structure and minorities.
● INC nominated Gandhi as its sole representative. A Rangaswami Iyengar

Rangaswami Iyengar and MM Malaviya were also

there.
MM Malaviya
Second Round Table Conference (Sep 7-Dec 1931)

● Apart from the Congress, there were a large number of

Indian participants. The princely states, Muslims, Hindu
groups, Liberals, Justice Party, Sikhs, Parsis, and Indian
Christians.
● Gandhi demanded the immediate establishment of a
responsible government at the national and provincial
levels; rejected the idea of a separate electorate for
untouchables; separate electorates or special safeguards for
Muslims or other minorities were unnecessary.
Second Round Table Conference (Sep 7-Dec 1931)

● Separate electorates were demanded by Muslims, the

poor, Christians, and Anglo-Indians leading to the
'Minorities' Pact.'
● Gandhiji came out of the conference,as communal
interests were dominating National interests.
● In India, Irwin was replaced by Willingdon as the Viceroy.
● Gandhiji came back on 28th December 1931 to a changed
political situation.
Second phase of Civil Disobedience movement-1932-34

● The Congress Working Committee met the 29th December and

decided to resume civil disobedience.
● On the 31st December , Gandhiji asked the Viceroy for a meeting,
offering to suspend the decision on civil disobedience till such a
meeting. The Viceroy refused to see Gandhiji.
● On 4 January 1932, the Government launched its preemptive
strike against the national movement by arresting Gandhiji,
promulgating ordinances which gave the authorities unlimited
power.
Second phase of Civil Disobedience movement-1932-34

● The non-violent movement was met by relentless

repression. The Congress and its allied organizations
were declared illegal and their offices and funds seized.
● Gandhiji temporarily suspended the Movement in May
1933.
● The movement continued to linger till early April 1934 when
the inevitable decision to withdraw it was taken by Gandhiji.
Communal Award (August 16, 1932)

● British PM Ramsay MacDonald announced; also known as

the 'McDonald Awardʼ.
● Based on the findings of the Indian Franchise Committee
(also known as the Lothian Committee), it established
separate electorates and reserved seats for minorities,
Ramsay MacDonald
including the depressed classes, who were granted 78
reserved seats.
Communal Award (August 16, 1932)

● Thus, for some seats in Bombay, this award provided

separate electorates for Muslims, Europeans, Sikhs, Indian
Christians, Anglo-Indians, depressed classes, and even
Marathas.
● Provisions: In provincial legislatures, seats were to be
distributed on communal basis ; existing seats of provincial
legislatures were to be doubled Muslims wherever minority
granted weightage ;
Communal Award (August 16, 1932)

● Except in NWFP, 3% seats reserved for women in all provinces

; depressed classes to be accorded status of minority ; Allocation
of seats were to be made for labourers, landlords, traders and
industrialists.
● Response : Congress decided neither to accept it nor to reject
it, Gandhiji saw the Communal Award as an attack on Indian
unity and nationalism, Ambedkar supported the Communal
Award.
 Poona Pact (Sep 24, 1932)

● Signed at the Yerwada Central Jail in Pune by Dr.

Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.(M.M.Malviya
signed the pact on behalf of Gandhiji)
● Highlighted by the government as an amendment to the
Communal Award.
● Abandoned separate electorates for depressed classes.
Yerwada Central Jail in Pune
● Seats reserved for the Depressed class were increased
from 71 to 147 in provincial legislatures and to 18% of the
total in the Central Legislature.
Poona Pact (Sep 24, 1932)

● Nobody would be discriminated against on the basis of caste on

matters regarding election to the local bodies or in public
services appointments.
● A certain sum of money from the educational grant would be
allotted for the education of the Depressed Classes in all provinces.
Third Round Table Conference (Nov 17-Dec 24, 1932)

● A Joint Select Committee was formed to examine the recommendations

and drafted a new Act for India, and the committee produced a draft Bill
in February 1935, which became the Government of India Act of 1935.
● During this conference, a college student named Chaudhary Rahmat
Ali(coined the word “PAKISTAN”) proposed the name of the the
inclusion of a Bill of Rights for citizens was postponed for flimsy reasons.
● The inclusion of a Bill of Rights for citizens was postponed for flimsy
reasons.
Third Round Table Conference (Nov 17-Dec 24, 1932)

● INC and Gandhi did not attend the third Round Table
Conference and neither did many Indian leaders.
● Delegates were sent by the Indian states. Aga Khan
III, B.R. Ambedkar, Muhammad Iqbal, Begum
Jahanara Shahnawaz, and Sir Purshottamdas
Thakurdas were among the other Indian
Third Round Table Conference
representatives.
● In March 1933, the recommendations were published in
a White Paper and debated in the British Parliament.
Outcome of Third RTC

● After the Third RTC, The British Government prepared a White Paper on
the new constitution of India.
● This paper published in March 1933 contained 4 major proposal.
○ Federation.
○ Provincial Autonomy.
○ Dyarchy at the centre and
○ Safeguards which vested special powers in the central and
provincial executive.
● This will eventually go on to become the Government of India Act,1935.
Note-

● Mahatma Gandhi attended only the Second Round Table Conference.

● “All three” Round table conferences were attended by
○ Dr B.R.Ambedkar (Representing Depressed Class),
○ Tej Bahadur Sapru (Representing Liberals),
○ M. R. Jayakar (Representing Hindu Mahasabha),
○ N. M. Joshi (Representing Labour Class),
○ C. N. Mudaliar (Representing Justice Party),
○ Begum Jahan Ara Shahnawaz (Representing Women)
(She was daughter of Mian Sir Muhammad Shafi leader of Muslim League)
Gandhi’s Harijan Campaign 1932 onwards

● Established the All India Anti-Untouchability League in

September 1932 at Poona,which was later renamed as G.D.Birla
Harijan Sevak Sangh and the weekly Harijan in January
1933.
○ President - G.D.Birla.
○ Secretary- Amritlal Thakkar.
● After his release, he moved to the Satyagraha Ashram in
Wardha, vowing not to return to the Sabarmati Ashram until
Amritlal Thakkar
swaraj was won.
Gandhi’s Harijan Campaign 1932 onwards

● Beginning in Wardha, he conducted a Harijan tour from

November 1933 to July 1934 covering 20,000 km while
collecting funds for his newly formed Harijan Sevak Sangh.
● Gandhi was attacked by orthodox and reactionary elements
throughout his campaign. June 1934, at Poona, a bomb was
thrown on a car believed to be carrying Gandhiji, injuring its
seven occupants.
 Extent of Mass Participation in Civil Disobedience movement
Extent of Mass Participation

Women ● Gandhi had specifically requested that women take the

lead in the movement. They quickly became a familiar
sight, picketing outside liquor stores, opium dens,
and shops selling foreign cloth.

Students ● Along with women, students and youth played a

significant role in the boycott of foreign clothing and
liquor.
 Extent of Mass Participation in Civil Disobedience movement
Extent of Mass Participation

Muslims ● Some areas, such as the NWFP, saw a high level of

participation. Middle class Muslim participation was
high in Senhatta, Tripura, Gaibandha, Bagura, and
Noakhali(East Bengal).

Merchants ● Traders' associations and commercial bodies were

and petty active in carrying out the boycott, particularly in Tamil
traders Nadu and Punjab.
 Extent of Mass Participation in Civil Disobedience movement
Extent of Mass Participation

Tribals ● Tribals were active participants in the Central

Provinces, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Workers ● Workers from Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and

Sholapur took part.

Peasants ● Peasants were active in the United Provinces, Bihar,

and Gujarat.
Decline of CDM

● The second CDM did not evoke a similar response from the people as
the earliest phase had done and was also given a heavy blow by
government repression.
● With the weakening of the movement, there emerged voiced within
the congress advocating a return to council entry and revival of
swarajist party. In 1933, Satyamurthy founded the Madras Swaraj Party.
● Several big Indian Business groups also began to collaborate with the
British.
Decline of CDM
● In this context, Gandhi in jail now, began to think in terms of truce and
compromise. In May 1933, he temporarily suspended the movement
and formally withdrew it in April 1934.
● Once again he advised the nationalists to direct their energies towards
constructive work. Thus, another heroic struggle of people of India had
come to an end without achieving its immediate goal. Subhash
Chandra Bose declared that “The Mahatma as a political leaders had
failed”.
● The prisoners were released from Jail in 1934.