Do you think non- cooperation was a national movement? Explain with proper reasons.
Answers
Following are three important causes of the Non-cooperation Movement:
Khilafat Movement - The treatment meted out by the British government to the Caliph of Turkey disturbed the Indian Muslims as he was seen as their religious head. As a result, they started the Khilafat Movement under the leadership of the Ali brothers, Maulana Azad, Hasrat Mohani, etc. Gandhiji saw this as an opportunity to achieve the much desired Hindu-Muslim unity and made efforts to make common cause with the Khilafat leaders. He was elected as the President of the All-India Khilafat Conference in 1919 and advised the Khilafat Committee to adopt a policy of non-cooperation with the British government. The Khilafat leaders agreed and campaigned accordingly. Thus, the Khilafat Movement furthered the cause of the Non-cooperation Movement.
Rowlatt Act - The Rowlatt Act of 1919 authorised the British government to arrest and imprison any person without trial and convict him in a court. The authorities could arrest an Indian without a warrant and could conduct his trial in seclusion. Also, the Act implied severe restrictions on movements of individuals and suspension of the Right of Habeas Corpus. This was seen as a major breach of trust by Indians who were expecting the British to deliver on their promise of providing self-government. Gandhiji appealed to the Viceroy to withhold his consent to the Act but his plea fell on deaf ears.
Jalianwala Bagh Tragedy - The Jalianwala Bagh massacre and the subsequent British reaction to it was a watershed event in the Indian freedom struggle. It led to a huge furor all over the country and hardened the Congress resolve to attain self government.