Question

Give reasons why Dalits and Muslims did not support the civil disobedience movement

Answer 1

Initially, Congress had ignored the dalits for fear of offending the sanatanis, the conservative high-caste Hindus.

. But Mahatma Gandhi believed that swaraj would not come even after a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated.

. He called them ‘Harijans’ and he himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of sweepers.

. But many dalit leaders demanded reserved seats in educational institutions and a separate electorate.

. So dalit participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement was limited.

Answer 2

Dakota and Muslims didnot support the civil disobedience movement because:-

i) after non-cooperation movement, Congress seemed to work only for Hindus and Muslims felt alienated. So, Muslims remained lukewarm in civil disobedience movement.

ii) Dalits wanted reserved seats in the educational institutions and separate electoral and but Gandhiji fearing that it would create inequality in the country, dismissed their want.

iii) Thus, the two communities remained lukewarm.