What was the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), its causes, and why was it suspended after Chauri Chaura?

Direct Answer

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) was the first mass national struggle launched under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress (formalized at the Nagpur Congress Session in December 1920). Its core objective was to attain Swaraj (Self-rule) through disciplined non-violent civil resistance (*Satyagraha*) and refusal to cooperate with British colonial institutions.

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Background Causes of the Movement

1. Rowlatt Act (1919) - 'Black Act': Authorized the colonial government to imprison any person suspected of terrorist activities without trial or right of legal appeal for up to two years.

2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919): General Reginald Dyer opened unprovoked fire on thousands of unarmed peaceful citizens gathered in Amritsar, killing hundreds.

3. Khilafat Issue: Indian Muslims were deeply angered by the British mistreatment of the Ottoman Caliph (Sultan of Turkey) after World War I. Gandhi united the Khilafat and nationalist causes to forge Hindu-Muslim unity.

4. Post-War Economic Distress: Soaring food grain prices, excessive war taxation, and epidemic outbreaks left ordinary Indians devastated.

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Constructive & Boycott Programs

• Boycott of Foreign Goods: Huge bonfires of foreign imported cloth; promotion of hand-spun Indian *Khadi* and Charkha.
• Surrender of Titles & Honors: Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood, and Mahatma Gandhi returned his *Kaisar-i-Hind* gold medal.
• Boycott of Educational Institutions: Over 90,000 students left British government schools; national universities like Jamia Millia Islamia, Kashi Vidyapeeth, and Gujarat Vidyapith were established.
• Boycott of Law Courts: Leading lawyers like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, and Sardar Patel gave up lucrative legal practices.
• Picketing of Liquor Shops: Anti-liquor picketing crippled government excise revenues.

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Why was the Movement Suspended? (The Chauri Chaura Incident)

On February 4, 1922, at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh, a peaceful procession of peasants clashed with police who opened fire. Enraged protestors chased the policemen into the local police station and set it ablaze, burning 22 policemen alive.

• Gandhi's Reaction: Deeply distressed that the movement was deviating into violence, Gandhi declared that Indians were not yet spiritually trained in the rigorous discipline of non-violent *Ahimsa*.
• Suspension: Overruling strong objections from younger Congress leaders (Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose), Gandhi passed the Bardoli Resolution on February 12, 1922, officially calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement.