Question

Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the Non- cooperation Movement in February 1922? Explain three reasons.

Answer 1

Hint: The meaning of the Non-Cooperation movement was different for different social groups like plantation workers, peasants, middle-class and tribal peasants etc. They were following a Non- cooperation movement according to their needs which were not defined by the Congress.

Complete answer: Non-cooperation movement was adopted in the congress session at Nagpur in December 1920. Various social groups participated in this movement and they had different notions of the Non-cooperation Movement.
In cities, it was started with the middle class and students who left colleges, boycott foreign goods and everything which was part of Colonial power.
In the countryside, peasants and tribals were fighting against talukdars or landlords who demanded high rent. They attacked their houses and bazaars were looted. Further, a militant guerilla movement spread in those areas. In Assam, plantation workers defied the authorities and left the plantation to go home.
In village Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur, UP, a peaceful demonstration in bazaar turned violent with police who opened fire. In retaliation, the demonstrator attacked and set fire to a police station in which 22 policemen died.
After looking at these incidents Mahatma Gandhi decided to call off the Non-cooperation movement and felt that satyagrahi needs to be properly trained before they get ready for mass struggle.

Note:Non- Cooperation movement was completely based on truth and Non- violence as described by Indian national Congress and Gandhi but people from different areas manipulated his words according to their needs.