Question

The period between 1920 to 1947 was marked with major events and reforms that finally led us to our independence. In this context, answer the following question.
State three provisions of the Gandhi- Irwin Pact as a result of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Answer 1

Hint: A political agreement by Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the then British Viceroy of India, signed on 5th March 1931 is known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also called The Delhi Pact. The civil disobedience movement that was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, in later times, paved the way for Gandhi-Irwin Pact based on the negotiations held in between them.

Complete answer: During 1930, Gandhi and his followers initiated the Salt March against British which resulted in the arrest and imprisonment of Gandhi and his followers. Since the movement gained worldwide publicity, Lord Irwin wanted to put an end to it. Gandhi was released from imprisonment in January 1931, and terms of the pact were negotiated. At last, Irwin agreed to release those who had been imprisoned during the civil disobedience and to allow Indians to make salt for domestic use whereas Gandhi agreed to give up the satyagraha campaign.
Some major provisions of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact are:
- The Indian National Congress (INC) agreed to participate in the Round Table Conference.
- The INC agreed that they will stop the civil disobedience movement.
- Withdrawal of all ordinances that restricted the activities of the Congress.
- Withdrawal of all prosecutions other than those involving violent crimes.
- Release of those who were arrested for becoming a part of the civil disobedience movement.
- Removing the salt tax.

Note: After the Delhi Pact, The Indian National Congress took part in the Second Round Table Conference in 1931. The government agreed to follow sympathetic treatment towards all government servants who had resigned from service in the times of the civil disobedience movement.