Role of Gandhiji Non – cooperation Movement:

Even during his stay in South Africa, Gandhiji had started taking interest in the issue of Hindu – Muslim unity in India. According to him, Lucknow Pact had not become a strong foundation of Hindu – Muslim unity. For Gandhiji, the Khilafat Movement was a unique opportunity to forge Hindu-Muslim unity. In Nov. 1919, Gandhiji was elected the president of the khilafat conference.

Gandhiji declared that if the Great Britain does not provide justice to Turkey, the boycott and non – cooperation movement will be started. But the cooperation of the Congress was essential for it. So, at the Calcutta session of the Congress in 1920, a new plan for non – cooperation movement was devised. The year 1921 brought with it the non – cooperation movement with a renewed zeal. Its message was the boycott of all the political, social and economic institutions of British India.

Gandhiji returned the title Kaiser – e – Hind. Thousands of students boycotted schools and colleges. Many advocates gave up their profession. Non cooperation movement gave a new energy to India. The British government was amazed to see the impact of this movement.

It became difficult for the British government to face it. In December 1921, at the Ahmedabad session of the Congress, it was decided to make the non-cooperation movement a mass movement. Gandhiji was given all rights regarding the noncooperation movement.

In Feb. 1922, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to the Viceroy of India, which was a sort of warning. At Bartholdi, full-fledged preparation had been made for this movement. But due to the Chauri-Chaura incident, this movement had to be withdrawn.

All Congress leaders opposed Gandhiji’s this decision. Lala Lajpat Rai and Moti Lai Nehru wrote a letter to Gandhiji from the jail that due to a mistake at one place, whole country had been punished. The next day, Gandhiji was arrested, although he had postponed the non – cooperation movement, and was tried as a traitor of the country. He was imprisoned for six years.