Mahatma Gandhi started Non-Cooperation movement against British Government in 1920 A.D.

Following were the main objectives of this movement :

• To criticize the atrocities committed on people of Punjab and the policies of British.
• To stop injustice committed against Sultan of Turkey (Khalifa)
• To establish unity among Hindus and Muslims.
• To achieve Swaraj (freedom) from British Government.

Program of Non-Cooperation Movement :

• To give up government jobs.
• To return government or official titles.
• Not to take part in government festivals and meetings.
• Not to use foreign-made goods. Instead country-made goods should be used.
• To boycot government courts and disputes should be resolved through Panchayats.
• To use Khadi cloth made by charkha.

Progress of Non-Cooperation Movement: Mahatma Gandhi returned his title of ‘Kesar-e-Hind’ to the government. He appealed the people to take part in his movement. Many Indians gave up their government jobs and titles. Thousands of students left their schools and colleges. They started to study in Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Tilak Vidyapeeth, etc. Hundreds of Lawyers left their legal practice. Moti Lai Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, C.R. Dass, Sardar Patel, Lala Lajpat Rai also left their legal practice. People sacrificed foreign made clothes and started tctuse Khadi clothes made by charkha.

Government arrested thousands of people to suppress this movement. Congress session was going on at village Chauri-Chaura of Gorakhpur distt. of Uttar Pradesh in 1922 A.D. Around 3000 farmers were taking part in it. Police fired bullets ut them. Farmers became angry, they attacked the police station and set it on fire. As a,result 22 policemen were killed. Gandhiji became furious he took back Non-Cooperation Movement at Bardauli on 12th February in 1922 A.D.

Importance: Yet the Non-Cooperation Movement was called off by Mahatma Gandhi but still it gave an important contribution in spreading National movement.

• People of almost all the classes took part in this movement with which national consciousness occurred among them.
• Females also took part in it. Their self-confidence increased with this.
• Popularity of Congress party increased with this movement.
• Some leaders of Congress were furious with Mahatma Gandhi because of calling off the movement. Pandit Moti Lai Nehru and C.R. Dass were some of them. So they founded ‘Swaraj party’ on 1923 A.D. to achieve freedom from the British.