Chauri Chaura Incident

In News

• The Prime Minister inaugurated Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations on 4th February last year and also released a postal stamp on this occasion.

About Chauri Chaura incident

• The incident took place on 4 February 1922 at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
• A large group of freedom fighters of Congress and Khilafat activists participating in the Non-cooperation movement were fired upon by police, leading to the death of many of them.
• In retaliation, protestors attacked and set fire to the Chauri Chaura police station, killing many of its occupants.
• The incident led to the death of three civilians and 22 policemen.
• Mahatma Gandhi, who was completely against violence, stopped the Non-cooperation movement on 12 February the same year.
• The British government, in response, imposed martial law in the area and arrested hundreds of people including Mahatma Gandhi.

 Non-cooperation Movement

• The non-cooperation movement was a political campaign launched on 4 September 1920, by Mahatma Gandhi to have Indians revoke their cooperation from the British government, with the aim of inducing the British to grant self-governance and full independence (Purna Swaraj) to India.
• This came as a result of the Indian National Congress (INC) withdrawing its support for British reforms following the Rowlatt Act of 18 March 1919 which suspended the rights of political prisoners in sedition trials and was seen as a “political awakening” by Indians and as a “threat” by the British and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 13 April 1919.
• Gandhi’s planning of the non-cooperation movement included persuading all Indians to withdraw their labour from any activity that sustained the British government and also the economy in India, including British industries and educational institutions.
• Through non-violent means or Ahinsa, protesters would refuse to buy British goods, adopt the use of local handicrafts, and picket liquor shops.
• In addition to promoting “self-reliance” by spinning khadi, buying Indian-made goods only, and boycotting British goods, Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement called for the restoration of the Khilafat (Khilafat movement) in Turkey and the end to untouchability.

Source: AIR