Non-Cooperation Movement & Khilafat Movement: Unity Against British Rule

Introduction

The Khilafat Movement emerged in response to the dismantling of the Ottoman Caliphate by the Allied powers after World War I. Led by the Ali brothers, it aimed to restore the authority of the Ottoman Caliph, seen as the spiritual leader of Muslims worldwide. The Non-Cooperation Movement, spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed at achieving swaraj (self-rule) by boycotting British institutions, including educational, legislative, and administrative bodies. These movements found common ground in their opposition to British imperialism and were characterized by mass mobilization and nonviolent resistance.

Khilafat Issue and the Emergence of the Khilafat Committee

• The Khilafat issue emerged post-World War I due to the mistreatment of Turkey by the British. 
• Muslims worldwide regarded the Sultan of Turkey as their spiritual leader (Khalifa), and the British actions against Turkey angered Muslims in India as well.
• Formation of Khilafat Committee: In early 1919, leaders like the Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali), Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani urged the British government to change its stance towards Turkey.
  • Demands: Khalifa’s control over Muslim sacred places should remain intact, and the Khalifa should retain sufficient territories after territorial arrangements.
• Shift Towards Militancy: Initially, the Khilafat movement involved peaceful measures like meetings and petitions. However, it gradually shifted towards a more militant approach, advocating for the boycott of British goods
• Gandhi’s Involvement: Mahatma Gandhi, as the president of the All India Khilafat Committee, saw the issue as a platform for a united (Hindu plus Muslim) mass non-cooperation movement against the British.
• Congress’ Stand and Muslim League’s Support
• Congress’ Division: Gandhi supported launching satyagraha and non-cooperation against the government on the Khilafat issue. However, the Congress was initially divided on this form of political action.
  • Tilak Opposed: Aligning with Muslim leaders over a religious issue and was sceptical of satyagraha as a political instrument. 
  • Gandhi made efforts to convince Tilak about the virtues of satyagraha and the need for an alliance with the Muslim community over the Khilafat issue. 
  • Eventually, Congress approved Gandhi’s non-cooperation program.

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• Reasons for Congress Support
  • To foster Hindu-Muslim unity and draw Muslim masses into the national movement.
  • Loss of faith in constitutional struggle after incidents in Punjab and the biased Hunter Committee Report.
  • Recognition of the masses’ eagerness to express discontent against colonial rule.
• Muslim League‘s Support: The League decided to fully support the Congress and its agitation on political questions, aligning its goals with the broader national movement.

The Non-Cooperation Khilafat Movement

• February 1920: Gandhi announces readiness for non-cooperation movement if the terms of the peace treaty fail to satisfy Indian Muslims.
• May 1920: The Treaty of Sevres dismembers Turkey, intensifying the Khilafat issue.
• June 1920: All-party conference in Allahabad approved a boycott program led by Gandhi.
• August 31, 1920: The Khilafat Committee initiates a campaign of non-cooperation, formally launching the movement.
• September 1920: Congress (at a special session in Calcutta) approves a non-cooperation program until Punjab and Khilafat issues are resolved, including boycotts of schools, law courts, legislative councils, foreign goods, and government titles.

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• Departures and New Alliances: Some leaders like Jinnah, Annie Besant, G.S. Kharpade, and B.C. Pal leaves Congress, believing in a lawful struggle. 
  • Others like Surendranath Banerjea form new alliances or minor political organizations.

• Government Response

• • May 1921 Talks Breakdown: Negotiations between Gandhi and the Viceroy Reading failed as the government wanted Gandhi to persuade the Ali brothers to eliminate parts of their speeches suggesting violence. 
• December 1921 Crackdown: Government crackdown involved declaring volunteer corps illegal, banning public meetings, imposing press censorship, and arresting most leaders except Gandhi.

• Last Phase of the Movement

• • Pressure on Gandhi: In 1921, pressure on Gandhi from Congress members increased to initiate the civil disobedience program.
  • Ahmedabad Session (1921): Appointed Gandhi as the sole authority on the matter. 
    • C.R. Das presided over the session while in jail, with Hakim Ajmal Khan as the acting president.
  • Gandhi’s Ultimatum: On February 1, 1922, Gandhi threatened civil disobedience from Bardoli, Gujarat, unless political prisoners were released and press controls were lifted.
    • The movement was abruptly halted shortly after it began.

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• Gandhi’s Reaction and Movement Withdrawal: Gandhi, disheartened by the increasing violence associated with the movement, immediately announced the withdrawal of the non-cooperation movement after the Chauri Chaura incident.
• Congress Working Committee Decision (Bardoli, February 1922): The Congress Working Committee gathered in Bardoli and resolved to halt activities leading to law-breaking. 
  • They shifted focus towards constructive work, including promoting khadi, establishing national schools, advocating for temperance, fostering Hindu-Muslim unity, and fighting against untouchability.
• Gandhi’s Arrest and Court Sentence: Six years in jail in March 1922. 
  • His memorable court speech emphasized his willingness to face the highest penalty for what he saw as the highest duty of a citizen

• Diverse Views on the Incident

• • Subhas Chandra Bose‘s Perspective: Expresses resentment towards the decision to withdraw the movement, considering it a national calamity. 
    • Leaders in prison, such as Deshbandhu Das, Pandit Motilal Nehru, and Lala Lajpat Rai, shared this resentment.
  • Marxist Interpretation: Sees the movement’s termination as an effort by Gandhi and Congress leaders to control what was becoming a revolutionary mass movement, maintaining it within “safe channels” amid growing unrest and radicalism among the masses.
  • Gandhi’s Stand: Gandhi emphasizes his commitment to non-violence, stating his willingness to endure any suffering or humiliation to prevent the movement from turning violent.
  • Leaders’ Reactions: Many nationalist leaders like C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, Subhash Bose, and Jawaharlal Nehru express bewilderment and disagreement with Gandhi’s decision to withdraw the movement.

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Conclusion

• The Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement marked a significant chapter in India’s struggle for independence. 
• Born out of a coalition between Indian nationalists and the Indian Muslim community to protest British policies in Turkey, the movement gained widespread support across religious and regional lines. However, despite its initial momentum, the movement faced setbacks, including the Chauri Chaura incident, leading to its eventual suspension by Gandhi. 
• Nonetheless, it demonstrated the potential of unified mass mobilization and civil disobedience in challenging colonial rule and laid the groundwork for future resistance movements in India.