Khilafat Committee 1921: Resolution, Demands, Gandhi’s Support, and Government Repression
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Muslim Resistance: Turkey, Allies, and India’s Stand
During World War I, Turkey was an ally of Germany. After the battle, the Allies enforced the Treaty of Sevres (10 August 1920) on Turkey, which attempted to split the Ottoman Empire. Because the Caliph of Turkey was both the religious and political leader of Muslims worldwide, Muslims rejected the Treaty of Sevres. The resistance to the pact was also expressed in India.
Khilafat Committee Demands: Restoration of Khalifa’s Status and Sovereignty
- The movement is organised by Indian Muslims.
- Their demand was that the status of the Khalifa be restored.
- The Khalifa’s sovereignty over the Muslim holy site should be restored. Khalifa should be given enough territory to reign over.
Khilafat Committee Agitation: Gandhi’s Support for Unity and Non-Cooperation
- The Khilafat Committee: It was created in 1919, and its leaders included the Ali Brothers (Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali), Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, Hasrat Mohani, and Dr Mukhtaar Ahmed Ansari, among others.
- All India Khilafat Conference (1920): Held in Delhi, Muslim leaders called for non-cooperation.
- Support of Gandhi: Gandhi was drawn to the Khilafat movement, believing that it would provide the finest opportunity to establish Hindu-Muslim relations. Aside from that, it would bolster the Indian National Movement.
- Merge Of Two Streams: Gandhi was chosen President of the Khilafat Committee in April 1920. He persuaded Khilafat members to initiate the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1920.
Resolution of Khilafat Committee (1921): Boycotts, Sedition, and Hartal Day Impact
- Abandon British Army: The Khilafat Committee published a resolution in July 1921 asking Muslims to abandon the British Indian Army. In retribution, the Ali Brothers were arrested for sedition.
- Boycott Authority: Gandhi personally issued a manifesto in which he urged Indians to boycott the British authority in all of its manifestations.
- Prince of Wales: November 19, 1921 – The day of the Hartal was honored across India during the Prince of Wales’s visit.
Government Reaction: Schism Attempts, Repression, and Imprisonment
- Creating Schism: May 1921 – Through Gandhi-Reading negotiations, the British Indian Government attempted to create a schism between Gandhi and Khilafat leaders.
- Placating Gandhi: Viceroy Reading attempted to convince and placate Gandhi during this meeting so that he could urge the Ali Brothers to remove their pro-violence comments. However, the negotiations collapsed.
- Repression: By December 1921, the government had reversed its position and implemented harsh repressive measures.
- Illegal Congress: Congress and the Khilafat Volunteers Corps were declared illegal, as were public assemblies and processions.
- Imprisonment: Congress and Khilafat offices were searched Except for Gandhi, all of the main leaders were imprisoned.
