The Chauri Chaura incident
Date: 08 February 2022 Tags: Historical PlacesIssue
The historical Chauri Chaura incident occurred on 4th February in 1922 near Gorakhpur (United Provinces).
Background
Mahatma Gandhi had launched the Non-cooperation movement to challenge oppressive government regulatory measures such as the Rowlatt Act.
Details
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A protest march was organized by satyagrahis to protest against rise in food prices and also selling of alcohol.
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The police arrested several of the protestors and locked them up. Following this incident, a subsequent march took place neat the station.
The occurrence
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A large group of protesters had gathered and moved towards the station. The police fired and several of them were killed.
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In retaliation, the demonstrators attacked and set fire to a police station, killing all its occupants. Three civilians and 23 policemen were killed.
The response
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British colonial authorities declared martial law in and around Chauri Chaura. Several raids took place and hundreds of people were arrested.
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Mahatma Gandhi suspended the Non-cooperation Movement on 12 February 1922, as a direct result of this incident.
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Gandhiji felt that people had violated the code of non-violence during the Chauri Chaura incident and they had to be trained to observe the code under all circumstances.
Non-cooperation movement
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The Non-cooperation movement was a political campaign undertaken in 1922 by Indians to revoke their cooperation to the British colonial government.
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The major aim of the movement was to force the British to grant self-governance and full independence (Purna Swaraj) to India.
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It was the first large-scale Satyagraha in India. Indian masses participated in a freedom movement for the first time in India.
Steps taken by public
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Protestors would boycott foreign goods and clothes, promote local handicrafts and also picket liquor shops.
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Indians would be encouraged to leave British schools and services such as police, lawyers and civil administration.
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Many people also gave up honours and titles that were bestowed upon them by the British administration.