Current Affairs

Issue

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

• A protest march was organized by satyagrahis to protest against rise in food prices and also selling of alcohol.

• The police arrested several of the protestors and locked them up. Following this incident, a subsequent march took place neat the station.

 

The occurrence

• A large group of protesters had gathered and moved towards the station. The police fired and several of them were killed.

• 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

• British colonial authorities declared martial law in and around Chauri Chaura. Several raids took place and hundreds of people were arrested.

• Mahatma Gandhi suspended the Non-cooperation Movement on 12 February 1922, as a direct result of this incident. 

• 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

• The Non-cooperation movement was a political campaign undertaken in 1922 by Indians to revoke their cooperation to the British colonial government.

• The major aim of the movement was to force the British to grant self-governance and full independence (Purna Swaraj) to India.

• 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

• Protestors would boycott foreign goods and clothes, promote local handicrafts and also picket liquor shops.

• Indians would be encouraged to leave British schools and services such as police, lawyers and civil administration.

• Many people also gave up honours and titles that were bestowed upon them by the British administration.