What were the objectives of the Non Co-operation Movement?

a. Objectives of the Movement:

Gandhiji first announced his of Non Co-operation with-the British in a meeting of the Khilafatists held in Delhi (in November, 1919).

On the advice of Gandhiji the Khilafat leaders lent their full support to the proposed Non Co­operation movement. Meanwhile the Indian National Congress in its Nagpur session also adopted resolution supporting the proposed Non Co-operation movement.

In fact, the four underlying causes of the Non Co-operation were: (a) People’s resentment against the Rowlatt Act (b) People’s reaction to the ghastly massacre at the Jallianwalabag (c) The demand for Swaraj jointly raised by the Moderates and the Extremists and (d) The possibility of a Hindu- Muslim joint movement on the Khilafat question.

The Non Co­operation movement launched on the basis of the above had three clear objectives in view, namely: (a) Remedy of the Punjab wrongs done by the British (b) Vindication of the prestige of the Caliphate and (c) Fulfillment of the demand for Swaraj.

b. Participation of the Peasantry:

During the Movement the Indian peasantry also started voicing protests against their various grievances.

The first peasant’s movement had begun at Rae Bareili and Faizabad (in present Uttar Pradesh) where the tenant farmers burst into revolt and stopped paying illegal taxes.

The peasants movement assumed a significant character in Oudh (in present Uttar Pradesh) where an armed band of peasants called Ika’ became very active.

In Bengal, Orissa and South India also the peasants voiced their protests in various ways. The peasants of Midnapore in West Bengal started a no-tax campaign.

c. An Assessment:

The Non Co-operation Movement of 1970 failed to achieve its immediate goal of establishing Swaraj in India. But this failure must not blind us about the immense impacts the movement had on India and her people.

First, the Non Co-operation was the first mass-movement of its kind that touched the people even of the remotest village.

Secondly, the movement augmented the organizational strength of the Indian National Congress. Indian people could realize that it was through this organisation that the goal for Swaraj could be achieved.

Thirdly, the movement increased the self-confidence of the people.

People were now inspired with the morale to challenge the imperialist rule of the British Fourthly, the social impact of the movement was no less important, room this time onwards people became conscious of the social evils like untouchability, communalism, caste barriers, etc. and efforts were made to generate a public opinion against them Considering what has been said above it may be asserted that the immediate failure of the Non Co-operation Movement far outweighed its far-reaching consequences.