- On March 5, 1931, Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India at that time, signed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. This agreement was signed just before the second round table conference in London. The pact also referred to as the Delhi Pact, aimed to bring about equal participation between the Indian National Congress and the British Indian government. To lay the groundwork for the upcoming Round Table Conference in England, Mahatma Gandhi engaged in extensive discussions with Viceroy Lord Irwin. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed by Gandhi on behalf of the Congress and Lord Irwin on behalf of the British Indian government.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact – Background:
- The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was influenced by several factors and events that unfolded during that period. Here’s the background leading up to the pact:
- Second Round Table Conference: The Second Round Table Conference was scheduled to be held in London in 1931. These conferences aimed to discuss constitutional reforms for India and included representatives from various political parties and communities.
- Salt Satyagraha: The Salt Satyagraha, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, gained significant attention and support both within India and internationally. The act of civil disobedience against the British salt laws showcased the unjust treatment of Indians and the growing resistance against British rule.
- International Attention: The Salt Satyagraha and the subsequent repression faced by Indians attracted international scrutiny and criticism of the British government’s handling of the situation. This added pressure on the British authorities to address the Indian independence movement and seek a resolution.
- Imprisonment of Leaders: As a result of the civil disobedience movement, many Indian leaders, including Gandhi, were arrested and imprisoned. The imprisonment of these prominent figures highlighted the seriousness of the movement and further motivated the need for a resolution.
- Lord Irwin’s Intentions: Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India at the time, desired a resolution to the escalating tensions. Recognizing the significance of Gandhi’s leadership and the Congress party’s influence, he sought to engage in discussions with them to find a way forward.
- Unconditional Release: On January 25, 1931, Gandhi and all other members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) were unconditionally released from prison. This gesture demonstrated a willingness from the British government to engage in dialogue.
- Authorization from Congress: Congress President Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel authorized Gandhi to initiate discussions with Lord Irwin. The Congress Working Committee empowered Gandhi to represent the party in negotiations with the Viceroy.
- Against this backdrop, the stage was set for Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin to engage in talks and eventually sign the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which played a significant role in shaping the discussions and outcomes of the Second Round Table Conference in London.
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, encompassed several key features, including:
- Agreement on the Round Table Conference: The Indian National Congress (INC) agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London.
- Halting Civil Disobedience Movement: The INC committed to suspending the civil disobedience movement as a sign of good faith during the negotiations.
- Withdrawal of Ordinances: The British government agreed to withdraw all ordinances that had been enacted to restrict the activities of the Indian National Congress.
- Release of Political Prisoners: Those who had been arrested for participating in the civil disobedience movement but had not been convicted of violent offenses were to be released from prison.
- Return of Confiscated Lands: Lands that had been confiscated during the movement but had not yet been sold to third parties were to be returned.
- Fair Treatment of Government Employees: Government employees who had resigned as part of the civil disobedience movement would not face unfair treatment upon their return to work.
- Right to Produce Salt: Coastal villages were granted the right to produce salt for local consumption.
- Peaceful Picketing: Picketing was to be carried out in a peaceful and non-aggressive manner.
- Removal of Salt Tax: The salt tax, a source of significant grievance during the Salt Satyagraha, was to be abolished.
- These features of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact aimed to address some of the key demands and grievances raised by the Indian National Congress and the civil disobedience movement, creating a platform for further discussions and negotiations during the Round Table Conference.
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact held significant significance in the Indian freedom struggle. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:
- Consolidation of Indian National Congress: The pact solidified the Indian National Congress as a major political party with the support of millions of Indian nationals. It showcased the influence and relevance of Congress in the negotiations with the British government.
- Path to Government of India Act 1935: The pact set the stage for the Government of India Act 1935. This act introduced constitutional reforms, softening the diarchy system and increasing the representation of Indians in the central legislature. It marked a step towards greater self-governance and Indian participation in governance.
- Increased Indian Representation: As a result of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and subsequent developments, more Indian representatives were able to enter the legislative bodies. The Act of 1935 allowed for a greater number of elected Indian members in the central legislature, transferring power to Indian hands.
- Progress in Self-Government: The pact’s significance lies in the progress it made toward achieving self-government and the transfer of power from British authorities to elected Indian representatives. It was a milestone in the evolving relationship between India and Britain, shaping the future of the country’s governance.
- Confidence in Negotiations: The pact demonstrated that negotiations between Indian leaders, represented by Gandhi, and British authorities, represented by Lord Irwin, were possible. It laid the groundwork for future discussions and negotiations, leading to a more constructive dialogue between the two sides.
- Overall, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact marked a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle by strengthening the Indian National Congress, setting the path for constitutional reforms, and gradually increasing Indian representation in governance, ultimately leading to the transfer of power to elected Indian members.
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact had several outcomes that shaped the political landscape and addressed key demands of the Indian National Congress. Here are the outcomes of the pact:
- Attendance at the Second Round Table Conference: Despite boycotting the first Round Table Conference, members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) attended the second conference in September 1931. This marked a significant shift in Congress’s approach toward negotiations.
- Repeal of Ordinances: All ordinances that prohibited peaceful protests and restricted the activities of the Indian National Congress were repealed. This allowed for greater freedom of expression and assembly.
- Release of Civil Disobedience Movement Arrestees: Those who had been arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement but were not charged with violence were released. Additionally, their confiscated property was returned to them, restoring their rights and assets.
- Lifted Bans on the Indian National Congress: The bans on the Indian National Congress were lifted, enabling the organization to hold peaceful meetings that were not intended to be anti-establishment. This allowed for greater political participation and engagement.
- Permission for Indigenous Salt Trade: Ordinary people were granted permission to trade in indigenous salt produced along the Indian sea coasts. This eased restrictions on salt production and trade, which had been a significant point of contention during the Salt Satyagraha.
- Peaceful Protests Permitted: The government agreed to allow peaceful protests outside liquor stores and other foreign goods stores. This provided an avenue for expressing grievances and dissent in a nonviolent manner.
- However, there were certain demands that Lord Irwin, representing the British government, refused to concede. These included conducting a formal investigation into police brutality during the Civil Disobedience Movement and commuting the death sentence of Bhagat Singh to life imprisonment. These unresolved issues remained points of contention between the Congress and the British authorities.
- Overall, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact brought about significant concessions from the British government, addressing key demands of the Indian National Congress and providing some relief to those involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement. It set the stage for further negotiations and discussions on the path towards Indian independence.
The outcomes of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact had both positive and negative impacts. Here’s a summary of the outcomes and their implications:
- Provisional Suspension of Struggle: The civil disobedience struggle was temporarily suspended, allowing for a period of relative calm and a cessation of mass protests.
- Release of Disobedience Prisoners: Those who had been arrested for participating in the civil disobedience movement, except for those charged with violent offenses, were to be released from prison.
- Remission of Fines: All fines that had not yet been collected were to be remitted, providing relief to individuals who had been penalized during the movement.
- Return of Confiscated Lands: Lands that had been confiscated during the movement but had not yet been sold to third parties were to be returned, ensuring the restoration of property rights.
- Lenient Treatment for Resigned Government Employees: Government employees who had resigned as part of the civil disobedience movement would be treated leniently upon their return to work, protecting their rights and employment prospects.
- Right to Make Salt: Villages along the coast were granted the right to produce salt for consumption, allowing for greater self-sufficiency and addressing a significant grievance from the Salt Satyagraha.
- Right to Peaceful Picketing: The agreement acknowledged the right to engage in peaceful and non-aggressive picketing, providing a means for expressing grievances through nonviolent means.
- Gandhi’s Request for Inquiry Recorded: While the Congress demand for a public inquiry into police excesses was not accepted, Gandhi’s insistent request for an inquiry was recorded in the agreement.
Implications and Negative Impact:
- Mystery of Gandhi’s Decision: The reasons behind Gandhi’s decision to sign the pact remain unclear. Some evidence suggests that business pressures played a crucial role, raising questions about the motivations behind the agreement.
- Dissatisfaction among Peasants: The pact was seen as a betrayal by some peasants. Their expectations for tax reduction and the return of confiscated land were not fulfilled, leading to a sense of disappointment and a perceived erosion of their morale.
- Criticism of Compromise: Prominent leaders, such as Yusuf Meher Ali, denounced the politics of compromise and expressed criticism towards business figures who sought to capitalize on the sacrifices made by others during the movement.
- It is important to note that the outcomes of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact were mixed, with some positive changes achieved but also with certain shortcomings and disillusionment among certain sections of society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, and why was it signed?
Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was a political agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, on March 5, 1931. The pact marked a crucial moment in the Indian independence movement. It was signed in the backdrop of the Civil Disobedience Movement initiated by Gandhi. The agreement aimed at ending the Salt Satyagraha and other civil disobedience activities and securing the release of political prisoners. In return, the British government agreed to allow the participation of Indian National Congress representatives in the Second Round Table Conference in London.
2. What were the main provisions of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact?
Answer: The key provisions of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact included:
- End of Civil Disobedience Movement: Gandhi agreed to end the Civil Disobedience Movement, including the Salt Satyagraha and the boycott of British goods.
- Release of Political Prisoners: The British government agreed to release all political prisoners who were not involved in violent activities.
- Participation in the Second Round Table Conference: The Indian National Congress was allowed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London to discuss constitutional reforms.
- No Prosecution for Satyagrahis: The government assured that there would be no prosecution of Satyagrahis (participants in nonviolent resistance) for their past activities.
3. What was the impact of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact on the Indian independence movement?
Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact had both positive and negative impacts on the Indian independence movement. On the positive side, it temporarily eased tensions between the British government and Indian nationalists. It provided an opportunity for Indian leaders to participate in the Second Round Table Conference and present their demands for self-rule. However, the pact also faced criticism, as it did not lead to significant concessions from the British, and the promises made were not fully implemented. The failure to reach a satisfactory agreement at the Round Table Conference and subsequent events eventually led to the resumption of the struggle for independence. Despite its limitations, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact is remembered as a significant episode in the history of India’s fight for freedom.
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