Civil Disobedience Resumed - Key Historical Events

Date: December 29, 1931
Overview: On December 29, 1931, the Congress Working Committee decided to resume the civil disobedience movement following the failure of the Second Round Table Conference.

Activities: During the truce period between March and December 1931, several protests continued to challenge British rule:
United Provinces: The movement focused on rent reduction and opposition to summary evictions.
NWFP: Severe repression against Khudai Khidmatgars and peasants protesting tax-collection methods.
Bengal: The British administration used draconian ordinances and engaged in mass detentions under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
Hijli Jail: A violent incident occurred in September 1931 involving the firing on political prisoners.

Government's Response: Following the Second Round Table Conference, British officials aimed to reverse Congress' political gains and maintain control. Key considerations included:

1. Gandhi's Movement: Preventing Gandhi from gaining momentum for a mass movement.
2. Confidence of Loyalists: Strengthening the loyalty of government functionaries instead of relying on Congress support.
3. Rural Consolidation: Preventing the national movement from consolidating in rural areas.

Actions: After the CWC's decision to resume the civil disobedience movement, Viceroy Willingdon refused to meet Gandhi on December 31, and Gandhi was arrested on January 4, 1932.

Repressive Ordinances: The government issued a series of repressive ordinances leading to a civil martial law. Key actions included:

1. Banning Congress Organizations: The British authorities banned Congress organizations at all levels.
2. Arrests and Confiscations: Activists, leaders, and sympathizers were arrested, and properties were confiscated.
3. Occupation of Gandhi's Ashrams: The ashrams of Gandhi were occupied.
4. Press Censorship: The press was censored, and nationalist literature was banned.
5. Repression of Women: Women faced particularly harsh repression.

Initial Response: Despite being unprepared, the response to the movement was massive. Key actions included:

1. Arrests: Approximately 80,000 satyagrahis, mostly from poor backgrounds, were jailed in the first four months.
2. Forms of Protest: These included picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops, illegal gatherings, non-violent demonstrations, symbolic flag hoistings, non-payment of chowkidara tax, salt satyagraha, and violations of forest laws.
3. Upheavals: The movement coincided with uprisings in Kashmir and Alwar.

Challenges Faced: The movement struggled due to lack of time to build momentum and the unpreparedness of the masses.
Movement Withdrawal: Gandhi decided to withdraw the movement in April 1934. Despite the repression, people maintained their political faith in Congress.

Civil Disobedience Resumed in India: A Crucial Moment in the Independence Movement