Chauri Chaura Incident

Introduction

About the Chauri Chaura Incident

On February 4, 1922, a group of non-cooperation movement participants clashed with local authorities, attacked police officers, and burnt police stations which unfortunately led to the death of 22 police officers and three civilians. This incident occurred at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur region of Uttar Pradesh, then known as the United Provinces. 

In September 1920, Mahatma Gandhi introduced the non-cooperation movement, which was peaceful and non-violent. It was assumed to be a non-violent corporation where people gave up their government titles and jobs. 

Students were deprived of attending government schools or colleges and even refused to pay heavy taxes. The aim was to establish self-government or swaraj. People widely participated in the Chauri Chaura movement, and even at a participation level, they witnessed widespread success. 

However, the sudden breakdown of the Chauri Chaura incident of 1922 changed a lot of things to a great extent. On February 2, 1922, the locals were found to protest against the rise in the prices of meat. Many of them were beaten and some of the leaders were sent behind bars at the Chauri Chaura police station. This incident led to a different protest altogether against the police. 

Around 2500 people on February 4 walked towards the Chauri Chaura market, intending to strike a liquor selling shop. During this time, a leader got arrested. As a result, people walk towards the chauri chaura police station to appeal for their release. In order to disperse the crowd, police fired several times in the air. However, the crowd lost their control and started to throw stones at each other. 

When things got out of control, one of the sub-inspector fired three people from the crowd. This filled people with anger and officials inside the police station were hanged to death. Later, hundreds and thousands of people got arrested. 

After the Chauri Chaura incident, Gandhi fasted for a complete five days. A week after the Chauri Chaura incident, Gandhi decided to call off the non-cooperation movement on February 12 against many of his closest associates, including Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru who did not agree to Gandhi’s decision. Gandhi believed that people were yet not ready for a non-violent movement. Also, he felt, adequate training needs to be given to the masses. 

The Chauri Chaura incident in 1922 and Gandhi’s decision gave a deep insight into his ideologies and commitment to non-violence. When India was witnessing several social movements frequently, organisers should internalise this principle. 

After the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, it was pretty evident that the nationalists were impulsive and making wrong decisions. Depicting it as criminal discounts the local roots of political discontent. According to Gandhi, the violence at Chauri Chaura was terrible as it showcased exceptional moral conviction in pulling back. 

Why did Gandhi withdraw from the non-cooperation movement?

Gandhi had repeatedly warned that he did not even want any violent movement in any other part of the country while conducting mass civil disobedience in Bardoli. First, non-violence is a matter of principle for Gandhi. Second, if violence occurred anywhere, it could easily be made an excuse by the Government to launch a massive attack on the movement as a whole. It would justify the repression.

Gandhi took responsibility for withdrawing the movement on himself and the Working Committee. Gandhi protected the movement from likely repression by the Government and the people from demoralisation.

By the second half of 1921, the movement had shown clear signs of being on the ebb.

The movement had already gone on for over a year, the Government was in no mood for negotiations, and Chauri- Chaura presented an opportunity to retreat with honour before the internal weaknesses of the movement became apparent enough to force surrender or make the retreat look like a rout.

Impact on freedom struggle

With the withdrawal of the movement, Gandhi was arrested immediately. Britishers used a hard-handed approach to deal with the movement. Congress was on the verge of splitting with a faction demanding re-entry to the legislative councils. Still, due to the efforts of Gandhi, both Swarajists and No-Changers remained within the congress organisation.

Chauri Chaura Incident Quick facts for UPSC preparation

Conclusion

The Chauri Chaura Incident was an unfortunate incident that occured in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Paresh where local peasants clashed with British policy officials resulting in the death of 22 policemens. Soon after this incident, Mahatma Gandhi who was fairly against violence called off the non-cooperation movement.