Mahatma Gandhi with his principle of Non-violence changed the direction of the freedom movement. With reference to the Gandhian Movements, answer the following:
Mention any four clauses of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
Topic: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Answer
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 5 March 1931. Its main clauses were: (1) The Congress agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and to take part in the Second Round Table Conference in London. (2) The Government agreed to release all political prisoners who had not been convicted of violence. (3) The Government agreed to withdraw the repressive ordinances and to restore the confiscated properties of the satyagrahis. (4) Indians living near the coast were permitted to manufacture salt free of duty for their own use, and peaceful picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops was allowed.
Four marks, four clauses, one mark each — so number them and give the date in your opening line. Balance them: two concessions BY the Congress (suspending the movement, attending the Conference) and two BY the Government (releasing prisoners, withdrawing ordinances, the salt concession). An answer listing only one side misses the character of a pact. The salt clause is the one candidates most often forget, and it is the most telling, since salt was what the Dandi March had been about.