The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, signed in 1931, was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Viceroy Lord Irwin to end the Civil Disobedience Movement and facilitate Congress’s participation in the Second Round Table Conference. It marked a significant milestone in India’s freedom struggle, showcasing the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance and securing limited concessions from the British government. This article aims to study in detail the context, provisions, significance, and limitations of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
About Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
- The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was an agreement signed in 1931 between Mahatma Gandhi and the then Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin.
- The pact aimed to end the Civil Disobedience Movement and secure Congress’s participation in the Second Round Table Conference (RTC).
- This agreement reflected a compromise between the Indian nationalists and the British government, each seeking to advance their respective goals while addressing immediate concerns.
- The Gandhi-Irwin Pact date, also known as Delhi Pact, was signed on March 5, 1931.
Key Provisions of Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Under the pact, the British government made several concessions to address the demands of the Indian National Congress:
- Salt Concession: People living within a specified distance of the seashore were allowed to manufacture or collect salt without paying any tax or duty.
- Release of Political Prisoners: All political prisoners not involved in violent activities were to be released immediately.
- Fines and Land Returns: All fines imposed but not yet collected were to be remitted, and confiscated land not sold to third parties was to be returned.
- Withdrawal of Repressive Measures: All ordinances and pending prosecutions against Congress workers were to be withdrawn.
- Leniency Towards Resigned Officials: Government employees who had resigned as part of the movement were to be treated leniently.
- Peaceful Protest Rights: Non-aggressive and peaceful picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops was allowed.
In exchange, Gandhi and the Congress agreed to:
- Suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement: The ongoing mass protest and defiance of colonial laws were to be halted.
- Participation in Second RTC: Congress would send representatives, including Gandhi, to the Second Round Table Conference in London.
Unmet Demands in Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Despite these agreements, Lord Irwin rejected two significant demands from Gandhi:
- Public Inquiry into Police Brutality: Gandhi had demanded an investigation into the police excesses committed during the suppression of the Civil Disobedience Movement, which was denied.
- Commutation of Bhagat Singh’s Death Sentence: The plea for leniency in the case of Bhagat Singh and his comrades, who were awarded the death penalty, was also turned down.
Significance of Gandhi-Irwin Pact
- Political Recognition: For the first time, the British government formally acknowledged the Congress as a representative body of the Indian people.
- Platform for Dialogue: It created a pathway for negotiations and provided a political platform for Indian leaders at the Second Round Table Conference.
- Mass Mobilization: The pact underscored the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as a political tool.
- Global Attention: It brought India’s struggle for independence into international focus, showcasing the widespread support for the movement.
Criticism of Gandhi-Irwin Pact
- Unaddressed Popular Demands: The refusal to investigate police excesses and the rejection of Bhagat Singh’s clemency plea alienated a significant section of the youth and radical nationalists.
- Temporary Relief: Many of the concessions granted were superficial and did not address the core demand of complete independence (Swaraj).
Conclusion
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was a historic milestone in India’s struggle for independence. While it demonstrated the strength of Gandhi’s leadership and the Congress’s resolve, it also revealed the limitations of negotiations within the framework of colonial rule. The pact marked a temporary truce but laid the groundwork for subsequent movements and intensified the quest for complete independence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Gandhi-Irwin Pact?
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India, in March 1931. It marked a truce between the Indian National Congress and the British government, leading to the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
When was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed?
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931.
Why did Gandhi write the letter to Lord Irwin?
Gandhi wrote a letter to Lord Irwin to express the grievances of the Indian people, demand redressal of injustices, and propose constructive negotiations to address issues like the salt tax, repression of civil liberties, and economic hardships caused by British policies.
