The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement was a pact signed between Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s struggle for independence, and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, on March 5, 1931. This agreement paved the way for the Round Table Conference and marked an important milestone in India’s quest for independence from British colonial rule.
The agreement was the result of several rounds of negotiations between Gandhi and Irwin, which lasted for over a month. The main objective of the agreement was to end the Civil Disobedience Movement, which Gandhi had launched in 1930, and to initiate a dialogue between the Indian National Congress and the British Government on the issue of Indian independence.
Under the agreement, the Indian National Congress agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and participate in the Round Table Conference, which was to be held in London. The British Government, on the other hand, agreed to release all political prisoners, except for those who were convicted of violence, and to permit the peaceful picketing of liquor shops.
Moreover, the agreement also included a provision for the appointment of a commission to enquire into the condition of the depressed classes, who were regarded as the lowest castes in the Hindu social hierarchy. This was a significant development, as it marked the first attempt by the Indian National Congress to address the issue of social justice for the depressed classes.
The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement, however, was not without its controversies. Many members of the Indian National Congress criticized Gandhi for agreeing to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement without obtaining any concrete concessions from the British Government on the issue of Indian independence.
Despite the criticism, the agreement paved the way for the Round Table Conference, which allowed the Indian National Congress to present its case for India’s independence to the international community. The conference, however, failed to yield any significant results, and the struggle for India’s independence continued for several more years.
In conclusion, the Gandhi-Irwin agreement was a significant milestone in India’s struggle for independence. It marked the first attempt by the Indian National Congress to enter into a dialogue with the British Government on the issue of Indian independence. The agreement also included provisions for social justice for the depressed classes, which was a significant development. However, the agreement also faced criticism from within the Indian National Congress for not obtaining any concrete concessions on the issue of Indian independence.
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