On March 5, 1931, Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, India's then-viceroy, signed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The agreement was signed just before the second round table conference in London began. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, equalized Congress and the government. To lay the groundwork for the Round Table Conference to be held in England, Mahatma Gandhi held fortnight-long talks with Viceroy Lord Irwin, in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, signed by Gandhi on behalf of the Congress and Lord Irwin on behalf of the British Indian government. In this article, we will discuss the Gandhi-Irwin Pact which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin

Gandhi-Irwin Pact - Background

• The Second Round Table Conference was scheduled to take place in London in 1931.
• The Salt Satyagraha was held in 1930, and India and Gandhi gained international attention.
• The British government in India was chastised for treating Indians unfairly.
• Gandhi and many other leaders, as well as thousands of Indians, were imprisoned.
• Lord Irwin wanted the matter to be resolved.
• Gandhi and all other members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) were unconditionally released on January 25, 1931, and the CWC authorised Gandhi to initiate discussions with the viceroy.
• Gandhi was authorized to meet with Lord Irwin by Congress President Sardar Vallabhai Patel.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact - Features

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact's main features include:

• The Round Table Conference was agreed to by the Indian National Congress (INC).
• The civil disobedience movement would be halted by the INC.
• Withdrawal of all ordinances restricting Congress's activities.
• Release of those arrested for participating in the civil disobedience movement.
• All political prisoners who have not been convicted of violence should be released immediately.
• Return of confiscated lands that have not yet been sold to third parties.
• Government employees who had resigned would not be treated unfairly.
• The right to produce salt for consumption in coastal villages.
• Picketing must be peaceful and non-aggressive.
• Removal of salt tax.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact - Significance

• The pact firmly established the Indian National Congress as a party with the support of millions of Indian nationals.
• The pact paved the way for the Government of India Act 1935, which softened the diarchy system and allowed a greater number of Indian representatives to enter the two houses of the center legislature.
• Following the successful softening of the diarchy in 1935, elections in Indian provinces in 1937 transferred power to elected Indian members.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact - Outcome

• Despite boycotting the first Round Table Conference, members of the CWC attended the second conference in September 1931.
• All ordinances prohibiting peaceful protests were repealed.
• All Civil Disobedience Movement arrestees who were not charged with violence were released and their confiscated property was returned.
• Bans on the INC were lifted, and it was permitted to hold peaceful meetings that were not intended to be anti-establishment.
• Ordinary people were permitted to trade in indigenous salt produced along the Indian sea coasts.
• The government would permit peaceful protests outside liquor stores and other foreign goods stores.
• However, Irwin refused to concede to the demand for a formal investigation into police brutality during the Civil Disobedience Movement and the commutation of Bhagat Singh's hanging to life imprisonment.

Comparison with Non-Cooperation Movement

There were some differences between the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement, such as:

• This time, the stated goal was complete independence, not just redressing two specific wrongs and a vaguely worded swaraj.
• The methods involved law violations from the start, not just non-cooperation with foreign rule.
• There was a decrease in protests involving the intelligentsia, such as lawyers quitting their practices and students leaving government schools to attend national schools and colleges.
• Muslim participation was far below that of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• There was no major labor upsurge that coincided with the movement.
• The large participation of peasants and business groups compensated for the decline of other characteristics.
• This time, the number of people imprisoned was roughly three times higher.
• Congress had a better organizational structure.

Conclusion

Gandhi's motivations for signing a pact with Viceroy Lord Irwin are best understood in terms of his technique. Satyagraha movements were frequently referred to as "struggles," "rebellions," and "wars without violence." However, due to the common connotation of these words, they appeared to place an undue emphasis on the negative aspects of the movements, namely opposition and conflict. The goal of satyagraha, however, was not to achieve the physical elimination or moral breakdown of an adversary but to initiate psychological processes that would allow minds and hearts to meet through suffering at his hands.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the primary objective of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

A) To establish a new constitution
B) To suspend civil disobedience and release political prisoners
C) To gain independence immediately
D) To promote communal harmony

2. Who represented the British government during the Gandhi-Irwin Pact negotiations?

A) Lord Wellesley
B) Lord Irwin
C) Lord Curzon
D) Lord Mountbatten

3. Which of the following was NOT a term of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

A) Release of all political prisoners
B) Suspension of the civil disobedience movement
C) Establishment of a new constitution
D) Right to make salt for personal use

4. What impact did the Gandhi-Irwin Pact have on the Indian National Congress?

A) It led to the dissolution of the Congress
B) It enhanced the Congress's legitimacy
C) It caused a complete shift in leadership
D) It ended all negotiations with the British

5. Which event followed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact as part of the Indian independence movement?

A) Dandi March
B) Quit India Movement
C) Non-Cooperation Movement
D) Civil Disobedience Movement

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the significance of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in the context of the Indian freedom struggle.

Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact holds significant importance in the Indian freedom struggle as it marked a pivotal moment in the relationship between the Indian National Congress and the British government. By agreeing to suspend civil disobedience, the Congress acknowledged the necessity of dialogue and negotiation in the pursuit of independence. The pact facilitated the release of political prisoners and allowed for the Congress's participation in the Round Table Conference, providing a platform for further discussions on constitutional reforms. This agreement symbolized the growing recognition of Indian aspirations for self-rule and the British willingness to engage with Indian leaders, setting the stage for future negotiations and movements towards independence.

Q2: Discuss the implications of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact for communal relations in India.

Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact had implications for communal relations in India by attempting to unify various factions within the Indian National Congress and the broader nationalist movement. While Gandhi aimed to foster Hindu-Muslim unity through his actions and negotiations, the pact also highlighted existing tensions, particularly with communal organizations that opposed cooperation with the British. The agreement sought to create a common front against colonial rule, but the varying responses from different religious and political groups reflected the complexities of Indian society. As a result, while the pact provided a temporary framework for unity, it also underscored the ongoing challenges in addressing communal identities within the broader context of the independence movement.

Q3: Evaluate the role of Gandhi in the negotiations of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and its impact on his leadership in the Indian National Congress.

Answer: Gandhi's role in the negotiations of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was crucial, as he represented the Indian National Congress and articulated the aspirations of the Indian people for self-rule. His commitment to non-violence and dialogue framed the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding between the Indian leaders and the British authorities. The successful negotiation of the pact reinforced Gandhi's leadership position within the Congress, solidifying his influence over the direction of the freedom struggle. However, it also led to divisions among Congress members regarding the efficacy of negotiations, with some advocating for more radical approaches. Ultimately, the pact and Gandhi's involvement highlighted the challenges of leadership in a diverse movement, shaping his legacy in the fight for India's independence.

Previous Year Questions on the Gandhi-Irwin Pact

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What was one of the major outcomes of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

A) Immediate independence
B) Release of political prisoners
C) Formation of a new government
D) Abolishment of British rule

Answer: (B)

Explanation: One of the major outcomes of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was the release of political prisoners who were not involved in violent activities.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Assess the impact of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact on the Indian independence movement and its implications for future negotiations." Discuss.

Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact significantly impacted the Indian independence movement by establishing a framework for dialogue between Indian leaders and the British government. It legitimized the Congress's role in the freedom struggle and provided an opportunity for political engagement at the highest levels. The pact also set a precedent for future negotiations, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue in achieving political goals. However, it revealed the divisions within the Congress regarding strategy and approach, which would influence subsequent movements and negotiations, including the Quit India Movement. Ultimately, the pact served as a turning point, highlighting the complexities of the struggle for independence and the ongoing need for negotiation amidst rising tensions.