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Question

The call for ‘renunciation of (all) voluntary associations with the (British) Government’ was given during

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

Non-Cooperation Movement

Understanding Renunciation in Indian Independence Struggle

The question asks about the historical period when the call was made for people to give up their voluntary associations with the British Government. This concept, the 'renunciation of all voluntary associations with the British Government', was a significant strategy employed during India's struggle for independence. It essentially meant a boycott of British institutions, goods, and honours.

Let's look at the options provided and see which movement best fits this description.

Analyzing the Options and the Call for Renunciation

  1. Non-Cooperation Movement: Launched in 1920, this movement was a major turning point. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, it explicitly called for non-cooperation with the British government through various means. The program of the Non-Cooperation Movement included:
    • Surrender of titles and honours granted by the British.
    • Boycott of British courts and government schools.
    • Boycott of foreign goods.
    • Refusal to attend government functions.
    • Resignation from government service (in some cases).
    This comprehensive program directly embodies the idea of 'renunciation of all voluntary associations with the British Government'. People were asked to sever their ties with the British administration and institutions to cripple the government and assert Indian will.
  2. Civil Disobedience Movement: This movement, beginning notably with the Salt March in 1930, involved breaking specific laws deemed unjust. While it also included elements of non-cooperation and boycott, the central theme was civil disobedience – the deliberate and peaceful violation of laws. The call for 'renunciation of all voluntary associations' was more the defining characteristic of the Non-Cooperation Movement's strategy to undermine the government's authority through withdrawal of support.
  3. Quit India Movement: Launched in 1942 during World War II, this movement demanded an immediate end to British rule in India ("Quit India"). It was characterized by mass protests and acts of defiance, but the core demand was the complete withdrawal of the British, rather than a focused program of renouncing associations, which was a hallmark of the earlier Non-Cooperation Movement.
  4. Protest against partition of Bengal: The protest against the partition of Bengal (1905) gave rise to the Swadeshi Movement. This movement focused heavily on the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian (Swadeshi) products and institutions. While boycott of goods is a form of renunciation of association (with British trade), the call for 'renunciation of all voluntary associations with the Government' was a broader and more encompassing programme seen during the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Comparing the movements, the core philosophy and detailed program of the Non-Cooperation Movement align most directly and comprehensively with the call for the 'renunciation of all voluntary associations with the British Government'. It aimed at dismantling British power and influence by withdrawing Indian participation and support from their systems.

Conclusion

Based on the nature and program of each movement, the call for the 'renunciation of (all) voluntary associations with the (British) Government' was a central theme and strategy of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Comparison of Key Movement Strategies
Movement Primary Focus/Strategy Relation to 'Renunciation of Associations'
Non-Cooperation Movement Non-cooperation, withdrawal of support from British institutions Direct call for boycotting government schools, courts, titles, jobs - a comprehensive renunciation.
Civil Disobedience Movement Peaceful breaking of specific laws (e.g., salt laws) Included boycotts, but primary focus was law-breaking.
Quit India Movement Immediate end to British rule, mass protest Demand for complete withdrawal, less focus on systematic renunciation of associations as a primary tactic.
Protest against Partition of Bengal (Swadeshi) Boycott of foreign goods, promotion of Indian goods/institutions Focused on economic boycott and self-reliance, a form of renunciation but narrower than 'all voluntary associations'.

Revision Table: Indian National Movements

Key Indian National Movements and Their Years
Movement Name Approximate Period Key Leaders (Prominent)
Protest against Partition of Bengal (Swadeshi) 1905-1908 Surendranath Banerjee, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Non-Cooperation Movement 1920-1922 Mahatma Gandhi, C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, Ali Brothers
Civil Disobedience Movement 1930-1934 Mahatma Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, C. Rajagopalachari
Quit India Movement 1942-1944 Mahatma Gandhi (led the call), Aruna Asaf Ali, Jayaprakash Narayan

Additional Information on Non-Cooperation Movement Tactics

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) was designed to protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the injustices of the Rowlatt Act. Mahatma Gandhi envisioned it as a non-violent (ahimsa) and truthful (satya) resistance. The call for 'renunciation of associations' was central to the 'non-cooperation' aspect. It was a way to refuse participation in the British system of governance and administration, thereby making it difficult for the British to rule India.

Specific actions included:

  • Students leaving government-run schools and colleges to join national institutions.
  • Lawyers giving up their practices in British courts.
  • People returning their government titles and awards.
  • Boycotting elections to the legislative councils set up by the British.
  • Boycotting foreign cloth and promoting Khadi.

This widespread withdrawal from association was a powerful political tool aimed at pressuring the British government by demonstrating the lack of Indian consent and participation in their rule.

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Similar Questions

  1. In 1943, young leaders in which one of the following districts of Maharashtra set up parallel Government (Prati sarkar) with volunteer corps (Seva dals) and village units (tufan dals)?

  2. Match List-I wish List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

    List-I (Act/ Event)

    List-II (Year)

    A. Rowlatt Act

    1922

    B. Salt March

    1931

    C. Chauri Chaura Incident

    1930

    D. Second Round Table Conference

    1919

  3. In the elections to the provincial legislatures in 1937 in British India:

    1. Only about 10 to 12 percent of the population had the right to vote

    2. The untouchables had no right to vote

    3. The Congress won an absolute majority in five out of eleven provinces

    4. The Muslim League won more than 80 percent of the seats reserved for Muslims

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
  4. On 31st December 1929, in which of the following Congress Sessions was the proclamation of Purna Swaraj made?

  5. Which one among the following was India's first trade union in the proper sense of the term?

  6. Who among the following formed the National Liberation Federation (Liberal Party)?

  7. Directions: The following five (5) items consist of two statements, Statement I and Statement II. Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer using the code given below.

    Statement I: The Communists left the All India Trade Union Congress in 1931.

    Statement II: By 1928, the Communists were no longer working with the mainstream national movement.

  8. Consider the following statements about the Salt March:

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    2. The Salt March was widely covered by the American and European press.

    3. The Salt March was the first nationalist activity in which women participated in large numbers.

    4. The Salt March impressed upon the British the urgent need to devolve more power to Indians.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?
  9. Who among the following gave evidence before the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Bill,1919 in favour of female franchise?

    1. Mrs. Annie Basant

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Important Questions from National movement (1919 - 1939)

  1. Chauri Chaura incident occurred in which year ______.

  2. In which year did Motilal Nehru (Chairman) and eight other Congress leaders draft a constitution for India?

  3. C. Rajagopalachari led the Salt Satyagraha in which of the following states?

  4. Who among the following was one of the founders of the Hindustan Republic Association?

  5. Match the following events of 1920 with their dates before the Non- Co-operation Movement.

    a.Political Conference of Raipuri.April 1920
    b.Anti Rowlatt Act Black
    Day in Bilaspur
    ii.September 1920
    c.First Labour Movement started
    in Rajnandgaon
    iii.17 March 1920
    d.Meeting of leaders of Dhamtari
    in Kandel Village
    iv.20 March 1920
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