Q. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?
1.Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference
2.Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
3.Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
4.Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 1, 2 and 4 only
c) 3 only
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Correct Answer : b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2020 GS Paper
Explanation:
Gandhi-Irwin Pact
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, signed on March 5, 1931, was a political agreement between Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress, and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India. The pact was a significant step in the Indian independence movement, marking the end of the Civil Disobedience Movement and setting the stage for further negotiations on India’s future.
Key Provisions of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact
1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference: This was one of the main outcomes of the pact. The British Government agreed to invite the Indian National Congress to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London as a representative of the Indian people.
2. Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement: The British Government agreed to withdraw all ordinances and end prosecutions that had been enacted to curb the civil disobedience movement. This was a significant concession, as it meant the cessation of legal actions against thousands of nationalists.
3. Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses: While the pact did not explicitly include a clause for an enquiry into police excesses, Gandhi’s concerns about the treatment of protesters and the need for such an enquiry were acknowledged during the discussions. However, this was not a formal part of the agreement.
4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence: The British Government agreed to release all political prisoners who had not engaged in violence during the Civil Disobedience Movement. This was a major demand from Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, although it did not extend to prisoners charged with violent activities.
