Describe the various activities that took place during the first phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement. Why was it withdrawn in March 1931 ?
(a) The various activities that took place during the first phase of the movement were as mentioned below : Violation of salt laws by manufacturing salt. Boycott of foreign cloth. Picketing of liquor shops. Refusal of peasants to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes. Resignation of village officials. Violation of forest laws and going to Reserved forests to collect wood and grazing cattle. (b) Policy of the government : The government adopted a repressive policy. It arrested the Congress leaders. Abdul Gaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Gaiidhiji, was arrested in April 1930. It led to clashes in Peshawar. In police firing many people were killed. In Sholapur, people attacked lawcourts, railway stations and the structures that symbolised the British rule. As a result of repressive policy about 100,000 people were arrested. As a result of government’s repressive policy in which children and women were beaten Gandhiji once again decided to call off the movement. Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 5th March 1931.
