On February 4, 1922, the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh witnessed violence known as the Chauri Chaura incident in Indian history. A violent conflict flared between protesting British police and Indian villagers, resulting in the demise of 22 police officers, and a police station was set burning. Mahatma Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement after this violence happened.

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What is the Chauri-Chaura Incident?

The Chauri Chaura Incident happened on 4 February 1922 at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur district of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) in British India. The police there shot upon a large group of protesters participating in the non-cooperation movement. In revenge, the protestors attacked and set fire to a police station, killing all of its occupants. The incident led to the demise of three civilians and 22 police officers. Mahatma Gandhi suspended the non-cooperation movement on the national level on 12 February 1922 as an immediate outcome of the incident. Nineteen arrested protestors were condemned to death and 14 to life confinement by the British colonial powers.

Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement when The Chauri-Chaura incident happened. The movement aimed to obtain self-rule for India by starting cooperation with the British government. Mahatma Gandhi expected a non-violent effort in which Indians would boycott British institutions, goods, and services, showing their dissatisfaction with colonial power. 

By 1922, the campaign had achieved marked momentum, but pressures were also increasing due to the unjust acts of the British leaders and the emotional response of the Indian people. From 1920 onwards, Indians, led by Mahatma Gandhi, were engaged in a nationwide non-cooperation movement. Using non-violent ways of civil disobedience known as Satyagraha, protests were organized by the Indian National Congress to question dictatorial government regulatory standards such as the Rowlatt Act, with the ultimate goal of attaining Swaraj.

Events of the Chauri-Chaura Incident

Two days before the incident, on 2 February 1922, volunteers participating in the non-cooperation movement led by a retired soldier of the British Indian Army named Bhagwan Ahir protested against high food prices and liquor sales at Gauri Bazaar. The demonstrators were beaten back by the local inspector Gupteshwar Singh and other police officers. Several leaders were arrested and locked up at the Chauri Chaura police station. 

• A protest against the police was called on 4 February to be held at the bazaar. 
• On 4 February, approximately 2,000 to 2,500 protesters assembled and began marching towards the market lane at Chauri Chaura. They had gathered to picket the Gauri Bazaar Liquor Shop. 
• Armed police were dispatched to control the situation while the protesters marched towards the bazaar, shouting anti-British slogans. 
• In an attempt to frighten and disperse the crowd, Gupteshwar Singh ordered his 15 local police officers to fire warning shots into the air. 
• This only agitated the crowd, which began to throw stones at the police. The conflict involved regional police, who tried to disassemble the populace by firing caution shots.

Police Firing in Chauri Chaura Incident

Three protesters died after the bullet firing of the police officials. This brutal action became the influential cause of the agitation among the protesters.

In reaction, the angry mob struck the police, pushing them to flee to the regional police station. The protesters then set the police station on fire, resulting in the deaths of 22 police officials who were entrapped inside.

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In reaction to the killing of the police, the British colonial leaders declared martial law in and around Chauri Chaura. Several attacks were executed, and hundreds of people were arrested. Disgusted at the outrage, Mahatma Gandhi went on a five-day fast. In reflection, Gandhi sensed that he had acted too rashly to motivate people to revolt against the British colonial government without adequately highlighting the significance of ahimsa (non-violence) and sufficiently preparing the people to exercise self-restraint in the face of aggression. He decided that the Indian people were not prepared and needed practice to do what was required to achieve independence. Mahatma Gandhi was also arrested and condemned to six years of imprisonment but was later discharged in February 1924 on the grounds of his ill health. Comprehending the reasons for the chauri-chaura Incident is important to understand the socio-political conditions of the time and the aspects that contributed to the growing turmoil among the Indian people. The following are the primary reasons why Chauri Chaura Incident happened –

1. British Colonial Approaches: The British colonial government charged cruel rules and regulations that tormented the Indian people, leading to uncontrollable rage.
2. Financial Difficulties: Increasing inflation, unemployment, and nutrition deficiencies are the reasons behind growing frustration.
3. Primary Motivation: The primary motivation for the incident was the detention of several non-cooperation activists, which flared outrage among their followers and led to a conflict with the police.
4. Political Mobilisation: Millions of Indians resonated with Mahatma Gandhi's call for non-cooperation with the British government. The principal motive of the movement was to boycott British goods, schools, and organizations, enabling self-reliance and federal pride.

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Why Did Mahatma Gandhi Withdraw from Non-Cooperation Movement?

Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the non-cooperation movement was started on 5 September 1920 by the Indian National Congress (INC). In September 1920, the party began the Non-Cooperation Policy at the Congress session in Calcutta. It symbolised a new chapter in the history of the struggle for Indian independence. The primary force behind the non-cooperation campaign was Mahatma Gandhi. In March 1920, he penned a manifesto announcing the non-violent non-cooperation movement's principles. Gandhi wanted people, through this manifesto, too. His immediate concern for people was to embrace the values of Swadeshi, adopt Swadeshi practices such as spinning and weaving hands, and act to stop untouchability.

The Chauri Chaura incident greatly affected the non-cooperation movement. On February 12, 1922, Mahatma Gandhi called for its suspension, stunned by the brutality, considering people required more preparation for disciplined satyagraha. This decision split the Indian National Congress, resigning chiefs like Jawaharlal Nehru, who were surprised as the civil opposition had hardened their position. In reaction, Motilal Nehru and CR Das voiced their grief and started the Swaraj Party. The following are why Gandhiji withdrew the non-cooperation after the Chauri Chaura Incident.

Responsibility to Non-violence (Ahimsa)

Gandhi's responsibility for non-violence was the foundation of his philosophy. He thought that exact resistance could only be completed peacefully and that brutality would damage the movement's principled authority.

Require for Introspection

Gandhi noticed the suspension of the movement as a possibility for re-evaluation and introspection of plans to ensure observance of non-violence.

Chance of Other Violence

Gandhi worried that the incident at Chauri Chaura could lead to a rotation of violence, with retaliatory steps by both the Indian protesters and British authorities.

Preserving Public Trust

Gandhi was worried that continued brutality could erode public trust in the movement and estrange sensible supporters who respected peaceful protest.

Significance of Chauri-Chaura Incident

Mahatma Gandhi felt that people had not learned or fully understood the method of non-violence. Incidents like Chauri-Chaura could lead to the excitement and fervor that would make the movement generally violent. A violent movement could be quickly suppressed by the colonial regime, which would make the incidents of violence an excuse for using the armed might of the state against the protestors. The Chauri Chaura incident significantly impacted the non-cooperation movement. On February 12, 1922, Mahatma Gandhi, shocked by the violence, called for its suspension, believing people needed more preparation for disciplined satyagraha. 

A capacity of 228 people were brought to trial on charges of 'rioting and arson' about the Chauri Chaura incident. Out of the said number, 6 people passed in police custody, while 172 were condemned to death by hanging. This led to widespread protests, and Indian Communist leader M.N. Roy termed it as 'legalised murder' and called for a public strike of the Indian workers. On 20 April 1923, the Allahabad High Court examined the death judgments. The Court approved nineteen death sentences while 110 were sentenced to confinement for life, and others were convicted to long jail terms. 

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