A departure from non-violence

The Chauri Chaura incident, which took place on February 5, 1922, in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, was a significant event in India's struggle for Independence. This incident led to a violent confrontation between Indian protesters and British police, resulting in the tragic death of 23 policemen. The aftermath of this event had a profound impact on Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement, leading to its abrupt suspension.

By 1922, the Non-Cooperation Movement, launched in 1920, had gained tremendous momentum across India. The movement aimed to resist British rule peacefully through non-violent protests, boycott of foreign goods and refusal to pay taxes. However, in several places, public anger against British oppression was rising and small incidents of violence had begun to surface.

Chauri Chaura, a small town, was one of the many places where Indian nationalists were actively protesting against British rule. Farmers, traders and ordinary citizens of the region were deeply affected by British policies, particularly high taxes and economic hardships.

On February 5, 1922, around 2,000-2,500 protesters gathered at Chauri Chaura to demonstrate against British policies. The protesters, inspired by the call for non-violent resistance, began marching towards the local police station, raising slogans against the British government.

The protest, however, turned violent when the British police attempted to disperse the crowd. The police, under the command of Sub-Inspector Gupteshwar Singh, fired upon unarmed protesters, killing three and injuring several. This enraged the crowd, which retaliated by chasing the policemen, who retreated into the police station.

In a fit of anger, the protesters set the police station on fire, trapping 23 policemen inside. All of them were burned alive. The event marked a significant departure from the non-violent principles of the freedom movement, causing deep concern among Indian leaders.

The British government reacted swiftly, arresting hundreds of people suspected of participating in the attack. A total of 228 people were tried and 172 were sentenced to death. However, after legal appeals and public outcry, most sentences were reduced and only 19 people were executed in 1923.

The incident disturbed Mahatma Gandhi, who believed in non-violent resistance. He took moral responsibility for the violence and in a shocking move, called off the Non-Cooperation Movement on February 12, 1922. This decision was widely criticised by leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru, who felt that withdrawing the movement after one violent episode was a setback for the freedom struggle.

The Chauri Chaura incident marked a turning point in India's Independence movement. It exposed the challenges of maintaining mass movements under strict non-violence and highlighted the growing frustration of Indians under British rule.

Although Gandhi's decision to call off the movement disappointed many nationalists, it reinforced his commitment to ahimsa (non-violence). The sacrifices made by the people of Chauri Chaura were not forgotten. In 1973, a memorial was built in their honour, and in 2021, the Indian government launched the Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations to mark 100 years of the event.

The incident remains a powerful symbol of India's struggle for freedom, reminding the nation of the sacrifices made and the importance of disciplined, non-violent resistance in the fight against oppression.