Consider the following statements

1. The civil disobedience movement was the widespread participation of Women.

2. The formation of the Simon Commission was one of the causes of the civil disobedience movement.

3. The goal of the civil Disobedience Movement was Purna Swaraj.

4. The rich peasant communities were not active participants in the civil disobedience movement

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Solution

• Statement 1 is correct: Large scale participation of women was an important feature of the Civil Disobedience Movement. During the Salt March women participated in large numbers, took part in protest marches and manufactured salt.They also picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops • Statement 2 is correct: Indian Statutory Commission/Simon Commission was appointed by the British government in 1927 under the chairmanship of John Simon to review the workings of Government of India Act 1919 and to suggest future measures. The Indians boycotted the Simon Commission because it had no Indian members. The Congress also decided to oppose it and subsequently, Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience Movement. • Statement 3 is correct: Lahore Congress of 1929 declared Poorna Swaraj/complete independence as the national demand and the Congress was determined to reach the goal by mass civil disobedience movements throughout the country. Therefore, Gandhi inaugurated the civil disobedience movement by breaking the Salt Law at Dandi. • Statement 4 is incorrect: The Rich peasants were supporters of the civil disobedience movement. They were hit hard by the trade depression and falling prices. With their income decreasing rapidly, they found it impossible to pay the government’s revenue demand. The government also refused to reduce the revenue demand which led to widespread resentment among the rich peasants.