Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Gandhi-Irwin Pact is the name given to a political agreement concluded by Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India, on 5th March 1931.
Background
- The Second Round Table Conference was to be held in 1931 at London.
- In 1930, the Salt Satyagraha was conducted and India and Gandhi received worldwide attention. The British government in India was criticised for its unjust treatment of Indians.
- Gandhi and many other leaders were imprisoned along with thousands of Indians.
- Lord Irwin wanted the issue to come to an end.
- So, Gandhi was released from prison in January 1931.
- The then Congress President Sardar Vallabhai Patel authorised Gandhi to hold talks with Lord Irwin.
- Accordingly, Gandhi met Irwin and held negotiations. It was for the first time that the two were meeting as ‘equals’.
Terms/features of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact
- The Indian National Congress (INC) agreed to take part in the Round Table Conference.
- The INC would stop the civil disobedience movement.
- Withdrawal of all ordinances that curbed the activities of the Congress.
- Withdrawal of all prosecutions except those involving violent crimes.
- Release of those who were arrested for taking part in the civil disobedience movement.
- Removal of the salt tax.
Effects of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact
- The INC participated in the Second Round Table Conference which was held in 1931 during September – December.
- The government agreed to withdraw all ordinances.
- It agreed to release all political prisoners save those involved in violence.
- It agreed to allow peaceful picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops.
- It agreed to revoke the ban on the INC.
- It agreed to restore the confiscated properties of the Satyagrahis.
- It agreed to permit the collection of salt by people near the sea coasts.
- It agreed to forego fines not yet collected.
- It agreed to the lenient treatment of all government servants who had resigned from service in the wake of the civil disobedience movement.
Demands of Gandhi not agreed to by Irwin
- A public inquiry into police excesses during its suppression of the movement.
- Commuting the death sentences of Bhagat Singh and his associates to life sentences.
