Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:

“General Dyer’s action at Jallianwala Bagh appears to have been entirely indefensible. He acted after open disorder had ceased in the city for two days; he gave no warning on the spot, but began firing within 30 seconds (of arriving); and he was responsible for grave and unnecessary slaughter. His plea is that he wanted to produce sufficient moral effect throughout the Punjab. Such was not his duty and the effect he has really produced is to create, not only in the Punjab, but throughout India, a bitterness that will take years to eradicate.”
— Lovat Fraser (1871-1926) British journalist

(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in this article led to the launch of which movement? State briefly the other causes of the movement.

(b) What was the impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement?

(c) What led to the withdrawal of this movement? What was Gandhiji’s view about the withdrawal?

(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in the article refers to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This brutal incident led to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Other causes of the movement included the repressive Rowlatt Act, Khilafat movement and the economic hardships faced by the common people.

(b) The impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement were:

1. The National Movement Became a Mass Movement — The Indian national movement, for the first time in history, acquired a real mass base with the participation of different sections of Indian society such as peasants, workers, students, teachers and women.
2. Instilled Confidence Among the People — It generated a desire for freedom and inspired people to challenge the colonial rule.
3. The Congress Became a Revolutionary Movement — It transformed the Indian National Congress from a deliberative assembly into an organisation for action. It became the organiser and leader of the masses in their national struggle.
4. Fostered Hindu-Muslim Unity — It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity which could be seen in the merger of the Khilafat issue with this Movement.
5. Promoted Social Reforms — As a consequence of the Non-Cooperation Movement several steps were taken in the direction of prohibition and removal of untouchability.
6. Spread Nationalism to Every Part of the Country — The Movement gave a new boost to nationalism in India. The Congress organisation was able to reach down to villages.
7. Popularised the Cult of Swaraj — The goal of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to attain Swaraj within the British empire, if possible, and outside, if necessary.

(c) The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn by Mahatma Gandhi after the Chauri Chaura incident, where a violent mob set a police station on fire, leading to the death of 22 policemen. Gandhiji felt that the movement was turning violent in many places. He believed in peaceful and non-violent protests, and the violent turn of events deeply distressed him. As per Gandhiji, "If the thing had not been suspended we would have been leading not a non-violent struggle. The cause will prosper by this retreat."