Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement: [Modern History]

I. The Congress declared the attainment of ‘Swaraj’ by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if ‘Swaraj’ did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is Both I and II.

Let us analyze both statements in the context of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) to understand why they are correct:

Statement I: At the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress in December 1920, a key constitutional amendment was adopted. The Congress altered its creed from the attainment of self-government through constitutional means to the attainment of "Swaraj" (self-rule) by all legitimate and peaceful means. This marked a significant shift towards extra-constitutional struggle. Therefore, Statement I is correct.

Statement II: The movement was planned to be launched in stages, beginning with the surrender of titles, boycott of government schools, colleges, courts, and foreign goods. The escalation to civil disobedience, including the non-payment of taxes, was envisioned as a later stage. This extreme step was reserved for a future phase only if the government refused to grant Swaraj within the year and resorted to violent repression against the peaceful movement. Therefore, Statement II is also correct.

Since both Statement I and Statement II are correct, the correct option is "Both I and II".