During the First World War, Indian merchants and industrialists wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports. To organise business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927. The industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy, and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement when it was first launched. They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods.
After the failure of the Round Table Conference, business groups were no longer uniformly enthusiastic. They were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities, and worried about prolonged disruption of business, as well as of the growing influence of socialism amongst the younger members of the Congress. The industrial working classes did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement in large numbers, except in the Nagpur region. As the industrialists came closer to the Congress, workers stayed aloof. But inspite of that, some workers did participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement, selectively adopting some of the ideas of the Gandhian programme, like boycott of foreign goods, as part of their own movements against low wages and poor working conditions. There were strikes by railway workers in 1930 and dockworkers in 1932. In 1930, thousands of workers in Chotanagpurkers in 1930o Gandhi caps and participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns. But the Congress was reluctant to include workers’ demands as part of its programme of struggle. It felt that this would alienate industrialists and divide the anti-imperial forces.
Another important feature of the Civil Disobedience Movement was the large-scale participation of women. During Gandhiji’s salt march, thousands of women came out of their homes to listen to him. They participated in protest marches, manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. Many went to jail.
Which of the following is true in the context of civil disobedience movement?
Correct Answer :
The Indian industrialists were concerned about disruption of business
Solution :
The correct answer is: The Indian industrialists were concerned about disruption of business
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Analyze the provided text passage:
The second paragraph of the given passage explicitly mentions: "After the failure of the Round Table Conference, business groups were no longer uniformly enthusiastic. They were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities, and worried about prolonged disruption of business..."
2. Evaluate each option based on the passage:
• The Indian industrialists preferred partnership with MNCs: Incorrect. The passage states that industrialists wanted protection against foreign imports and attacked colonial control over the Indian economy.
• The Indian industrialists were concerned about disruption of business: Correct. This directly matches the text which highlights their worry about the prolonged disruption of business.
• The working class rejected the civil disobedience movement: Incorrect. Although they did not participate in large numbers overall, some workers selectively participated, such as in the Nagpur region and Chotanagpur, alongside strikes by railway and dock workers.
• The Round Table Conference was a partial success: Incorrect. The passage describes it as a "failure" rather than a partial success.
Therefore, the statement that Indian industrialists were concerned about the disruption of business is true in the context of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
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