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 statements is correct with reference to the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Correct Answer :
Breaking of the salt law, manufacturing salt, and demonstrating it in front of government salt factories
Solution :
The correct answer is: Breaking of the salt law, manufacturing salt, and demonstrating it in front of government salt factories
Step-by-step Explanation:
1. Contextual Analysis of the Passage:
The provided text highlights key features and events surrounding the Civil Disobedience Movement, specifically focusing on the participation of different social groups such as industrialists, workers, and women.
2. Evaluating the Options based on the Civil Disobedience Movement:
- Option 1: The passage explicitly notes that business groups were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities and that Congress was reluctant to incorporate radical workers' demands to avoid alienating industrialists. Hence, encouraging militancy among workers is incorrect.
- Option 2: During the Civil Disobedience Movement (initiated by Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March), key actions included breaking the salt law, manufacturing salt illegally, and protesting/demonstrating in front of government-owned salt factories, as well as picketing foreign cloth and liquor shops.
- Option 3: Industrialists were actually worried about the growing influence of socialism, rather than being urged to accept it.
- Option 4: Since Options 1 and 3 are incorrect, "All of the above" is invalid.
3. Conclusion:
Thus, the correct statement regarding the activities during the Civil Disobedience Movement is Breaking of the salt law, manufacturing salt, and demonstrating it in front of government salt factories.
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