UPSC Prelims 2020 Question:

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?

1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference
2. Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
3. Acceptance of Gandhiji's suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (Delhi Pact) of 1931 was a political agreement and a provisional settlement between the Indian National Congress and the British Indian Government. Congress was represented by Gandhiji and the Viceroy Lord Irwin represented the Government.
• Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of the Congress agreed:
  • To suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement. So, point 2 is correct.
  • To participate in the second Round Table Conference (September 1931 – December 1931). So, point 1 is correct.
• Irwin on behalf of the Government agreed on:
  • Immediate release of all the political prisoners who were not convicted of violence. So, point 4 is correct.
  • Withdrawal of emergency ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement 
  • Lenient treatment to those government servants who had resigned
  • Right to make salt in the coastal villages for personal consumption only
  • Right to peaceful and non-aggressive picketing
  • Return of all the lands not yet sold to the third parties
  • Remission of all the fines not yet collected
• Irwin turned down two of Gandhiji’s demands:
  • Public inquiry into police excesses. So, point 3 is not correct.
  • Commutation of death sentence for Bhagat Singh and his associates.
    
    

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Indian Freedom Struggle