Question

Explain the Khilafat Movement with reference to its:
(a) Aims.
(b) Programme.
(c) Impact.

Answer 1

a) Aims:

The Muslim population in India started a powerful agitation known as Khilafat Movement, under the leadership of the Ali brothers- Mohammed Ali and Shaukat Ali-Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan and Hasrat Mohani in order to support the Sultan of Turkey who was also their religious head.

b)Programme:

The Khilafatists formed a three point programme

a) the Ottoman Caliph should retain his empire; b) the Caliph must be left with sufficient territory to enable him to defeat the Islamic faith; and c) the Arab lands (Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Palestine) must remain under the Muslim rule. 'Khilafat Day' was observed on October 17, 1919 on an all India scale.

Gandhiji saw in Khilafat Movement an opportunity for uniting Hindus and Muslims . Mahatma Gandhi was elected as President of the All India Khilafat Conference in November 1919. He advised the Khilafat Commitee to adopt a policy of Non-Cooperation with the Government.

c) Impact:

By August 31, 1920, the Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement started. People resigned from government services ; shops selling goods were picketed; students boycotted schools and colleges and hartals and demonstrations were held. By the end of 1920, the Khilafat Movement and the Congress Non-Cooperation Movement merged into one nationwide movement.

In 1921, the Khilafat Committee appealed to all the Muslims not to join the police and armed forces and not to pay taxes. This enraged the government. The Ali brothers were arrested on charges of sedition. The Khilafat and the Congress volunteer were declared illegal. Unfortunately the whole movement was abruptly called off on February 12, 1922, at Gandhiji's insistence, following the news of the Chauri Chaura incident.