"Non-cooperation movement gave new direction and energy to the National Movement:' Explain.
Gandhi inaugurated the Non-cooperation campaign with a bang on 1st August, 1920. At its Nagpur session (December 1920) the Congress approved and ratified the policy of Non-violent, Non-cooperation towards the unjust government.
The Nagpur session is also memorable for the new Congress constitution that was adopted.
The Congress aim of Swaraj was reaffirmed but now explained to mean 'Self-government within the empire if possible and outside if necessary'. Further, the earlier emphasis on the use of 'constitutional means' was substituted by all peaceful and legitimate methods.
The Congress party was organised on modern lines with local Congress Committees at the grass-root village level through sub-divisional, district and provinicial committees with the all India Congress Committee of 350 members at the apex; a Working Committee of 15 was to act as the chief executive.
The new Congress Constitution really marked the beginning of Gandhian era in Indian politics.
As to decide upon the Non-cooperation course of action, the Khilafat Committee in its 6th June, 1920 meeting outlined four stages of non-cooperation viz, resignation of titles and honorary posts, resignation from Civil Services under the government, resignation from Police and Army services and finally Non-payment of taxes.
The Indian National Congress outlined a seven-item programme of Non-cooperation viz, surrender of titles and honorary offices, refusal to attend Government durbars and official function, boycott of government or government aided schools and colleges, boycott of British courts, refusal of all classes to offer themselves for service in Mesopotamia, boycott of elections to provincial and central assembly election, and boycott of foreign goods.
On the constructive side, people were urged to develop the spirit of discipline and self-sacrifice, to set up national educational institutions, decide their disputes through mutual arbitration, take to hand-spinning, hand-weaving and use of Swadeshi goods. Gandhi toured the whole country to whip up enthusiasm of the people.
Wherever Gandhi went he gave an impression to each individual that unless he non-cooperated with the Government he would delay Swaraj. Non-cooperation was probably the first organised effort in the freedom struggle. It moved with a clear vision and strategy to hit and jeopardize the British interest.
Massive participation of the people of all the classes differentiated it from all the previous movements. It definitely gave a new direction and energy to the national movement.