Do you think Mahatma Gandhi's support to Khilafat Movement had diluted his secular credentials? Give your arguments based on the assessment of events.
The Khilafat Movement was started against the dis-membership of Turkey, and the disbanding of the institution of the Caliphate. Gandhiji supported the movement which critics felt was a backward step. But Gandhiji saw it an excellent opportunity for launching a combined offensive against the British and felt that it would give an impetus to Hindu Muslim unity in Inida..
Though, it looked to others as if he was supporting a communal cause, but infact, he was seeking the support of not only the Muslim Leauge but the entire muslim community in Non-Cooperation Movement. He was successful in doing so.
The Khilafat Committee and the Congress agreed upon the triple purpose of
- Non-cooperation;
- satisfactory solution of the Khilafat question,
- redressal of the Punjab and attainment of Swaraj.
As to 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.
It was a very pragmatic step by Gandhi. He harnessed the support of Muslim elite class. He continued his approach of taking along all the classes with himself. The Non-cooperation, and the events of 1919-1920, saw remarkable Hindu-Muslim unity.
Mahatma Gandhi's support to Khilafat in fact re-established his credential as a secular leader. The Muslim league by this time had started branding Indian National Congress as a Hindu body.
The Khilafat Committee too responded to the call, and participated whole heartedly in the Non-Cooperation Movement. The Gandhian strategy of alignment with the Muslim worked exceedingly well for the Hindu-Muslim unity.