Gandhi Irwin Pact UPSC Notes: History, Outcomes, & Importance

The Gandhi Irwin Pact was an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin in 1931. This pact aimed to resolve the civil disobedience movement and ease political tensions in India. Under the agreement, the Indian National Congress agreed to suspend the civil disobedience movement. The British government promised to release political prisoners. It also allowed Indians to take part in the Round Table Conferences. The Gandhi Irwin Pact played a big role in India's fight for freedom. 

Source: Indian Culture Portal

This article on Gandhi Irwin Pact will help you to prepare for the Prelims and Mains stage of the UPSC IAS/IPS exam. In this article, we will focus on the Background and Significance of the Pact in India’s Freedom Struggle.

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What was Gandhi Irwin Pact?

The Gandhi Irwin Pact was also known as the Delhi Pact. It was an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress, and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, on 5th March 1931. The pact was a significant development in the Indian independence movement.

Background of Gandhi Irwin Pact

• Between March and April 1930, Gandhiji and his followers initiated the Salt March and started the Civil Disobedience movement against British rule.
• Lord Irwin, then Viceroy of India, tried to offer a dominion status for India.
• Mahatma Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned for making salt during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Besides Gandhiji, thousands of Indian political leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, were imprisoned by the end of 1930.
• The British Officers tried to crush the movement, and Irwin was looking for a way to end it.
• In January 1931, Gandhiji and other rulers were unconditionally released from their custody.
• Irwin invited Gandhiji for negotiations.
• The then President of the Congress, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, authorized Gandhiji to conduct negotiations with Lord Irwin on behalf of the Indian National Congress.

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Conditions Proposed in the Gandhi Irwin Pact

• Suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement: The Indian National Congress agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and its associated activities.
• Release of Political Prisoners: The British government agreed to release political prisoners who had been detained during the Civil Disobedience Movement, except those involved in violent activities.
• Participation in the Second Round Table Conference: The Indian National Congress agreed to take part in the Second Round Table Conference to discuss constitutional reforms for India's future.
• Right to Make Salt: Indians were granted the right to produce and sell salt for domestic use, subject to specific regulations.

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Outcomes of the Gandhi Irwin Pact

• The deal prepared the path for the Government of India Act 1935, which relaxed the diarchy and permitted a larger number of Indian legislators to enter the two houses of the central legislature.
• Gandhiji agreed to attend the second Round Table Conference in London as a Satyagrahi.
  • The members of the CWC attended the second conference held in September 1931.
• The pact cemented the Indian National Congress’s status as a political force with the support of millions of Indians.
• All the ordinances that prohibited peaceful protests were revoked.
• Lord Irwin agreed to release those who had been imprisoned during the movement.
  • Jailed leaders under the Civil Disobedience Movement were released, and their confiscated properties were returned.
• Mahatma Gandhi also agreed to give up the satyagraha campaign.
• Restrictions in dealing with indigenous salt produced at the Indian sea coasts were lifted. This Pact allowed Indians to make salt for their domestic use.
• Following the successful easing of the diarchy provision in 1935, the elections in Indian provinces in 1937 gave authority to elected Indian MPs.

Read about the Freedom Fighters of India and their Contribution here!

Demands Unaccepted by Irwin

Though Lord Irwin agreed to negotiate with Gandhiji, he was firm on upholding the British stand. During the negotiations, a few demands were not accepted by Lord Irwin. They are as follows:

• Gandhiji demanded a public inquiry should be done to look into police excesses made during the suppression of the movement. This demand was left unaccepted.
• Besides, Gandhiji’s demand to commute the death sentences of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru to life sentences was also not accepted.

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Significance of the Gandhi Irwin Pact

• The pact marked a significant moment when the British government recognized the Indian National Congress as a legitimate political entity representing Indian interests.
• The pact provided temporary relief by suspending the Civil Disobedience Movement and releasing political prisoners. It aimed to create an atmosphere of reconciliation between the British government and the Indian National Congress.
• The pact enabled the Indian National Congress to take part in the Second Round Table Conference and present their demands for constitutional reforms directly to the British government.
• The pact was a symbolic victory for Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent methods of protest and negotiation. It demonstrated that the British government was willing to engage in dialogue with Indian leaders.

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