Why did Mahatma Gandhi relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement with great apprehension? Explain.

1. Mahatma Gandhi decided to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement as it began to turn violent in many places such as Peshawar and Sholapur. The brutal policy with which the British government responded was equally responsible for Gandhiji’s call.

2. The failure of negotiations at the Round Table Conference in London further added to the bitterness of the situation as Gandhiji came back disappointed.

3. As Gandhiji returned to India, he discovered a new cycle of repression. The new policies of the British government were a major force that led him to relaunch the movement.

4. Gandhiji discovered that major leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Ghaffar Khan were put in jail.

5. The policies of the government further declared the congress illegal and imposed restrictions to prevent meetings, demonstrations, and boycotts. The national situation eventually forced Gandhiji to launch the movement again but with great apprehension.

NOTE – The Civil Disobedience Movement was first launched after Lord Irwin refused to accept the demands stated in Mahatma Gandhi’s letter. The demands were wide-ranging so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign.

The Salt March was followed by boycott campaigns across the country. However, as the government responded with brutal repression, Gandhiji was forced to call off the movement.