Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 which was supposed to be completely non-violent.
However, the incident of killing of 22 policemen at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur district of U.P. led Gandhi to stop the movement.
Gandhi was disappointed that people had not imbibed the true spirit of non-violence.
A feeling of great despair came upon the people by the sudden stopping of the movement due to that one incident, but Gandhi asked them to overcome it by following the constructive programme of the Congress.
It was only after a gap of nine years that he again launched a mass civil disobedience movement, starting it with his dramatic Dandi march to break the salt law.
This time around Gandhi prepared the people through his speeches, writings and press interviews in which he exhorted people to carry out the movement by remaining completely non-violent and also appointed leaders in case he and other top rung leaders got arrested.
Gandhi started his march from Sabarmati and by the time he reached Dandi the whole nation had been aroused and was full of hope.
Quotes:
"There is not as yet in India that truthful and non-violent atmosphere which and which alone can justify mass disobedience."
"Some of us err in spite of ourselves. But some others among us sin wilfully."
"I hope, therefore, that by suspension every Congressman or woman will not only feel disappointed but he or she will feel relieved of the burden of unreality and of national sin."
"Let the opponent glory in our humiliation or so called defeat."
"I have faith in the righteousness of our cause and the purity of our weapons. And where the means are clean, there God is undoubtedly present with His blessings. And where these three combine, there defeat is an impossibility."
