The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following ? 1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference 2. Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement 3. Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses 4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 4 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Why the answer is (b)
• The Gandhi–Irwin Pact (5 March 1931) ended the first phase of Civil Disobedience.
• The Government agreed to withdraw the ordinances issued to curb the movement (2), release prisoners not charged with violence (4), permit peaceful picketing and salt-making near the coast; Congress agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference (1).
• Item 3 is wrong: Irwin refused Gandhi's demand for a public enquiry into police excesses.
• The Pact also did not commute the death sentence of Bhagat Singh, a major criticism.
• Hence 1, 2 and 4 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Ordinance withdrawal and prisoner release were also part of the Pact.
- (c) 3 only
- Item 3 is wrong: the enquiry demand was refused.
- (d) 2, 3 and 4 only
- Item 3 is wrong; item 1 is correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.