University of Virginia Library

The Non-Co-operation Resolution.

In view of the fact that on the Khilafat
question both the Indian and Imperial Governments
have signally failed in their duty towards
the Musalmans of India, and the Prime Minister
has deliberately broken his pledged word given
to them, and that it is the duty of every nonMoslem
Indian in every legitimate manner to
assist his Musalman brother in this attempt to
remove the religious calamity that has overtaken
him:

And in view of the fact that in the matter
of the events of the April of 1919 both the said
Governments have grossly neglected or failed
to protect the innocent people of the Punjab

and punish officers guilty of unsoldierly and
barbarous behaviour towards them and have
exonerated Sir Michael O'Dwyer who proved
himself directly or indirectly responsible for the
most of the official crimes and callous to the
sufferings of the people placed under his
administration, and that the debate in the
House of Lords betrayed a woeful lack of
sympathy with the people of India and showed
virtual support of the systematic terrorism and
frightfulness adopted in the Punjab and that
the latest Viceregal pronouncement is proof of
entire absence of repentance in the matters of
the Khilafat and the Punjab:

This Congress is of opinion that there can
be no contentment in India without redress of
the two aforementioned wrongs, and that the
only effectual means to vindicate national
honour and to prevent a repetition of similar
wrongs in future is the establishment of Swarajya.
This Congress is further of opinion that
there is no course left open for the people of
India but to approve of and adopt the policy of
progressive non-violent non-co-operation until
the said wrongs are righted and Swarajya is
established.

And in as much as a beginning should be
made by the classes who have hitherto moulded
and represented opinion and in as much as
Government consolidates its power through
titles and honours bestowed on the people,
through schools controlled by it, its law
courts and its legislative councils, and in as
much as it is desirable in the prosecution
of the movement to take the minimum risk
and to call for the least sacrifice compatible
with the attainment of the desired object, this
Congress earnestly advises—

(a) surrender of titles and honorary offices
and resignation from nominated seats in local
bodies;

(b) refusal to attend Government Levees,
Durbars and other official and semi-official
functions held by Government officials or in
their honour;

(c) gradual withdrawal of children from
Schools and Colleges owned, aided or controlled
by Government and in place of such schools
and colleges establishment of National Schools
and Colleges in the various Provinces;

(d) gradual boycott of British Courts by
lawyers and litigants and establishment of

private arbitration courts by their aid for the
settlement of private disputes;

(e) refusal on the part of the military,
clerical and labouring classes to offer themselves
as recruits for service in Mesopotamia;

(f) withdrawal by candidates of their
candidature for election to the Reformed
Councils and refusal on the part of the voters
to vote for any candidate who may despite the
Congress advice offer himself for election; and

(g) the boycott of foreign goods.

And in as much as non-co-operation has
been conceived as a measure of discipline and
self-sacrifice without which no nation can
make real progress, and in as much as an
opportunity should be given in the very first
stage of non-co-operation to every man,
woman and child, for such discipline and self-sacrifice,
this Congress advices adoption of
Swadeshi in piece-goods on a vast scale, and in
as much as the existing mills of India with
indigenous capital and control do not
manufacture sufficient yarn and sufficient
cloth for the requirements of the nation, and
are not likely to do so for a long time to come,
this Congress advises immediate stimulation

of further manufacture on a large scale by
means of reviving hand-spinning in every
home and hand-weaving on the part of the
millions of weavers who have abandoned their
ancient and honourable calling for want of
encouragement.