Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in the Khilafat Movement (1919–1924), which was a pan-Islamic movement launched by Indian Muslims to protect the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Though it was primarily a Muslim issue, Gandhi saw it as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule.
Gandhi’s Role in the Khilafat Movement:
- Support for Muslim Leaders: Gandhi collaborated with leaders like Maulana Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, who were at the forefront of the movement.
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920): He linked the Khilafat issue with the larger struggle for Swaraj (self-rule), urging Indians to boycott British goods, institutions, and services.
- Unity of Hindus and Muslims: Gandhi believed that Hindu-Muslim unity was essential for India’s independence, and the Khilafat cause helped bridge communal divides.
- Satyagraha & Non-Violence: He promoted peaceful protests and civil disobedience as part of the movement.
Decline of the Khilafat Movement:
- In 1922, Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, where violent protesters killed British policemen.
- In 1924, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk abolished the Caliphate in Turkey, making the movement irrelevant.
- The Hindu-Muslim unity weakened after the movement’s failure, leading to increased communal tensions.
Although the Khilafat Movement ended, it strengthened Gandhi’s leadership in the Indian freedom struggle and demonstrated the power of non-cooperation as a political tool.