The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was an agreement signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi and the British Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin. The pact aimed to end the civil disobedience movement launched by Gandhi in 1930, and to initiate a dialogue between the Indian National Congress and the British government.
The following are the key agreements reached in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact:
1. Suspension of Civil Disobedience Movement: The pact marked the end of the Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Gandhi in 1930. The Congress agreed to suspend the movement, and the British government agreed to release all political prisoners arrested during the movement.
2. Participation in Second Round Table Conference: The British government invited the Indian National Congress to participate in the Second Round Table Conference, which was a series of meetings held in London to discuss India`s constitutional reforms.
3. Recognition of Congress as a Political Party: The British government recognized the Indian National Congress as a legitimate political party, and agreed to allow it to participate in the electoral process.
4. Naval Mutiny: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact also addressed the issue of the Naval Mutiny that took place in 1946, when Indian sailors refused to follow British orders. The British government agreed to grant amnesty to all the sailors who participated in the mutiny.
5. Dismissal of Civil Disobedience Cases: The pact also ensured that all cases related to the Civil Disobedience Movement would be dismissed, and those who were convicted would have their sentences commuted.
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was a significant step towards India`s independence from British rule. It paved the way for further negotiations between the Congress and the British government, leading to the formation of the Indian Constitution and India`s eventual independence in 1947. The agreement also demonstrated the power of peaceful negotiation and dialogue in resolving conflicts, rather than relying on violence and civil unrest.