The Khilafat Movement (1919–1924) was a significant political and religious movement launched by Indian Muslims to protest against the disintegration of the Ottoman Caliphate by the British after World War I. The Caliph, regarded as the religious head of Muslims worldwide, held immense symbolic importance for Muslims in India. When the British threatened to abolish the Caliphate, it triggered widespread anger and discontent among Indian Muslims.
Surprisingly to many, Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu leader known for his principles of non-violence and Satyagraha, decided to support the Khilafat Movement. But why did Gandhiji support the Khilafat Movement, which seemed primarily a religious issue? Let’s explore the reasons behind Gandhiji’s decision, its significance, and its impact on India’s freedom struggle.
1. Desire for Hindu-Muslim Unity
The foremost reason why Gandhiji supported the Khilafat Movement was his strong belief in Hindu-Muslim unity.
- Gandhiji believed that India’s freedom struggle could only succeed if Hindus and Muslims fought together against British colonial rule.
- At that time, communal tensions were growing, and the British followed the policy of “Divide and Rule”, exploiting religious differences.
- By supporting a cause dear to Muslims, Gandhiji hoped to build trust and solidarity between the two major communities.
- He believed that Hindu-Muslim unity was essential for the success of the nationalist movement.
- Gandhiji famously said:
“If the Khilafat movement fails, Hindu-Muslim unity will be broken.”
Thus, his support for Khilafat was a strategic move aimed at uniting Indians against the common colonial enemy.
2. Strengthening the National Movement
Gandhiji recognized that the Khilafat Movement could strengthen the national struggle for independence.
- The Khilafat cause mobilized large sections of Indian Muslims, who were previously not very active in the freedom struggle.
- By merging the Khilafat issue with the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922), Gandhiji expanded the scope of the national movement.
- The unified movement now had the participation of millions, including farmers, traders, students, and Muslim leaders, making it truly national.
- This mass participation posed a greater challenge to British authority, increasing the pressure on the colonial government.
Therefore, Gandhiji supported Khilafat because he saw it as an opportunity to strengthen the anti-colonial struggle by ensuring Muslim participation.
3. Protest Against British Injustice
Gandhiji’s support for the Khilafat Movement was also a stand against British injustice.
- After World War I, despite India’s contributions to the British war effort, the British government continued its oppressive policies in India.
- The harsh terms imposed on the Ottoman Empire after the war were seen as a betrayal of promises made to Indian Muslims.
- Gandhiji felt that opposing British actions regarding the Caliphate would highlight the broader injustices of colonial rule.
- For Gandhiji, the Khilafat cause represented a moral issue, where the British had once again shown disregard for the sentiments of Indians.
Thus, supporting the Khilafat Movement allowed Gandhiji to expose British hypocrisy and rally Indians around the cause of justice.
4. Building a United Front for Swaraj
Gandhiji believed that the combined strength of the Khilafat Movement and the Indian National Movement would create a powerful front against British colonialism.
- He launched the Non-Cooperation Movement alongside the Khilafat agitation, urging Indians to boycott British institutions, foreign goods, and law courts.
- By linking the two movements, Gandhiji transformed what could have been a religious issue into a national political struggle.
- This unity showed the British that Indians, irrespective of religion, were united in their demand for Swaraj (self-rule).
Hence, Gandhiji’s support for the Khilafat Movement was part of his larger strategy to intensify the struggle for independence by uniting all communities.
5. Commitment to Secular and Inclusive Politics
Gandhiji’s support for the Khilafat Movement also reflected his commitment to secularism and inclusive politics.
- Although the Khilafat issue was religious, Gandhiji believed that political freedom could not be separated from the religious sentiments of the people.
- He argued that the national movement should be inclusive, addressing the concerns of all communities.
- Supporting Khilafat was a way to show that the Congress Party represented the interests of all Indians, not just the Hindu majority.
This approach helped build confidence among Muslims and strengthened the secular character of India’s freedom struggle.
6. Personal Conviction and Moral Responsibility
Gandhiji’s personal values also played a role in his support for the Khilafat cause.
- He believed in justice and felt that the British treatment of the Ottoman Caliphate was morally wrong.
- For Gandhiji, supporting the Khilafat Movement was not merely a political strategy but a moral responsibility.
- He believed that standing by the oppressed, regardless of religion, was a duty in the larger fight against colonialism.
Thus, Gandhiji’s support for the Khilafat Movement was deeply rooted in his ethical principles and sense of justice.
7. Long-term Vision for a Unified India
Finally, Gandhiji supported the Khilafat Movement because he had a long-term vision for a united India.
- He understood that communal unity was crucial not only for achieving independence but also for maintaining peace after freedom.
- By allying with the Khilafat leaders, Gandhiji hoped to build a foundation of trust that would ensure Hindu-Muslim harmony in the post-independence era.
- Although the Khilafat Movement eventually lost momentum, Gandhiji’s attempt at building unity left a lasting impact on India’s national consciousness.
Conclusion
Mahatma Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement for a variety of strategic, political, and moral reasons:
- To achieve Hindu-Muslim unity, essential for a successful freedom struggle.
- To strengthen the national movement by bringing Muslims into the fold.
- To protest against British injustice and expose colonial hypocrisy.
- To build a united front that could challenge British authority more effectively.
- To uphold the principles of inclusive politics and secular nationalism.
- As a matter of moral responsibility, standing by those facing injustice.
- To fulfill his long-term vision of a unified, harmonious India.
While the Khilafat Movement did not achieve its immediate objectives, Gandhiji’s support for it played a crucial role in bridging communal divides, laying the foundation for future mass movements, and redefining India’s freedom struggle as a movement for all Indians, regardless of religion or background.a
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
