Explanation: The Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in September 1920 was a significant event in the history of the Indian independence movement. This session was held in the backdrop of the Khilafat movement, which was a pan-Islamic, political protest campaign launched by Muslims in British India in 1919. The movement aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, which was seen as the spiritual leader of the global Muslim community. The Khilafat movement was particularly important to the Muslim community in India, and it sought to protect the rights of the Ottoman Caliph, who was under threat following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I.
Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, saw an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims under a common cause. He proposed a non-cooperation movement, which would involve the withdrawal of cooperation from British institutions and the promotion of indigenous goods and institutions. This movement was aimed at achieving swaraj, or self-rule, for India. The non-cooperation movement was a significant phase in the Indian independence struggle, and it marked a shift from the moderate approach of the Indian National Congress to a more radical and mass-based movement.
The non-cooperation movement was characterized by several key actions, including the boycott of British educational institutions, law courts, and legislative councils, as well as the promotion of khadi (hand-spun cloth) and the use of indigenous goods. The movement also involved the promotion of the use of Hindi and the adoption of the Indian calendar. The non-cooperation movement was a significant step towards the Indian independence struggle, and it helped to mobilize a large section of the Indian population against British rule.
The Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1920 was a turning point in the Indian independence movement. Mahatma Gandhi's proposal for a non-cooperation movement was accepted, and this movement became a crucial phase in the struggle for Indian independence. The movement was aimed at both the Khilafat cause and the broader goal of swaraj, and it marked a significant shift in the approach of the Indian National Congress towards achieving independence from British rule.