Gandhi’s Eleven Demands (January 31, 1930) - UPSC Notes

Gandhi’s Eleven Demands (January 31, 1930) Mahatma Gandhi presented eleven demands to the British government as a final attempt at peaceful negotiation before launching the Civil Disobedience Movement . These demands addressed general public welfare, capitalist interests, and peasant rights . He gave a deadline of January 31, 1930 , for the British to accept them. Categorization of Gandhi’s Eleven Demands 1. Issues of General Interest Reduce expenditure on Army and Civil Services by 50% The British were spending too much on administration while Indians suffered from poverty. Introduce total prohibition (ban on alcohol) The British encouraged alcohol consumption for revenue, but Gandhi wanted to curb it for moral and social reasons. Reform the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) The British police constantly spied on and harassed Indian leaders and activists. Change the Arms Act to allow Indians to hold firearms Indians were not allowed to own weapons, but British officials had no such restricti…