Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Opposition within Congress:
Many Congress leaders were reluctant to boycott the council elections scheduled for November 1920. They also feared that the movement might lead to popular violence, making them hesitant to support the programme.

Gandhi's persuasion:
Gandhi argued (based on Hind Swaraj, 1909) that British rule survived only through Indian cooperation; if Indians refused to cooperate, it would collapse and swaraj would come within a year. He proposed a staged programme — surrendering titles, boycotting civil services, courts, schools, and foreign goods — with civil disobedience only if repression followed. After intense debate (September–December 1920), a compromise was reached and the programme was adopted at the Nagpur session (December 1920).

Source: Chapter 2, Section 1.3 — Why Non-cooperation?

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• The question has two clear parts: (1) opposition arguments, and (2) Gandhi's persuasion — address both explicitly.
• Examiners look for: council elections boycott fear + fear of violence (opposition); Hind Swaraj argument + staged programme (Gandhi's case); mention of Nagpur compromise.
• Do not confuse Calcutta (September 1920) special session with Nagpur (December 1920) annual session — both are relevant but Nagpur is where the final adoption/compromise happened.
• Keep answers tight; at 3 marks, ~70–80 words is sufficient.