Lala Lajpat Rai returned to Lahore after the Calcutta Congress session. The Non-Cooperation Movement had begun. But Lalaji took no part in it. He was doubtful about its effectiveness although he found that students were greatly enthused by it and were taking part in it in large numbers. The students were boycotting the classes to lend support to the movement and take part in it Lalaji didn’t approve of it.
Then Congress session was held in Nagpur. In this session Lala Lajpat Rai was persuaded to join the on going movement. The prominent leaders were expected to the arrested. So, at some stage they thought that Lalaji will be forced to lead the movement. The responsibility of the movement in Punjab was put on Lala Lajpat Rai.
Lalaji toured Punjab accompanied by thousands of students collecting funds for ‘Tilak Swaraj Chest’. They collected 9 lac rupees. Lalaji founded National College to educate the youth and at the same time to create a force of dedicated workers for the movements. Congress party captured all seats in Lahore Municipal elections. For leading the movement, Lala Lajpat Rai was arrested on 2nd December, 1921.
On 20th February 1922 he was sentenced to two years of imprisonment. In a message to the countrymen he said—
‘When I had left American shores I knew that I won’t be allowed to remain free for long. I had told my friends in America that the opportunity to work with the countrymen even for six months would be cherishable. By God’s grace it so happened. I am happily going to prison. I believe that whatever I have done so far was the will go God. I have no doubts and no fear. The path I chose is the correct one. Our success is certain. I will be released soon to enable me to go back to my mission again. So, I believe. If it does not come true I will go to the Creator who sent me into the world. I won’t hesitate to go to Him.”
Ahmedabad session of Congress appointed Gandhiji as the ‘Dictator’ of the new ‘Civil Disobedience’ movement meant to invigorate the ongoing Non-Cooperation movement.
On 1st February, 1922 Gandhiji issued an ultimatum to the Viceroy, Lord Reading. The ultimatum said—
“The political workers arrested by the British government of India, in various movements must be released within a week if they are not involved in violent acts. The government must give assurance that the incidents of Punjab will be probed impartially and the Congress would be free to continue its non-violent movement to achieve full freedom. If the government does not give assurance to that effect we shall start ‘Civil Disobedience Movement.’
The government gave no assurance within ultimatum dead line. Civil Disobedience Movement began. The movement picked up a stormy speed and in no time it had swept the country. Only two days hence, a mob of charged up workers set a police station on fire in which 22 policemen were holed up. They got burnt to death. Gandhiji wanted no violence. He got so shocked and anguished that he declared the movement suspended.
The countrymen were shocked at this turn around. Most of the leaders criticised Gadhiji’s action. But the follower of non-violence had his own reasons and principles to stick to. Lalaji also thought that Gandhiji’s act was wrong. He was in jail then.
Gandhiji was arrested on 10th March, 1922 on the charge of inciting discontent against the government.
Meanwhile, Lala Lajpat Rai received the news of the death of his father, Radhakrishan. The news saddened him. The grief affected his health. He became sick. On health reasons he was shifted to salubrious Dharamshala but it made no difference. He was released from jail on 16th August, 1923.
In the same year, there was split in the Congress. Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das formed ‘Swaraj Party’. Subhash Bose was the young force in the party. Lala Lajpat Rai also sided with them.
He was elected to Central Assembly in December, 1925.
Lalaji remained with Swaraj Party only for 4 months. Then he went with Nationalist Party that had 20 members in the Assembly.
In the Assembly Lala Lajpat Rai gave several memorable statement which are still referred to. He supported Home Rule. Lalaji’s social reformer mindset always overshadowed other aspects of his character. He fearlessly opposed all the traditions that were detrimental for the Hindu society. He tried to get the child marriage custom abolished and supported widow marriages.
