The reorganized Congress that emerged in Bengal in the 1920s adopted diverse methods of mobilization to build up its support base during the non-cooperation Khilafat movement. This chapter examines the nature of Congress interaction with popular politics between 1920 and 1922 when nationalist fervour acquired a great momentum.

The remodelled Congress, which developed strong village links in the wake of non-cooperation agitation, was sustained by ideological and political propaganda. While this initiative went a long way towards guiding the disparate economic grievances and a general anti-British feeling into a non-violent anti-imperialist struggle, equally important was the spontaneous self-mobilization of the masses and their conscious acceptance of the nationalist message of their leaders. The relationship between nationalist propaganda from above and the self-initiative of the people is therefore an interesting area of study.

The Congress leadership adopted various methods to mobilize different social groups and draw them into the non-cooperation movement. In the city of Calcutta, as well as in the countryside, mass meetings emerged as rallying points for a wide cross-section of people. The preliminary agitation among the Muslim masses was conducted by up-country Mohammedan leaders Sahukat Ali, Dr Kitchlew and Rafi-Ud-din Ahmed Qidwai who toured the province and held meetings at the mufassil centres to propagate anti-Turkish Peace Treaty campaigns. During this period several meetings were held to impart the message of boycott and Jehad against the foreigners even in such remote areas as Gunbati in the district of Tippera.