The correct option is 1 and 4 only.
Explanation
Following the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 and his subsequent release from prison in February 1924, Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw from active political agitation. Instead, he focused his energy on the "Constructive Programme" to build the nation from the grassroots level and prepare the masses for the next phase of the struggle.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The promotion of Khadi (home-spun cloth) was a central pillar of Gandhi's constructive work. He viewed Khadi not just as a cloth but as a means to economic self-reliance for the rural poor and a symbol of resistance against British industrial dominance.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Gandhi did not postpone the campaign against untouchability. On the contrary, the removal of untouchability was a primary component of his constructive programme during this period. He believed that political freedom (Swaraj) was meaningless without social reform and the eradication of social evils like untouchability.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Mahatma Gandhi was a staunch advocate of Ahimsa (non-violence). Organizing armed resistance was fundamentally contrary to his ideology. Revolutionary activities involving armed resistance were carried out by other groups (such as the Hindustan Republican Association) during this period, not by Gandhi.
- Statement 4 is Correct: The period following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements saw a rise in communal tensions. Gandhi prioritized Hindu-Muslim harmony as a prerequisite for India's independence. In September 1924, he even undertook a 21-day fast to appeal for communal unity following riots in Kohat and other places.
Key Takeaway:
After 1924, Gandhi focused on the Constructive Programme, which primarily included the promotion of Khadi, the removal of untouchability, and the fostering of Hindu-Muslim unity, while distancing himself from active council politics.