The Chauri-Chaura incident was a watershed moment in the Indian freedom struggle. A peaceful protest against rising food prices and liquor sales was fired upon by the police. In retaliation, the mob set the police station on fire. Gandhi, committed to the principle of absolute non-violence (Ahimsa), felt that the country was not yet spiritually prepared for mass civil disobedience. His decision to suspend the movement from Gorakhpur shocked many leaders but reinforced the moral foundations of his leadership and the Satyagraha method.