2.3.1. The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement

Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. On 31 January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. Some of these were of general interest; others were specific demands of different classes, from industrialists to peasants. The idea was to make the demands wide-ranging, so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax.

Mahatma Gandhi understood that in order to rally the Indian population for independence, he needed a common issue that affected everyone. Salt was a basic necessity used by both the rich and the poor, and its taxation by the British was seen as a blatant example of colonial oppression. By highlighting the salt tax, Gandhi aimed to draw attention to the larger injustices of British rule and encourage widespread participation in the fight for independence.

Think of how a local community might unite to protest against a shared issue, like a rising tax on utility bills that affects everyone. Just like a town might come together to voice their dissatisfaction at a town hall meeting, Gandhi wanted all Indians to unite against the oppressive salt tax.

Gandhi started his famous salt march accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers. The march was over 240 miles, from Gandhiji’s ashram in Sabarmati to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi. The volunteers walked for 24 days, about 10 miles a day. Thousands came to hear Mahatma Gandhi wherever he stopped, and he told them what he meant by swaraj and urged them to peacefully defy the British.

The Salt March was not just a physical journey but a powerful act of civil disobedience against colonial laws. By walking to the coast to make salt, Gandhi demonstrated that Indians could produce salt for themselves, thereby defying the British monopoly and tax on salt. The march garnered media attention and public support, inspiring many to join the cause and challenge British authority.

Imagine a community leader organizing a walk for justice—people gather, hear speeches, share their stories, and become empowered. Just as that leader's walk brings attention to local issues, Gandhi's Salt March drew national and international attention to India's struggle for freedom.

On 6 April he reached Dandi, and ceremonially violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. People were now asked not only to refuse cooperation with the British, as they had done in 1921-22, but also to break colonial laws.

By manufacturing salt, Gandhi officially began the Civil Disobedience Movement, encouraging more direct action against British laws. This was a shift from non-cooperation to actively breaking unjust laws as a form of protest. Many followed Gandhi's example, leading to mass demonstrations and acts of defiance throughout the country, amplifying the call for independence.

Think of a protest where people deliberately engage in activities that break certain unjust laws—like refusing to pay a fine seen as unfair. By breaking that rule, they make a powerful statement that attracts attention and prompts conversations about justice.

As the movement spread, foreign cloth was boycotted, and liquor shops were picketed. Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes, village officials resigned, and in many places forest people violated forest laws—going into Reserved Forests to collect wood and graze cattle.

The Salt March inspired a wave of civil disobedience across India. People from various walks of life began to challenge British laws and practices that they viewed as oppressive or unjust. This massive mobilization illustrated the growing unity among Indians against colonial rule and the effectiveness of Gandhi's philosophy in encouraging collective action.

Consider how a large-scale movement, like a climate change protest, might prompt people to stop using single-use plastics or refuse to shop from companies that harm the environment. Just as participants in that movement collectively boycott certain products, Indians were motivated to reject British goods to assert their independence.

Worried by the developments, the colonial government began arresting the Congress leaders one by one. This led to violent clashes in many places. When Abdul Ghaffar Khan was arrested, angry crowds demonstrated, facing police firing. Many were killed.

The British government responded to the growing unrest with harsh crackdowns, arresting prominent leaders and attempting to stifle the movement. This violence further inflamed public opinion against British rule, as the brutal treatment of peaceful protestors contradicted the image of British justice and governance.

Think about how authorities sometimes react to protests with force, causing more people to join in out of anger or solidarity. The unjust treatment can rally community support and provoke a stronger, unified response against what they perceive as oppression.

In such a situation, Mahatma Gandhi once again decided to call off the movement and entered into a pact with Irwin on 5 March 1931. By this Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Gandhiji consented to participate in a Round Table Conference, and the government agreed to release the political prisoners.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact marked a strategic pause in the Civil Disobedience Movement, allowing Gandhi to negotiate and continue advocating for Indian rights through diplomatic means. This temporary halt aimed to regroup and plan for future actions while still keeping the conversation for independence alive.

Think of a sports team that decides to take a timeout to strategize during a crucial game. Sometimes, stepping back can provide perspective and allow for more effective future actions. Similarly, Gandhi paused the movement to reassess tactics.

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