The Limits of Civil Disobedience
The section explores how not all social groups were equally inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's concept of swaraj or independence. In the early 1930s, the advancement of the national movement faced challenges, particularly from the dalit community, who began referring to themselves as dalit, meaning 'oppressed', indicating a shift in identity and aspirations. Traditionally overlooked by the Congress due to fears of alienating high-caste Hindus, Gandhi's attempts to integrate them were evident as he called the untouchables harijan, or 'children of God'. He undertook symbolic acts, such as cleaning toilets, to challenge societal norms and promote dignity among the marginalized. Despite these efforts, many dalit leaders, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, sought political empowerment through reserved seats and separate electorates to address systemic discrimination, leading to tensions with Gandhi.
The section also notes the Muslim community’s fluctuating alignments with the Congress party during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Following the decline of earlier unifying movements like Non-Cooperation, a significant portion of Muslims became estranged from the Congress amid rising Hindu-Muslim tensions. Leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah articulated fears regarding the potential dominance of Hindus over Muslims in a united India, advocating for separate electoral representation to protect minority rights.
Thus, the chapter illustrates the complex layers of participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement, revealing how differing identities and aspirations shaped the broader narrative of India's struggle for independence.