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Civil Disobedience Movement

Introduction

The Civil Disobedience Movement was an important step in India's fight for freedom from British rule. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, this movement brought people together to peacefully protest (complain or show disagreement) against unfair laws and taxes.

Unlike earlier protests, this one aimed to challenge British power and control in India by refusing to follow their rules. People from all parts of the country joined the movement, standing up for their rights and demanding freedom from outside control.

Background

Before the Civil Disobedience Movement, India was under British rule, and life was tough for many Indians. The British government controlled everything, from the laws to the taxes people had to pay. They also made rules that gave advantage to their own interests while ignoring the needs of the Indian people.

In the 1920s, Indian leaders were growing angry and upset with British rule. The Non-Cooperation Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, had shown that Indians could unite and protest peacefully. However, this movement was stopped after a violent incident in Chauri Chaura in 1922, which left the people feeling sad and hopeless. Despite this setback, the desire for freedom only grew stronger.

By the late 1920s, the British sent a commission (a group of people chosen to discuss and decide something), called the Simon Commission, to discuss reforms (changes to make something better), but it didn’t include any Indian members. This angered Indians, and they protested against it. The Indian National Congress, led by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, demanded complete independence from British rule. In 1929, at the Lahore session of the Congress, they passed the Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution (a formal decision made by a group), declaring that India would no longer settle for anything less than full freedom.

Beginning of the Movement

The Civil Disobedience Movement officially began in 1930, with Mahatma Gandhi taking the lead. Gandhi decided to start the movement by challenging the British salt laws, which made it illegal for Indians to make or sell salt. Salt was a necessary item in every household, and the British had placed a heavy tax on it, making it a perfect symbol of British oppression.

On March 12, 1930, Gandhi and a group of followers began a 24-day march from his ashram (a spiritual or religious retreat) in Sabarmati to the coastal village of Dandi, a journey of about 240 miles. This march, known as the Salt March or Dandi March, attracted nationwide attention (people all over the country took notice). On April 6, 1930, Gandhi reached Dandi and made salt from seawater, breaking the British law. This act of defiance (open resistance) marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

As news of Gandhi’s actions spread, people across the country began making their own salt and refusing to pay taxes. The movement spread fast, with protests, boycotts (refusing to buy or use something) of British goods, and acts of civil disobedience happening all over India. Men, women, and even children participated, showing the unity and determination of the Indian people to fight for their rights.

Spreading of the Movement

After Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March, the Civil Disobedience Movement spread rapidly across India. People from different walks of life joined hands, united by a common goal—to resist British rule. The movement wasn't just about salt anymore; it became a fight against all the unfair laws and taxes imposed by the British.

In towns and villages, people began making salt, just like Gandhi did at Dandi. This simple act of breaking the salt law became a powerful symbol of defiance. But the movement went further. People refused to pay land taxes, boycotted British goods, and avoided using government services. Shops that sold British cloth and goods were picketed, and Indians were urged to buy only locally-made products, known as swadeshi goods.

The movement wasn't confined to big cities. It reached every corner of India, including small towns and rural areas. Farmers refused to pay land revenue, students boycotted British-run schools and colleges, and workers went on strike in factories and railways.

Women, who hadn’t been very active in previous movements, also played a significant role this time. They marched in protests, made salt, and encouraged others to join the movement.

One unique aspect of the Civil Disobedience Movement was how it involved people from all sections of society—rich and poor, urban and rural, men and women. This widespread participation showed the strength of the Indian people and their determination to fight for freedom.

British Response

The British government was alarmed by the spread of the Civil Disobedience Movement. They saw it as a serious challenge to their authority and responded with harsh measures to try to crush the movement.

The first step the British took was to arrest the leaders of the movement. Mahatma Gandhi was arrested in May 1930, just a few weeks after the Salt March. His arrest sparked even more protests and acts of civil disobedience across the country. Other leaders, like Jawaharlal Nehru, were also arrested, but this did not stop the movement. Instead, it motivated more people to join the struggle.

The British government also used force to suppress the movement. Police and soldiers were sent to break up protests and marches. They used batons (called lathis) to beat up protesters, fired tear gas to disperse crowds, and even used bullets in some cases. Thousands of people were arrested and put in jail, including women and children. Many protesters were injured or killed in these clashes.

In some areas, the British government imposed martial law (temporary rule by the military), which gave the authorities even more power to crack down on the movement.

Public gatherings were banned, newspapers were censored, and homes were raided. Despite these repressive measures, the Indian people continued to resist.

The British also tried to negotiate with Indian leaders to end the movement, but the talks often broke down because the British were not willing to meet the demand for complete independence. The harsh response of the British government only strengthened the resolve of the Indian people to continue their fight for freedom.

Key Figures and Their Contributions

The success of the Civil Disobedience Movement was driven by the efforts and leadership of several key figures:

Mahatma Gandhi: He was the heart and soul of the Civil Disobedience Movement. His idea of nonviolent resistance, or Satyagraha, inspired millions to join the movement. Gandhi’s Salt March became the spark that ignited protests across the country. He encouraged people to break unjust laws peacefully, showing that true strength lies in non-violence.
Jawaharlal Nehru: A prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, actively participated in the movement. He traveled across the country, inspiring people to join the struggle for freedom. Nehru was arrested several times, but his determination never wavered. His speeches and writings motivated many young Indians to take part in the fight against British rule.
Sarojini Naidu: Sarojini Naidu, known as the “Nightingale of India,” played a significant role in the Civil Disobedience Movement. She led the Dharasana Salt Satyagraha after Gandhi’s arrest, where she and other protesters faced brutal police action. Naidu’s leadership encouraged many women to step out of their homes and participate in the movement, making it one of the first major movements to see widespread involvement of women.
Subhas Chandra Bose: Although Subhas Chandra Bose had differences with Gandhi on the method of achieving independence, he supported the Civil Disobedience Movement. Bose’s strong stance on complete independence resonated with many Indians, and he played a key role in mobilizing people, especially in Bengal and other regions.
C. Rajagopalachari: A close associate of Gandhi, led the Salt March in the southern part of India. His march to Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu was modeled after Gandhi’s Dandi March and played a significant role in spreading the movement in the southern states.

Impact of the Movement

The Civil Disobedience Movement had a profound impact on India’s struggle for independence and left a lasting legacy:

Increased National Unity: The movement brought together people from all parts of India—men and women, rich and poor, young and old. It created a sense of national unity and a shared purpose, which was crucial in the fight against British rule. For the first time, the idea of a united India fighting for its rights became a reality.
Weakening British Authority: The movement was a direct challenge to British authority. By refusing to obey British laws, the Indian people showed that they no longer accepted British rule. The huge number of protestors forced the British to be aware of the Indian people demanding independence.
International Attention: The Civil Disobedience Movement caught the attention of the world. Newspapers and leaders from other countries began to take note of India’s struggle for freedom. Gandhi’s non-violent approach was especially admired, and it inspired other movements for civil rights and freedom around the globe.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact: The British government realized that they could not ignore the demands of the Indian people. This led to the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931, where the British agreed to release political prisoners and allowed Indians to make their own salt. Although the pact did not grant India independence, it was an important step towards future negotiations.
Strengthening the Freedom Movement: The Civil Disobedience Movement strengthened the overall freedom struggle. It showed the Indian people that they could stand up to the British and resist oppression. This momentum continued into future movements, ultimately leading to India’s independence in 1947.
Inspiration for Future Movements: The principles of non-violence and civil disobedience that Gandhi promoted became a powerful tool for other movements around the world. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States and Nelson Mandela in South Africa were inspired by Gandhi’s methods in their own fights for justice and equality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the Civil Disobedience Movement?

The Civil Disobedience Movement was a campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress to protest against British rule in India. It involved refusing to follow certain laws and regulations imposed by the British government as a way to challenge their authority.

2. Why did the Civil Disobedience Movement start?

The movement started to oppose British laws and taxes that were unfair to Indians. It began with Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March in 1930, where he made salt from the sea to defy the British monopoly on salt production.

3. What were some of the main actions taken during the movement?

People made their own salt, refused to pay taxes, boycotted British goods, and avoided using government services. Many also protested by picketing shops that sold British goods and promoted locally-made products known as swadeshi.

4. What was the impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement?

The movement increased national unity, weakened British authority, and drew international attention to India's struggle for independence. It also led to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931, which was a step toward further negotiations with the British.

5. Did the movement achieve immediate independence for India?

No, the movement did not immediately achieve independence. However, it played a crucial role in building momentum for the independence movement, which eventually led to India gaining independence from British rule in 1947.

References

Written by Saanvi Arora

As a second-year law student at IIM Rohtak, Saanvi Arora is deeply passionate about exploring the nexus of law, public policy and society. With keen interests in areas like ADR, Data Protection Law, Company Law and Public International Law, she is a curious and dedicated to understanding how legal principles impact everyday life.