Mahatma Gandhi 1915-1948
Champaran Satyagraha
Mahatma Gandhi 1915-1948: Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. Gopala Krishna Gokhale appraised him of the then current political situation in India. Gandhi’s initial significant movement against the British was the Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar. He advocated for the rights of Indigo farmers and campaigned for fair prices for their agricultural products. Ultimately, he achieved concessions for the farmers.
In late 1918, he organized a protest against elevated taxes in the Kheda district, which was suffering from famine and flooding, at Nadiad. During this event, Sardar Vallabhai Patel worked alongside Gandhi as a member of the volunteer group. (To access the initialsection of this article, click here: Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1915)
ROWLATT Act
In 1919, the British government passed the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, commonly referred to as the Black Act. This law permits the British authorities to detain individuals without the necessity of a trial or judicial review. The introduction of this legislation provoked considerable outrage among the Indian populace. Gandhi called for Civil Disobedience and Satyagraha, motivating his followers to engage in peaceful protests. On March 30, 1919, gunfire erupted in Delhi. The authorities barred Gandhi from entering the city. Disregarding this order, he was subsequently arrested on April 9. The following day, April 10, a protest took place in Amritsar against the deportation of Satyapal and Saifuddin Kichlu.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
On the Vaishakhi day of April 13, 1919, individuals assembled at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to engage in civil disobedience, unarmed. This gathering included women and children in observance of Vaishakhi. Subsequently, Indian Sepoys, commanded by a British officer, opened fire, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,000 individuals, including infants. Rather than confronting the British brutality, Gandhi advocated for a non-violent response to the situation, recognizing that armed resistance could not overcome the British forces.
In the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Gandhi expanded his nonviolent non-cooperation movement to include the swadeshi policy, encouraging the populace to boycott foreign goods, especially those from Britain. He advocated for all Indians to spin and wear khadi (handwoven cotton fabric) rather than rely on factory-made textiles. Gandhi urged individuals to renounce British institutions and judicial systems, resign from government positions, and forfeit British titles and honors. His objective was to undermine British power economically, politically, and administratively through the method of non-cooperation.
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Non-cooperation movement
The allure of “Non-cooperation” expanded, attracting involvement from various segments of Indian society.
Chauri Chaura incident
Another pivotal occurrence that significantly impacted India’s struggle for independence was the Chauri Chaura incident. On February 2, 1922, individuals assembled to protest against the rising prices of meat as an act of civil disobedience. The authorities responded by taking disciplinary measures and arresting the protest leaders. Consequently, on the 5th, approximately 2000 individuals marched towards the police station. The police opened fire on the demonstrators, resulting in two deaths. This provoked widespread anger, leading to the burning of the police station with 22 officers trapped inside, which ultimately resulted in their demise.
On 10 March 1922, Gandhi was arrested and charged with sedition, resulting in a six-year prison sentence that commenced on 18 March 1922.
While Gandhi was imprisoned, the Indian National Congress split into two factions: one faction, led by Chitta Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru, supported participation in the legislatures, whereas the opposing faction, headed by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, rejected this approach.
Swaraj
In February 1924, Gandhi was released for an appendectomy after serving a year-long prison term. Subsequently, there was a three-year hiatus in the struggle for independence. In 1926, the Congress party once again called upon Gandhiji to lead the freedom movement, promising to uphold his principles of nonviolence. Then, in 1928, the Congress, under the leadership of Bose and Nehru, championed the cause of Poorna Swaraj (Complete freedom).
However, Gandhi preferred not to confront at this point and suggested that we first request Swaraj (Dominion status) from the British. Should they fail to meet our demand within a year, we will strive for total freedom. Thus, the Calcutta Congress in December 1928 decided to campaign for Swaraj (Independence within British rule).
Due to the inaction of the British, on December 31, 1929, the Congress declared the pursuit of Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) as its sole objective, and a newly adopted Tricolor flag was hoisted in Lahore. It was declared that Independence Day would be celebrated each year on January 26, 1930. Since then, Indians have observed India’s Independence Day. Following the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, India was declared a Republic. As a result, January 26 has since been recognized as Republic Day in India.
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Salt Satyagraha and Dandi march
It has been previously observed that Gandhi stepped back from the independence movement when it escalated into violence in 1922.
Subsequently, the leaders of Congress reached an understanding with Gandhi and committed to adhering to his principles of nonviolence.
The resolve and dedication of the Indian populace to expel the British were evident during the notable Salt March to Dandi, which took place from 12 March to 6 April, 1931, where they confronted British aggression through peaceful means.
Gandhi, accompanied by 78 volunteers, traversed 388 kilometres (241 miles) from Ahmedabad to Dandi in Gujarat to produce salt, in defiance of the salt laws. The authorities brutally struck the volunteers on their heads and shoulders with lathis for several hours, leading to over 300 protesters sustaining serious injuries and resulting in two deaths. Throughout this ordeal, the volunteer demonstrators did not engage in any form of physical opposition or resistance. Additionally, more than 60,000 individuals were arrested across the country during this event. It is also significant to note that Jawaharlal Nehru and Sarojini Devi participated in the Dandi march.
The British Government of India consented to release all political prisoners through the Gandhi–Irwin Pact, which was executed in March 1931. Gandhi suspended the civil disobedience movement. He participated as the sole delegate from Congress in the Round Table Conference held in London. A conflict continued between the British authorities and the Congress until 1934. In 1935, the Government of India Act was enacted to facilitate provincial elections, aiming to create a partial democracy in India. As a result, elections were conducted in 1937, and Congress succeeded in forming administrations in most provinces.
Despite this, the British Government of India joined World War II in 1939 without consulting the Legislators. As a result, Congress lawmakers resigned. During this period, the Muslim League passed a resolution in 1940 advocating for the division of the country into two, famously referred to as the two-nation theory.
Quit India Movement
Congress demanded an immediate transfer of authority to the Indian populace. Britain committed to granting Dominion status after the War. On August 8, 1942, Gandhi introduced the slogan “Quit India.” The government responded promptly to quell the protests and arrested all Congress leaders, including Gandhi, within a single day. Nevertheless, the turmoil continued with widespread acts of sabotage, including bomb attacks on military supply convoys, the burning of government buildings, the cutting of power lines, and the disruption of transport and communication systems. The struggle persisted among the populace until the end of 1943. Gandhi was released from prison in May 1944.
During this period, his secretary Mahadev Desai succumbed to a heart attack, his wife Kasturba passed away after 18 months of imprisonment on 22 February 1944, and Gandhi suffered a severe malaria attack.
Let us analyze the police actions directed towards Gandhi ji during the fight for independence.
On 16 April 1917, Gandhi received a notice to leave the Champaran district; however, he was not arrested.
On 10 April 1919, he was detained at Palwal while en route to Amritsar and was subsequently returned to Bombay, where he was released on 11 April.
On 10 March 1922, he was detained near Sabarmati Ashram for writing three articles in Young India. He received a six-year prison sentence and was released from Yervada Jail on 5 February 1924, following a procedure on 12 January 1924.
On 05 May 1930, he was detained at Karadi near Dandi for violating the Salt Law. He was imprisoned without trial and released on 26 January 1931.
On 04 January 1932, he was captured in Bombay and sent to Yervada Jail. He was released on 8 May 1933 after commencing a fast as part of Satyagraha.
On 01 August 1933, he was detained early in the morning in Bombay after his march to Rass and was ordered to leave Yervada by 9:30 a.m. He refused to comply, resulting in a one-year prison sentence. He initiated his Satyagraha on 16 August and was released on 23 August due to a serious health concern.
On 09 August 1942, he was apprehended early in the morning following the adoption of the ‘Quit India’ resolution and was subsequently imprisoned in Agakhan Palace Jail. He was released on 6 May 1944.
Partition of India
Gandhi opposed the partition of the Indian subcontinent on religious grounds.
The Muslim League urged the British to ‘Divide and Leave India.’
On August 16, 1946, Jinnah declared Direct Action Day to enforce Partition in India. This led to extensive violence against Hindus in Calcutta. The police were absent and could not control or avert the turmoil. Additionally, the British government refrained from deploying its military to confront the Muslim rioters.
Gandhi and Nehru reluctantly agreed to the Partition of India. Approximately 500,000 individuals lost their lives due to the violence associated with the partition. Around 1 million people were displaced to either Pakistan or India. The majority of the turmoil occurred primarily in the provinces of Bengal and Punjab. In response to the continuous loss of life, Gandhi undertook a fast that lasted several days to express his grief. He called for peace and the restoration of harmony. On January 30, 1948, an assassin shot and killed Gandhi ji.
Legacy of Gandhi and Nehru
What distinguishes Gandhi and Nehru from others, and the reason for the admiration and reverence they received, is their unwavering commitment during exceptionally challenging times. They remained true to their principles and lived according to their convictions, displaying a remarkable fearlessness in the face of death. Gandhi endured more than 7.5 years in prison, while Nehru faced incarceration for 9.5 years. Nehru furthered Gandhi’s legacy.
Nehru realized Gandhi’s vision of Grama Swaraj by building dams and barrages along river courses to irrigate agricultural land. He dedicated himself to ensuring that India achieved self-sufficiency in heavy industry and defense. Nehru was instrumental in the establishment of IITs, IIMs, ISRO, BARC, and other significant institutions.
Martyr’s Day
Around 350,000 Indians sacrificed their lives in the fight for independence. Gandhi was shot by a political opponent, which ultimately led to his death from gunshot wounds. The Indian Republic honors Gandhi’s profound sacrifice on Martyr’s Day.
Anarchist
Philosophically, Gandhi advocated for the complete abolition of the State. He held the belief that society, and consequently the nation, should operate under a system of trusteeship. This reflects a form of laissez-faire governance.