Significance of the Civil Disobedience Movement

Background and Genesis

The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, declared *Purna Swaraj* as the goal of the Congress. Gandhi, after careful consideration, chose salt as the symbolic focus of the movement. The salt tax disproportionately affected the poor, and the government’s monopoly over its production and sale was seen as oppressive. The failure of the Irwin talks in 1929 further solidified the decision to launch the CDM.

Key Events and Phases

• Dandi March (1930): On March 12, 1930, Gandhi embarked on the Dandi March, a 240-mile walk from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, to make salt in defiance of the British salt laws. This act ignited the CDM across the country.
• Salt Satyagraha: Following Gandhi’s lead, people across India began making salt illegally, leading to mass arrests.
• Boycott of Foreign Goods: Alongside salt making, a nationwide boycott of foreign goods, particularly British textiles, was launched.
• Chaukidi Satyagraha: Villagers refused to pay land revenue and taxes.
• Forest Satyagraha: Tribal communities engaged in non-violent resistance against forest laws restricting their access to forests.
• First Round Table Conference (1930-31): The British government convened the first Round Table Conference in London, but the Congress refused to participate, demanding the unconditional release of leaders and recognition of the Congress as the representative of the Indian people.
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931): Negotiations between Gandhi and Lord Irwin led to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which resulted in the release of political prisoners and the Congress’s participation in the Second Round Table Conference.
• Second Round Table Conference (1931): The Second Round Table Conference failed to achieve substantial progress due to disagreements over the issue of separate electorates.
• Resumption of the Movement (1932): Following the failure of the Second Round Table Conference, Gandhi was arrested again, and the CDM was revived. The government responded with harsh repression.

Impact and Significance

• Mass Mobilization: The CDM witnessed unprecedented mass participation from all sections of society – peasants, workers, students, women, and even government officials.
• Women’s Participation: Women played a significant role in the CDM, challenging traditional gender roles and demonstrating their commitment to the freedom struggle.
• Impact on British Rule: The movement put immense pressure on the British government, forcing them to recognize the growing strength of the Indian National Movement.
• Political Awakening: The CDM heightened political consciousness among the Indian people and instilled a sense of national pride.
• Social Reform: The movement also promoted social reform, with emphasis on removing untouchability and promoting communal harmony.
• Limitations: The movement faced limitations, including communal tensions and the inability to fully mobilize all sections of society. The withdrawal of Gandhi in 1934 also led to its gradual decline.

Comparison with Non-Cooperation Movement

Feature	Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22)	Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34)
Focus	Non-cooperation with British institutions	Direct violation of specific unjust laws (e.g., salt law)
Method	Boycott of schools, courts, government services, foreign goods	Salt Satyagraha, boycott of foreign goods, non-payment of taxes
Participation	Primarily upper and middle-class participation	Wider participation from all sections of society, including peasants and workers
Outcome	Limited success, suspended due to Chauri Chaura incident	Significant impact, forced British to negotiate and recognize Congress