Satyagraha as a Strategy in the Indian National Movement

The Genesis and Philosophical Foundations of Satyagraha

Gandhi’s concept of Satyagraha was deeply influenced by several sources, including Hinduism (Ahimsa – non-violence), Jainism, and Leo Tolstoy’s advocacy of non-resistance. It rested on the belief that unjust laws and systems could be challenged through non-violent means, appealing to the conscience of the oppressor. Key tenets included:

• Truth (Satya): The ultimate principle, demanding honesty and integrity.
• Non-violence (Ahimsa): Abstaining from physical violence in thought, word, and deed.
• Self-suffering (Tapasya): Willingness to endure hardship and suffering rather than inflict it on others.
• Non-cooperation: Refusal to cooperate with an unjust system.

Phases of Satyagraha in the Indian National Movement

1. Early Phase (1917-1922): Champaran, Kheda, and Non-Cooperation Movement

Gandhi’s initial experiments with Satyagraha in India began with localized struggles in Champaran (1917) against indigo planters and Kheda (1918) against oppressive land revenue policies. These successes laid the foundation for the first nationwide Satyagraha campaign – the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922). This involved boycotting British goods, institutions, and titles, and promoting Swadeshi. While initially successful, the movement was suspended after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922), where violence erupted.

2. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)

The Civil Disobedience Movement, launched with the Dandi March (1930) against the salt monopoly, marked a more direct challenge to British authority. Gandhi’s symbolic breaking of the salt law inspired widespread defiance across the country. The movement involved mass arrests, picketing of shops selling foreign goods, and refusal to pay taxes. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) temporarily suspended the movement, but it was revived in 1932. The movement was called off in 1934 due to internal differences and the perceived lack of progress.

3. Quit India Movement (1942)

Launched during World War II, the Quit India Movement was the most radical and widespread Satyagraha campaign. Gandhi’s ‘Do or Die’ call galvanized the nation, leading to mass protests and civil disobedience. The British responded with brutal repression, arresting thousands of leaders, including Gandhi. Despite the suppression, the movement demonstrated the unwavering determination of the Indian people for independence.

Limitations and Criticisms of Satyagraha

While highly effective, Satyagraha wasn’t without its limitations:

• Dependence on Opponent’s Conscience: Its success hinged on the oppressor possessing a moral conscience, which wasn’t always the case.
• Requirement of Disciplined Followers: It demanded a high degree of discipline and non-violence from participants, which was difficult to maintain consistently.
• Slow Pace: The process of moral persuasion could be slow and protracted.
• Vulnerability to Violence: Provocations by the authorities or counter-protests could easily escalate into violence, undermining the movement’s principles.

Global Influence of Satyagraha

Satyagraha’s impact extended beyond India, inspiring movements for civil rights and social justice worldwide. Martin Luther King Jr.’s struggle against racial segregation in the United States, and Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid in South Africa, were directly influenced by Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance.