Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Mahatma Gandhi’s launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in 1930 was a watershed moment in the Indian freedom struggle. Following the Calcutta Congress session of 1928, which declared the goal of ‘Purna Swaraj’ (complete independence), Gandhi realized the need for a mass movement to translate this aspiration into reality. The British government’s refusal to consider Dominion Status, coupled with the appointment of the all-white Simon Commission, created a volatile political atmosphere. Gandhi, therefore, was “desperately in search of an effective formula” – a method of struggle that would mobilize the Indian masses, exert maximum pressure on the British, and ultimately lead to independence.
The Context: Post-1928 and the Impasse with the British
The 1928 Calcutta Congress session, presided over by Motilal Nehru, marked a shift in the Indian National Congress’s goal from Dominion Status to complete independence (Purna Swaraj). However, the British government remained unresponsive. The appointment of the Simon Commission in 1927, excluding Indian members, was widely protested. Gandhi initially focused on constructive programs like promoting Khadi and village industries, but these proved insufficient to galvanize the nation towards complete independence.
Factors Prompting the Civil Disobedience Movement
Several factors pushed Gandhi towards launching the CDM:
- Rejection of Dominion Status: The British government’s firm stance against granting Dominion Status to India fueled the demand for complete independence.
- Simon Commission Boycott: The widespread boycott of the Simon Commission demonstrated the growing nationalist sentiment but lacked a sustained follow-up.
- Economic Hardships: The global economic depression of 1929 led to increased unemployment and economic distress in India, creating fertile ground for discontent.
- Nehru’s Demand for Purna Swaraj: The younger generation of Congress leaders, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, strongly advocated for complete independence, putting pressure on Gandhi to adopt a more radical approach.
- Salt Tax as a Symbol of Oppression: Gandhi recognized the symbolic power of the salt tax, which affected all classes of people, and decided to make it the focal point of the CDM.
The ‘Effective Formula’ of Civil Disobedience
Gandhi believed that Civil Disobedience, involving the deliberate and non-violent violation of unjust laws, was the ‘effective formula’ for several reasons:
- Mass Mobilization: CDM aimed to involve all sections of society – peasants, workers, students, and women – in the struggle for independence.
- Non-violent Resistance: The emphasis on non-violence was crucial to maintain moral high ground and attract international sympathy.
- Economic Disruption: By targeting British economic interests, such as the salt monopoly and revenue collection, the CDM aimed to cripple the colonial administration.
- Challenging the Legitimacy of British Rule: The widespread defiance of laws undermined the authority and legitimacy of the British government.
- Dandi March (1930): The Dandi March, led by Gandhi, was a powerful symbol of resistance and inspired millions to participate in the CDM. It initiated the salt satyagraha, where people illegally manufactured salt, defying the British salt laws.
Limitations and Subsequent Developments
While the CDM was a significant success in mobilizing the masses, it faced limitations. The British government responded with repressive measures, arresting thousands of protestors. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 temporarily suspended the CDM in exchange for the release of political prisoners, but the movement was revived in 1932. The Communal Award and the subsequent Poona Pact also diverted attention from the main struggle. Despite these challenges, the CDM laid the foundation for future movements and ultimately contributed to India’s independence.
Conclusion
Gandhi’s launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement was indeed a response to his search for an ‘effective formula’ to achieve Purna Swaraj. The CDM, through its emphasis on non-violent resistance and mass mobilization, successfully challenged the legitimacy of British rule and galvanized the Indian population. While facing limitations and periods of suspension, the movement’s impact on the Indian freedom struggle was profound, paving the way for subsequent movements and ultimately contributing to India’s independence in 1947.
Answer Length
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