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Introduction
The year 1930 was the year of one of the most famous and world-known movements in the history of India. It is known as the Civil Disobedience Movement., led by Mahatma Gandhi- launched in the year 1930. It fundamentally opposed British colonial rule and was a fight for freedom and independence. The Salt Satyagraha is considered one of the most significant events of India’s freedom struggle. It also unified the Indian people through one common cause throughout India. Officially ending with Gandhi’s arrest in January 1932, this movement was among the greatest moments in India’s fight for independence.
How was it initiated?
Mahatma Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience movement under his guidance. The Indian people had been waiting for some such activity as a part of a freedom struggle since the introduction of repressive policies by the British Government. The Congress Working Committee passed the resolution at Lahore to launch the mass civil disobedience movement on January 26, 1930. Before launching the concluding phase, there was a five-week tour of Gandhi in East Bengal and Assam to awaken people. He said while addressing in Bombay that we would sacrifice all we have and win either Swaraj or death in the process.
On April 6, 1930, Gandhi wrote a letter to Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India, stating that if the British did not accede to his demands listed in the letter, he would begin civil disobedience. He demanded that the British grant independence to India, with dominion status and without affecting any collaborative group. Further, he demanded the withdrawal of all discriminatory laws. However, this did not meet his demand. After that, Gandhi attempted to strike fear in the British by forcing them to realise that they were losing Indian cooperation and support, resulting in major civil disobedience campaigns. During this movement, Gandhi asked Indians to boycott British institutions and organisations such as courts, government-aided schools, colleges, etc. The Congress raised a volunteer army called the “Congress Volunteer Corps” under the direct control of its Working Committee for organising demonstrations against government policies. So popular was this movement at the time that almost the entire Congress membership resigned from local civic bodies.
The reaction by the British Government
To consider the Simon Commission’s reform, Congress announced the acceptance of the recommendation for a round table conference. Then, the British Government released all political prisoners, except those charged with violence & granted amnesty to those who evaded arrest or escaped from prison in the course of the civil disobedience movement.
Representing the Indian National Congress, Mahatma Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference in London. The second conference session was held from September 7 to December 1, 1931. Lord Irwin represented Britain at this conference. Even though all the parties and communities were represented, it did not succeed. The British Government was keen on finding a solution to the constitutional controversy that had plagued India for a long time. Hence, it called for three sessions of round table conferences, starting from 1929 until 1932, in London to discuss India’s constitutional progress with main national and provincial political parties and other prominent Indian personalities and leaders.
The Karachi Session
The Karachi session of the Congress in 1931 was held at Karachi on March 27, 1931, under the presidency of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. An annual session was held at Karachi in March 1931; it passed resolutions on fundamental rights, economic policy, and the nationalisation of industries. This session drew up a constitution for the civil disobedience movement. A steering committee consisting of Gandhiji, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) had been formed to call upon the Viceroy to serve an injunction to the British Government to quit India by a specified date.
Impact of Civil Disobedience Movement
- The impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement was far-reaching. It forced the British Government to take a more conciliatory stance towards the Indian demand for independence. It made them realise that they would have to grant India self-governance at some point in time.
- This was the first time that women in large numbers took part in such a huge protest. Kasturba Gandhi, Lilavati Munshi, and Hansaben Mehta participated in the protests.
- The movement also brought together communities and castes whose social barriers had separated.
- The Civil Disobedience Movement also led to the revival of several industries, especially cotton and handloom handiwork.
- Manipur joined the Civil Disobedience Movement in the northeast. A student strike and demonstrations were organised in the area surrounding the princely state of Tripura. The police firing quelled the movement, but it unified the people against colonial rule.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is hard to predict whether or not the Civil Disobedience Movement was successful. It opened the eyes of British people about India, changed Gandhi, and made him famous. Gandhi’s movement may have failed at first. Still, his passion and persistence towards the non-violent approach of fighting constitutionally moved the British Government, leading to a more meaningful conversation about autonomy for India. It was through these heightened conversations that India finally gained its freedom. Regardless, the strength of Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement sparked a revolution in India that would continue to grow stronger until India finally gained independence in 1947.
