Movements by Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, was a prominent leader of the pre-independence era. He took India to a totally new level by employing movements like non-violence, civil disobedience and civil rights during India’s freedom struggle with the British. He is best known as ‘Father of the Nation’ and ‘Bapu’. He led nationwide movements and campaigns for India’s independence, eradication of poverty, expanding women’s rights, ending untouchability and establishing Swaraj.

1. Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha

One of his major achievements in 1918 were the Champaran and Kheda agitations – a movement against British landlords. The farmers and peasantry were forced to grow and cultivate Indigo, and were even to forced to sell them at fixed prices. Finally, these farmers pledged to Mahatma Gandhi and non-violent protest took place. Wherein Gandhiji won the battle.

Kheda, in the year 1918 was hit by floods and farmers wanted relief from tax. Using non-cooperation as his main weapon Gandhiji used it in pledging the farmers for non-payment of taxes. Gandhiji got much public support and finally in May 1918, Government gave the provisions related to tax payment.

2. Khilafat Movement

Gandhiji in the year 1919 approached Muslims, as he found the position of Congress was quite weak and unstable. Khilafat Movement is all about the worldwide protest against the status of Caliph by Muslims. Finally Mahatma Gandhi had an All India Muslim Conference, and became the main person for the event. This movement supported Muslims to a great extent and the success of this movement made him the national leader and facilitated his strong position in Congress party. Khilafat movement collapsed badly in 1922 and throughout their journey Gandhiji fought against communalism, but the gap between Hindus and Muslims widened.

3. Non-cooperation Movement

Gandhiji’s main motive was to establish non-cooperation, non-violence and made this non-violent movements as his weapons against Britishers. We are all aware about the JallianwalaBagh massacre, where hundreds of innocent died. Gandhiji’s strong decision took actions against British Raj and then he began to focus on forming self-government and soon establish Swaraj. Gandhiji was a highly orthodox religious Hindu and spoke about Hindu Dharma in 1921. And hence, non-cooperation was well established. Further even the nonviolence movement included swadeshi policy – boycotting Britishers goods and services and wearing Khadi. Gandhiji tried lot of attempts of bringing Hindus and Muslims together but differences started widening.

4. Salt Satyagraha Movement - Dandi march

Salt March was an active movement carried out in the year 1930. Gandhiji started focussing on expanding initiatives against untouchability, alcoholism and removal of all bad habits. Salt march mainly known as Salt Satyagraha which began with Dandi march in the year 1930. This movement was an essential part of Indian Independence movement and non-violent resistance against tax. Gandhiji led this Dandi march with lot of followers behind him.

On the 24th day, he vowed to produce more salt without paying any tax and soon he broke the law for salt, which sparked outrage among Britishers. After this, Gandhiji was arrested and this news gained a lot of attention in the press.

Gandhi’s each and every act was based on his principles and his path of non-violence. His teachings have influenced a lot of people, including Anna Hazare, and effective use of some movements was established since then.

5. Quit India Movement

This was a civil disobedience movement launched in the year 1942. The Do or Die phrase was applied here where a mass protest led by the All India Congress Committee was proclaimed on a large scale. Within no time, the Quit India Movement was crushed badly. Britishers also refused to grant Independence to India and declared that it will happen once World War II ends. During these movements by Mahatma Gandhi, a lot of political leaders and followers got imprisoned for a long period of time. But then British Government finally realised that India will no more be under their control and the main question raised was how to exit peacefully from such a terrible situation.

Unfortunately, Gandhiji was assassinated on January 30, 1948, but many Gandhians are alive who still follow his ideologies and beliefs. His main principles were truth, non-violence and Satyagraha. Let’s hope that his ideologies and vision continue to be realised by Gandhians.