Remembrance Program of ‘Dandi Yatra’ on 12th March
It may be noted that the historic Dandi Yatra, which started under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi on March 12, 1930, was completed in April 1930.
This march was a part of the ‘Civil Disobedience’ movement led by Mahatma Gandhi to oppose the British rule in the country. This yatra is also known as ‘Salt March’.
About Dandi March:
- The 24 days march was a tax resistance campaign against the British salt monopoly. Based on Gandhi’s principle of non-violence or Satyagraha, the march marked the inauguration of the civil disobedience movement.
- This march was easily the most significant organised movement against the British government after the non-cooperation movement of the early 1920s.
- After a 21-day march, these Satyagrahis reached Dandi on 5 April and violated the saltlaw. After making salt at Dandi, Gandhi reached the ‘Dharasana Salt Works’ 40 km south, but was arrested on 5 May.
Facts related to Salt Satyagraha:
- In the Lahore session of December 1929, the resolution of ‘Purna Swaraj’ was passed by the Congress party.
- ‘Purna Swaraj’ was proclaimed on 26 January 1930, and it was decided to adopt the path of ‘civil disobedience’ to achieve it.
- Mahatma Gandhi chose the path of non-violence against the British government to break the salt-law.
Why did Gandhi choose the Salt Satyagraha to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement?
- In the household of every Indian, salt is an indispensable commodity, yet the British forbade people to make salt even for domestic use, and were forced to buy it from shops at a high price.
- There was a lot of anger among the public due to the state’s monopoly on salt, aiming at this, Gandhiji thought of mobilizing the people on a large scale against the British rule.
- Salt was chosen to mark the beginning of the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’, as salt was considered a substance over which every Indian had a fundamental right.
Consequences of Salt March or Salt Satyagraha:
- In this satyagraha many people including women, oppressed class got organized together.
- This movement demonstrated the power of non-violence in fighting for the freedom struggle against colonialism.
- In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi was released, and Gandhi met Lord Irwin with the aim of ending the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- As a result of this meeting, the ‘Gandhi-Irwin Pact’ was signed, and the Civil Disobedience Movement came to an end and Indians were allowed to make salt for domestic use.
Source – The Hindu
