Satyagraha movement

The idea of satyagraha basically emphasised the power of truth and the demand to search for truth. It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then the physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. Without asking vengeance or being aggressive, a satyagrahi could win the battle through nonviolence. This could be done by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor. The common people – including the oppressors – had to be persuaded to see the truth, rather than being forced to accept truth with the help of violence. By this huge and great struggle, the truth was bound to ultimately triumph. Mahatma Gandhi had s strong that this dharma of non-violence could unite all Indians.

Gandhiji’s Satyagrah movements

• After returning to India, Mahatma Gandhi successfully organised satyagraha movements in a number of places.
• In the year 1917, he travelled to Champaran in Bihar to inspire the peasants to struggle against the oppressive plantation system.
• Later in the year 1917, he organised another satyagraha movement to support the peasants of the Kheda district of Gujarat who were affected by crop failure and a plague epidemic. The peasants of Kheda place were not able to pay the revenue, and were demanding for the revenue collection to be relaxed.
• In the year 1918, Mahatma Gandhi went to Ahmedabad to organise a satyagraha movement amongst the cotton mill workers at the mill.