CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT (1930-1934)

The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934), led by Mahatma Gandhi, was a crucial phase in India's struggle for independence. It began with the historic Salt March on March 12, 1930, where Gandhi and his followers marched 240 miles to Dandi to defy the British salt tax. This act of nonviolent resistance encouraged millions of Indians to break colonial laws, leading to mass protests, boycotts, and the refusal to pay taxes. The movement aimed to complete Swaraj (self-rule) and intensified pressure on British rule through non-cooperation, but with a more aggressive stance than previous efforts.

The Civil Disobedience Movement differed from the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) in terms of objectives and strategies. While both promoted nonviolent resistance, the Non-Cooperation Movement urged Indians to withdraw from British institutions like schools and courts. In contrast, the Civil Disobedience Movement went further by directly defying unjust laws and policies, seeking not only to distance Indians from British rule but to challenge it through deliberate acts of disobedience.

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BACKGROUND OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT

• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) ended abruptly after the Chauri Chaura incident. Nevertheless, it awoke mass democratic consciousness.
• The INC persisted, yearning for Purna Swaraj (complete independence) in response to harsh treatment from the Brits.

SIMON COMMISSION (1927):

• The Simon Commission, appointed by the British government to suggest constitutional reforms in India but made up of no Indian members, led to wide-spread protests.
• The report by the commission were, later on to be called as recommendations gave more frustration with regard to self rule from Indians.

THE PURNA SWARAJ (DECLARATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE) 1929

• At the Lahore session of INC in December 1929, under leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, complete independence (Purna Swaraj) was declared as its goal.
• It was declared by the Indian National Congress on January 26, 1930 to be Independence Day that with pledge given to carry out civil disobedience movement.

IMPACT OF GLOBAL MOVEMENTS:

• Successes of non-violent resistance elsewhere in the world (like civil rights movements domestically within US or against British rule in Ireland) also informed Gandhi and Indian movement more broadly.

CAUSES OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION:

• The British colonial policies like heavy taxations, extraction of Indian resources and unfavourable trade practices had completely destroyed the agriculture and industry of India.
• The deteriorating economic status of Indian mass put extra pressure on their suppressed anger to enter into a revolting mood.

SALT TAX:

• The British also brought in a salt tax, thereby preventing Indians from making or selling their own salt and hurting the poor worst of all.
• This, according to Gandhi, was the epitome of British oppression and thus he would launch what came to be known as the Civil Disobedience Movement.

REPRESSIVE LAWS:

• This along with repressive laws like the Rowlatt Act (1919) which allowed the British to arrest Indians without trial meant resentment ran high.
• Perceived as colonial oppressions, these laws increased the demand for self-rule.

INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT:

• This discontent in India was aggravated by the impact of the Great Depression (1929) on their already deteriorating economy.
• Post-World War I developments amounted to a global shift towards self-determination movements in the colonies, this led Indian leaders increasingly for freedom.

REFORMS:

• The British made several attempts at constitutional reforms. the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, Government of India Act 1919, which were insufficient and failed to satisfy the expectation of major parties; these gave tepid top-level self-governance.
• Since these reforms did not meet the expectations of Indians for full independence, a new Mix mantra was offered which demanded more direct action.

RESPONSES OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

It became infamous internationally and generated global support, putting the British government under a huge amount of pressure. It brought Indians together across religions, caste and regions. Unity and Empowerment phenomenon in nation building that helped to lay the foundation of a collective national identity.

• Non-violent Resistance: Demonstrated the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance, inspiring other similar movements around the world.

• Political: Won comprehensive autonomy from the British, first Dominion status and then independence.

• Religious Reforms: It created religious reforms in India, specially with reference to untouchability and gender equality.

• Violence and Repression: The movement, despite being strictly non-violent, was met with immense state violence at the hands of British authorities which resulted in hundreds to thousands dead.

• Economic Downturn: A vast number of Indians, particularly those who were subservient to British industries, had their livelihoods undermined by the boycott and strikes.

• Divisions & Conflicts: The movement also confronted issues of action, especially over possible tactics and ends, which then developed into internal conflicts along with rivalries.

• Limited Impact on Certain Groups: While the movement in general was able to achieve independence, its effect on some of the marginalised groups like women and lower castes was rather insignificant.

DRAWBACKS OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

Absence of a Defining Strategy - At times, the movement appeared to lack cohesion in strategy with important variations and ambiguities.

Dependence on Gandhian Leadership: The heavy dependence of the movement - and even Gandhi himself as he considered moving away from active politics after Independence. His charismatic presence meant that in case of absence or limitation, the non-violent method which had been instrumental would be severely imperilled.

Narrow Social Bases: The movement achieved only a limited social base in some regions like rural India; it also lacked influence, particularly among the public.

Long-term Impact on Politics: The emphasis non-violence, though successful in breaking from colonial imperialism, could have helped erode the cradle for which solid political institutions and a functioning civic society can mature.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

1. Non-Violent Protest: The movement was based on the principle of non-violence (Ahimsa). Participants refused to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of the British government peacefully.

2. Salt March: One of the most iconic events of this movement was the Salt March (Dandhi March) in 1930. Gandhi, along with his followers, marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to make salt from seawater, defying the British monopoly on salt production.

3. Mass Participation: The movement saw widespread participation from various sections of Indian society including men, women, youth, and elderly across diverse social, economic, and geographic backgrounds.

4. Broad Scale: It was not limited to urban areas; rural areas also saw significant participation. Actions included boycotting British goods, refusal to pay taxes, and resigning from government employment.

5. International Attention: It drew significant international attention to the plight of Indians under British rule and highlighted the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance.

6. British Response: The British government initially responded with repression, arresting thousands of activists including Gandhi himself. However, this further fueled the resolve of the Indian people and garnered global sympathy.

7. Impact on Freedom Struggle: The Civil Disobedience Movement played a crucial role in mobilising Indian society against colonial rule, building unity and national consciousness. It laid the groundwork for future movements and eventually contributed to India gaining independence in 1947.

SPREAD OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

GUJARAT

• Salt March and Dandhi : Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandhi was a significant event. Thousands followed Gandhi in defiance of the salt tax. This act inspired similar protests in other parts of the state.
• Economic Boycott: Residents boycotted British goods, especially foreign cloth, and promoted the use of khadi.

TAMIL NADU

• Vedaranyam March: C. Rajagopalachari led a salt march from Trichinopoly to Vedaranyam, mirroring Gandhi's Dandi March. The marchers collected salt from the sea, defying British regulations.
• Student Participation: Students from Madras actively boycotted educational institutions controlled by the British.

BENGAL

• Protests and Boycotts: In Bengal, civil disobedience included refusal to pay taxes, boycotts of British goods, and picketing liquor shops.
• Cultural Mobilisation: The movement in Bengal was characterised by a significant cultural and intellectual mobilisation, with writers and poets contributing to the nationalist cause.

MAHARASHTRA

• No Tax Campaign: Farmers in Maharashtra refused to pay land revenue and other taxes, leading to widespread confiscations of land and property by the British authorities.
• Urban Activities: In cities like Bombay (now Mumbai), there were substantial boycotts of British goods and institutions.

PUNJAB

• Protests and Strikes: Mass protests and strikes were common, with leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai inspiring people to join the movement.
• Peasant Uprisings: Peasants in rural Punjab played an active role, refusing to pay taxes and challenging British authorities.

UTTAR PRADESH

• Refusal to Pay Taxes: In areas like Ballia and Gorakhpur, people refused to pay taxes, leading to the confiscation of property and harsh reprisals by the British.
• Role of Youth: Students and young leaders in places like Allahabad and Varanasi actively participated in spreading the movement.

BIHAR

• Peasant Mobilization: Influential leaders like Rajendra Prasad mobilized peasants to refuse to pay taxes and revenues, which resulted in significant clashes with British authorities.
• Urban Centers: Cities like Patna saw active participation in boycotting British goods and institutions.

KARNATAKA

• Salt Satyagraha: In Karnataka, the Salt Satyagraha gained momentum with people defying the salt laws on the coast.
• Local Leadership: Leaders like Nittoor Srinivasa Rao played a critical role in organising protests and spreading the movement across the state.

Andhra Pradesh

• Chowdary Brothers: In Madras Presidency, which included parts of modern Andhra Pradesh, leaders like the Chowdary brothers organised resistance against British laws.
• Civil Disobedience: People in coastal regions participated in salt satyagraha and boycotted British goods.

KERALA

• Vaikom Satyagraha: Although predating the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Vaikom Satyagraha served as an inspiration. During the Civil Disobedience era, people in Kerala participated actively in the salt protests and boycotts.
• Economic Boycott: Residents prominently boycotted foreign cloth and liquor shops.

ASSAM

• Tea Plantations: Workers in tea plantations joined the movement, refusing to accept British-imposed restrictions and participating in boycotts.
• Educational Protests: Educational institutions saw significant student involvement in boycotts and protests.

ORISSA (ODISHA)

• Salt Marches: Inspired by Gandhi, local leaders organized salt marches in Orissa, challenging British salt laws.
• Economic Boycott: Boycotting British goods and services was a widespread activity.

RAJASTHAN

• Peasant Movements: Peasant movements in Rajasthan, especially in the princely states, became an integral part of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Urban Protests: Urban centers like Jaipur saw significant political activism and participation in economic boycotts.

SINDH AND NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE

• Salt Satyagraha: In modern-day Pakistan, areas like Sindh and the North-West Frontier Province saw active participation in salt satyagrahas and protests.
• Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan: In the North-West Frontier Province, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan led the Khudai Khidmatgar movement, which aligned closely with Gandhi’s principles of non-violence and civil disobedience.

CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR

• Tax Refusal: Agricultural regions saw villagers refusing to pay taxes and revenues.
• Educational Boycotts: Students across the region actively participated in boycotting British educational institutions.

KASHMIR

• Political Mobilization: Although under princely rule and somewhat isolated, Kashmir saw rising political consciousness, contributing indirectly by providing moral and economic support to the larger movement.