Gandhi and Politics (1919-1947)
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GANDHI AND POLITICS (1919-1947) SUMIT KUMAR PACHAURI Email Id : [email protected] ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION One of the largest movements of liberation The Indian national movement was against colonialism and imperialism was definitely one of the greatest mass the Indian freedom struggle. For countries movements ever seen in modern times. It that refuse to accept foreign dominance was also a popular and multi-class and exploitation, the battle continues to be movement that galvanised thousands of an effective and strong source of people from different ideologies into the inspiration for countries that value liberty, struggle for freedom and brought a great equality, freedom, dignity and democracy. imperial power to its knees. It was In order to eliminate and devastate the essentially the consequence of a undemocratic foundations of colonialism, fundamental conflict between the interests neo-colonialism, feudalism, radicalism and of the Indians and the colonialism of various types of secret oppression and England. The Indian people could see that violence, the Indian freedom movement India was retreating economically and offers modern and ideal patriotism and undergoing an underdevelopment process. nationalism models that can be embraced The sentiment of nationalism among the and followed. It is widely accepted that in Indian people was encouraged and keeping the Indian national movement first increased by this anti-colonial ideology. and foremost non-violent, Gandhi played a The development of modern nationalism, major, vital and crucial role. In order to as in any other nation, is closely associated make India separate from British servitude, with the anti-colonial era in India. People he passionately and vigorously accepted began to demonstrate their unity during the and applied his philosophy and policy of period of their struggle with the British. non-violence. Although every group or class of individuals felt that under imperialism they 212 | P a g e were being persecuted, the effects of that his upbringing was imbued with the colonialism were felt in a different way. traditional Jain teachings of mutual Mahatma Gandhi attempted to combine toleration, non-damage to humans and these groups within one Congressional vegetarianism. movement altogether. In the freedom Gandhi was profoundly influenced in his movement, Gandhi conceived and early years by the tales of Shravana and introduced his non-violent Satyagraha Harishchandra that expressed the value of system, rejecting all kinds of violence for reality. He learned from these storeys and the purpose of achieving India’s freedom. through his own experiences that among But unity did not come easily, as the supreme values are honesty and love. elsewhere, without facing conflicts. Mohandas married Makhanji Kasturba in A single person is frequently linked to the about the age of 13. Gandhi later went on making of a nation in the history of to disclose that at that age, the marriage nationalism. For example, we relate did not mean anything to him and that he Garibaldi (1807-1882) to the creation of was just happy and excited about wearing Italy, George Washington (1732-1799) to new clothes. But then, as the days passed, the American War of Independence, and his feelings for her, which he later Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969) to the fight to acknowledged with regret in his free colonial rule from Vietnam. In the autobiography, became lustful. Gandhi had same way, Mahatma Gandhi has been also admitted that because of his mind regarded as the "Father" of the Indian wavering towards his new and young wife, nation. he could not focus anymore in school. MAHATMA GANDHI (1869-1948) Gandhi went to the Inns of Court in London and maintained his beliefs. His Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born obsession with the spiritual side of the into a Hindu Modh family in Porbandar, teaching of Jesus Christ goes back to his Gujarat, North West India, on 2 October early meetings in Britain. He was one of 1869, generally known as "Mahatma" England's most true companions, and this (meaning 'Great Soul'). His father was was evident more than once in his lifetime. Porbandar's chief minister, and the Gandhi eventually realised that he was not religious devotion of his mother suggested destined to be an attorney. At this mental 213 | P a g e moment, to the benefit of an Indian seller, injured. Gandhi was persuaded by this he got an invitation to go to South Africa. massacre to start crusading for Indian Gandhi was asked for legal advice to assist independence. him and he accepted. GANDHI AND THE INDIAN Gandhi finds himself in another country in NATIONAL CONGRESS 1893. He saw people there treated with Gandhi gained a reputation as a nationalist, disdain by his brothers. In awful words, he thinker and activist after his long stay in was directly insulted. He was thrown out South Africa and his agitation against the of a train compartment on one occasion for racist policies of the British. Gandhi was travelling in a compartment held for the invited by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a Whites. He was beaten for walking on senior leader of the Indian National roads barred by Asians. Gandhi chose to Congress, to join India's fight against remain in South Africa under the above British rule for independence. Mohandas conditions and to help people recover their Karamchand Gandhi was extensively self-esteem and fight for their rights. He directed by Gokhale about the prevalent set up the Indian Congress in Natal to political situation in India and also about combat racism because of the mistreatment the social issues of the time. He then of Indian immigrants and to build up the joined the Indian National Congress and concept of self-purification and nonviolent led many agitations, which he called civil resistance "satyagraha." Satyagraha, before taking over the leadership in 1920. In 1915, Gandhi returned to India in a victorious way. Gandhi was stunned right CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAHA after his arrival by the congestion and After his arrival in India, the Champaran misery he faced and decided to work for Agitation in 1917 was Gandhi's first major these oppressed people. He wanted a day success. The British landlords forced the of dissent against the Rowlatt Act (1919) peasants of the region to grow Indigo, that allowed the British to arrest everyone. which was a cash crop, but the market for Thousands of protesters have gathered in it was declining. To make matters worse, different cities, yet the protests have they were forced to sell their crops at a become brutal. In Amritsar, approximately fixed price to the planting firms. For 400 people were killed and 1,300 were 214 | P a g e support, the farmers turned to Gandhi. leaders challenged his move. Gandhi Gandhi took the administration by surprise managed to amass the vote of Muslims in and was successful in winning concessions spite of the opposition of many politicians. from the authorities in pursuit of a But all his efforts evaporated into thin air nonviolent agitation strategy. This as the Khilafat Campaign ended abruptly. movement marked the arrival in India of GANDHI’S NATIONAL MASS Gandhi! MOVEMENTS (1920-1947) KHEDA SATYAGRAHA Mahatma Gandhi played a big part in India's independence. The basis for As Kheda was struck by floods in 1918, achieving independence from the British farmers asked the British to ease the was his peaceful ways and smart payment of taxes. When the British techniques. Dandi March, Quit India refused to pay attention to the applications, Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Gandhi took the farmers' case and led the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhi has protests. He ordered them to refrain from been consciously moulding and defining paying any taxes, no matter what. Later, the path of the national freedom struggle the British gave in and approved the under the Gandhian era banner for more revenue collection to relax and gave than two decades. Vallabhbhai his word. THE CAMPAIGN FOR NON- KHILAFAT MOVEMENT POST COOPERATION (1920) WORLD WAR I With the Non-Cooperation movement, the During their fight in World War I, Gandhi Gandhian era of the Freedom Movement had decided to support the British. began. At the special session of the However, as promised earlier, the British National Congress held in Calcutta in refused to grant independence after the September 1920, the decision to initiate war, and was initiated as a consequence of the movement as an enthusiastic mass this Khilafat Movement. In order to fight movement was reiterated and again against the British, Gandhi realised that accepted at its December 1920 Nagpur Hindus and Muslims would unite and session. urged both groups to demonstrate solidarity and unity. But many Hindu 215 | P a g e In 1920, with the non-cooperation ACHIEVES IN THE NON- movement, a new stage in the history of COOPERATION CAMPAIGN India's struggle for independence was The campaign for non-cooperation was opened. In light of the ideals of non- perfectly focused on non-violence. Several violence and boycott, on August 1, 1920, known figures, such as Jawaharlal Nehru this campaign was officially dispatched. (1889-1964)2, Motilal Nehru (1861- THE CURRICULUM FOR A NON- 1931)3, Lala Lajpat Rai (1865-1928)4, COOPERATION MOVEMENT etc., gave up their legal practise and joined the movement. Many students in The Non-cooperation Campaign indicated government educational institutions gave a complex failure to comply with the up their studies. National organisations administration's regulations and controls. have been founded, such as Gujarat For each of the Indians, a request was Vidyapitha, Kashi Vidyapitha, Bihar made to Rendering their names, refusing to Vidyapitha, and the National College of go to the functions of government and Bengal. semi-government, boycotting the English courts, schools and universities, supported In the midst of the Prince of Wales' visit to or governed by the legislature, and India on 17 November 1921, the most boycotting the elections to be held for the fabulous achievement of the boycott committees, as proposed by the 19191 programme was seen.