Sambhav-2025

Approach Provide a brief overview of the Civil Disobedience Movement. Discuss how the Civil Disobedience Movement encouraged widespread participation from all sections of society. Conclude Suitably.

Introduction

The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934), led by Mahatma Gandhi, was a defining phase in India’s struggle for independence. It marked a shift from elite-led resistance to mass-based participation, involving a broad spectrum of Indian society, including rural populations, women, and workers.

Body

Extent of Mass Participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement :

• Spread widely across India: The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) spread widely across India, encompassing diverse regions and communities, each adopting unique methods of protest against British colonial rule.
  • In April 1930, C. Rajagopalachari organised a march from Thiruchirapalli (Trichinapoly as it was called by the British) to Vedaranniyam on the Tanjore (or Thanjavur) coast to break the salt law.
  • In Patna, Nakhas Pond was chosen as a site to make salt and break the salt law under Ambika Kant Sinha.
• Farmers and Peasants: Actively protested against oppressive taxes, revenue systems, and British monopoly on salt. Many refused to pay land revenue and boycotted foreign goods.
• Urban Middle Class: Traders, merchants, and professionals joined the boycott of British goods and institutions, supporting the movement financially and ideologically.
• Women: Gandhi had specially asked women to play a leading part in the movement. Soon, they became a familiar sight, picketing outside liquor shops, opium dens, and shops selling foreign cloth.
  • Figures like Sarojini Naidu and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay led protests, picketed liquor shops, and boycotted foreign cloth.
• Students: Along with women, students and youth played the most prominent part in the boycott of foreign cloth and liquor
• Muslims: In some areas such as the NWFP saw an overwhelming participation. Middle-class Muslim participation was quite significant in Senhatta, Tripura, Gaibandha, Bagura, and Noakhali.
• Merchants and Petty Traders: They were very enthusiastic. Traders’ associations and commercial bodies were active in implementing the boycott, especially in Tamil Nadu and Punjab.
• Tribals: Tribals were active participants in Central Provinces, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
• Workers: The workers participated in Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Sholapur, etc.

Limitations in Mass Participation:

• Despite widespread involvement, certain groups, such as princely states’ subjects and industrialists, were either passive or hesitant due to political or economic considerations.

Conclusion

The iconic Salt March to Dandi attracted thousands of ordinary Indians, making salt a unifying symbol of defiance against British rule. It expanded the scope of nationalist participation, making independence a shared goal among diverse groups. This mass mobilization laid the groundwork for subsequent movements and strengthened the resolve for freedom.