Knowledge Booster: Dandi March & Civil Disobedience Movement

Subject: History
Relevance: The Dandi March is one of the most important events of the Independence Movement.

Why in the News?

• March 12 marks the 95th anniversary of the historic salt march or Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat.

Key Takeaways

1. Dandi March:

   • Started on March 12, 1930, from Sabarmati Ashram.

   • Ended on April 5, 1930, with the defiance of the salt law at Dandi.

2. Civil Disobedience Movement:

   • Launched with the Dandi March.

   • Gandhi considered civil disobedience more dangerous than armed rebellion because it relies on “innocent suffering.”

3. Defiance of Salt Law:

   • On April 6, 1930, Gandhi and his followers broke the salt law by manufacturing salt from the sea.

   • Gandhi stated this action was “shaking the foundations of the British Empire.”

   • Movement spread throughout the countryside.

   • Approximately 60,000 people were arrested.

4. Key Arrests:

   • Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahadev Desai, and Gandhi’s son Devdas were among the first to be jailed.

   • The British government declared the Indian National Congress illegal.

   • Gandhi was arrested and sent to Yeravda Central Jail.

5. Raid at Dharsana:

   • After Gandhi’s arrest, Abbas Tyabji took over the march to Dharsana but was also arrested.

   • Sarojini Naidu led the march after Abbas Tyabji’s arrest.

   • Police met the marchers with brutality, as reported by American journalist Miller.

6. Spread of the Movement:

   • Similar acts of civil disobedience occurred throughout India.

   • Colonial laws were broken, and foreign cloth and liquor were boycotted.

   • The salt satyagraha grew into a mass satyagraha.

7. Regional Participation:

   • Bengal: Volunteers led by Satish Chandra Dasgupta walked from Sodepur Ashram to Mahisbathan to make salt.

   • Bombay: K.F Nariman led marchers to Haji Ali Point to prepare salt.

   • Raiyatwari Areas: Anti-chowkidari tax campaign and non-payment of rent.

   • Central Provinces, Maharashtra, and Karnataka: Tribal invasions of forests.

   • NWFP (North-West Frontier Province): Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Frontier Gandhi) and the Khudai Khidmatgars (Red Shirts) played a significant role.

   • Chittagong: Surya Sen led a campaign, seized the local armoury, and fought a battle on Jalalabad hill.

   • Tamil Nadu: C. Rajagopalachari organized a march from Trichinopoly to Vedaranniyam.

   • Malabar: Kelappan organized the salt march.

   • Orissa: Gopabandhu Chaudhary led the movement.

   • Bihar: Ram Briksha Benipuri, Prof Abdul Bari, and Acharya Kripalani led the movement.

8. Why Salt?

   • The 1882 Salt Act gave the British a monopoly on salt manufacture and sale.

   • Indians were forced to buy salt from the colonizers, even though it was freely available.

   • Gandhi chose salt as the focal point for civil disobedience.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact

1. Gandhi’s Ultimatum:

   • Gandhi sent an 11-point ultimatum to Irwin on January 31, 1930, including demands for total prohibition, reduction of land revenue, abolition of the salt tax, and release of political prisoners.

2. Negotiations:

   • Irwin showed no inclination to meet the demands, leading to the Salt March.

   • On January 25, 1931, Irwin announced the unconditional release of Gandhi and other Congress leaders to facilitate negotiations.

3. Delhi Pact (Gandhi-Irwin Pact):

   • Signed on March 5, 1931.

   • Led to the release of political prisoners (except those convicted of violence), remission of fines, and return of confiscated lands.

   • The Congress agreed to end the Civil Disobedience Movement and participate in the Second Round Table Conference.