Question

salt satyagraha was an expression of the will of people ?discuss

Answer 1

In all the stirring annals of our Freedom Movement, few events are as dramatic, inspiring and significant as the historic Dandi March led by the Father of our Nation-Mahatma Gandhi.
On one level, the March was intended to protest against the nefarious provisions of the Salt Tax imposed by the British. But there was another level that had deeper, more profound implications and gave the event a unique significance. The March, in effect, was the spark that ignited the flames of the Freedom Movement and caused the idea of mass civil disobedience to spread like wildfire across the nation.BackgroundIn December, 1929,the Indian National Congress declared that total independence for India was its avowed objective and to that effect January 26,1930 ,was celebrated as Independence Day throughout the country. People everywhere enthusiastically pledged themselves to fight for “purna swaraj”. Again this background , Gandhiji under the authority of the Congress took the first step and launched the civil disobedience movement known as the Salt Satyagraha.The BeginningsServing notice on the Viceroy. Before commencing the March, Gandhiji on March2,1930, addressed a historic letter to the Viceroy. In it, he described the ruination of the country under British Rule and gave notice of his intention to launch a civil disobedience movement by symbolically breaking the Salt Tax law which in his opinion was “the most iniquitous of all from the poor man’s standpoint.” He also added: “As the independence movement is essentially for the poorest in the land, the beginning will be made with this evil.” The Viceroy’s unfeeling reply to this moving letter provoked Gandhiji to exclaim: “On bended knees I asked for bread and I have received stone instead.”
Fixing the time and the place. The place Gandhiji selected as the site for his symbolic breaking of the provisions of the hated Salt Tax, was Dandi, a seaside village in Gujarat. He decided to march the full distance of 241 miles, from his ashram at Ahmedabad, with a select band of co-workers. The appointed date: March 12, 1930.
Adding fuel to fire. The days before the March commenced, were very tense. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who had gone to Borsad to prepare the villagers so as to accord Gandhiji and the satyagrahis a fitting welcome when they passed through the district, was arrested at Ras on March 7. This, only added fuel to the already considerable fire. On March 9, a huge crowd of 75,000 people attended a mammoth meeting on the sands of the Sabarmati. Here, they passed a resolution in the form of a vow, in Gandhiji’s presence, to tread the same path Sardar Vallabhai had trod and not to rest in peace till freedom for the nation was achieved, adding: “nor will the Government get peace.” Echoes of the same resolve resounded all over India.
Growing support at home and abroad. Day after day Gandhiji explained his programme, answered questions, and expounded his message at prayer meetings. There was no limit to the number of visitors at the ashram and press reporters often broke the sanctity of prayer grounds to get through to him. During these days, messages of support poured in. There was a cryptic letter from a Revolutionary Party to “Comrade Gandhi”, giving him three year’s time to try his non-violence. A German doctor sent a drawing executed by himself along with a note that in far-off Germany, “a humble fellow pilgrim is praying for him and his work every morning and evening.” “God guard you”, said a New York message from Rev. Holmes. Simultaneously, serving as a bizarre counterpoint to these encouraging messages, were persistent rumours of Gandhiji’s impending arrest and deportation.
Speaking on the eve of the March. On March 11, the day before the March was to begin, the crowd swelled to 10,000 when the evening prayers were held. At the end Gandhiji delivered a memorable speech: “In all probability,” he said, “this will be my last speech to you. Even if the Government allow me to march tomorrow morning, this will be my last speech on the sacred banks of the Sabarmati. Possibly, these may be the last words of my life here.”

Answer 2

Answer:

under the leadership of mahatma Gandhi, civil disobedience movement was launched in 1930. it began with dandi March. Gandhiji left sabarmati ashram with only 78 followers and made their way towards dandi.