Salt Satyagraha Movement

Salt Satyagraha Movement

Salt Satyagraha was a famous movement in the Indian independence struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi. After the advent of Gandhiji in the Indian Independence struggle, the entire picture of the political scenario changed profoundly. The British Government imposed many taxes on every need of the people. Even they brought the salt law to impose a tax on salt. Hence, the tax on salt became unbearable to the salt makers.

Gandhiji Announcement of Salt Satyagraha Movement

Gandhiji decided to break the salt laws, making salt very expensive for middle-class people. However, Gandhiji wanted to violate the rules by manufacturing salt at Dandi, a small village on the Gujarat sea coast. On March 12th, 1930, Gandhiji and his 78 companions began from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi on a 375 km trek. This trek later became famous as Salt March or Uppu Satyagraha movement. The movement end at Dandi village. Hence the campaign was also called as Dandi march.
The announcement of the Dandi March has brought a tremendous response from the public so far. Many local leaders and women participated widely in this Dandi March to strengthen the Gandhiji views on the British Government. Where ever Gandhiji went, the village people welcomed him into their village and honoured him with great respect. Finally, the Dandi March covered 24 days to reach Dandi village.

Impact of Dandi March on Freedom Struggle

Day after day, the newspapers narrated the progress of the Dandi Yatra. Even Gandhiji’s speeches impressed the people to know the importance of freedom in India. Astonishingly, the Indian officers who lived on his route to Dandi resigned from their jobs and participated in Gandhi Salt Satyagraha March. This entire episode brought about a passion for patriotism among the people. Finally, on April 6th, 1930, Gandhi arrived in Dandi and picked up a handful of salt to break the Salt Law. This refusal of the salt law made a wave of enthusiasm sweep the country. Even women also participated in the movement of civil disobedience. In Delhi alone, 1600 women were imprisoned in the way of supporting the breaking of the salt law.

Impact of Salt Satyagraha

This civil disobedience movement of Salt Satyagraha, or the Dandi March, greatly impacted the people to break the British imposed laws. Even the people boycotted the schools, colleges, and services provided by the British. The furious British Government behaved ruthlessly. They ordered firing and lathi charges on the women and the unarmed crowd. They arrested 90,000 Satyagrahis, Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel, and other leading Congress leaders. This salt satyagraha brought a boost to the upcoming movements led by Gandhiji. Due to this movement, harmony brought among Indian people towards getting India’s Independence.