Page 112 - SST Class 08

Satyagraha movement. Indians were frustrated Disobedience Movement began in the whole
with the false promises made by the British and country. At Gandiji’s call, the people began to
the repressive policies followed by them. By defy government laws and orders. The govern-
breaking the Salt Law, Gandhi started the ment declared the Congress illegal. All leaders of
Nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement with the nation and nearly 60,000 peaceful
the famous Dandi March. Gandhi picked up a satyagrahis were put behind the bars.
basic commodity like salt as the government
controlled the sale of this indispensable commod-
ity, and imposed a tax on it which was a blow for
the poor people. The march started from his
ashram at Sabarmati to Dandi, a small village
near the coast of Gujarat.

While thousands of people and leaders were
arrested and imprisoned, a huge number was
killed due to firing and lathi charge. In North
West Frontier, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES
as Frontier Gandhi led the demonstrations. In November 1930, the British government

The government dealt with the hartals, strikes, convened the First Round Table Conference in
demonstrations, boycott, etc., strictly. Many London to consider the reforms proposed by the
leaders were arrested, put behind bars, people Simon Commission. The Congress boycotted the
were lathi charged and the congress was banned. Conference, but it was attended by the represen-
In spite of these stringent measures, the move- tatives of the Hindu princes, Muslim League and
ment was not abandoned nor did it terminate Hindu Mahasabha. The British government
abruptly like the Non-Cooperation Movement. knew that without the participation of the
DANDI MARCH Congress, no decision on constitutional changes
in India would be acceptable to the Indians. So,
Accordingly, on
in early 1931, Viceroy Irwin persuaded the
12th March, 1930,
Congress to join the Second Round Table
Gandhiji left his
Conference. Gandhi and Irwin came to an
Sabarmati
agreement, according to which all political
Ashram with
prisoners would be released against whom there
about 79 others
were no charges of violence. The Congress
and began his
more than 200 would suspend the Civil Disobedience
mile long march Movement. This agreement came to known as
the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Gandhi represented the
towards Dandi on foot to break the ban on
Congress in this conference. Some Indian
manufacturing of salt from the sea water. This
princes, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh leaders also
march is famous by the name of Dandi March.
attended the conference.
He completed this march in 24 days. Thousands
The princes were mainly interested in preserving
of people greeted him on the way. On 6th April,
their positions as rulers and communal leaders
Gandhiji broke the salt law by picking up salt
claimed to be the representatives of their
from the sea. From this moment, the Civil

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