Gandhi & the Politics of Mass Action

As outlined in Chapter 16, "The Struggles for Asia, 1920-1945" Mohandas Gandhi appears to be an unparalleled leader and inspirer of human political motivation. The book implies that Gandhi was responsible for the transformation of the demand for independence into a nationwide mass movement that mobilized every class of society against the imperialist forces of Britain. As is often the case, the free India that came into being, divided and committed to a program of modernization and industrialization, was not the India of his dreams.

The highlights of his life show a man of action. Born Oct. 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India, in 1893 he went to South Africa to battle for the rights of Indians, an event which would influence his initial struggle in 1915 for India's independence. A proponent of non violent civil resistance, he brought his case to the world press in 1930 when he led hundreds of natives and reporters on a long Salt March to Dandi to protest a tax on salt. This led to a nationwide strike in support of him, and in 1947 he negotiated an end to 190 years of British colonial rule in India. In 1948 he was killed by a fanatic opposed to Gandhi's tolerance of other religions (Popham, 1997, 3).

India has one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Excavations trace the Indus Valley civilization back for at least 5,000 years. Paintings in the mountain caves of Ajanta, richly carved temples, the Taj Mahal in Agr

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at identified a member's religion, occupation, locale, culture status, and tribal affiliation. In addition, Indian society at the time of Gandhi was divided into four "varna," or social classesCthe "Brahmans," (priests and scholars); "Kshatriyas," (military and rulers); "Vaisyas," (farmers and merchants); and "Sudras," (peasants and laborers). Below the Sudras were the untouchables, who performed menial tasks. Untouchability was legally abolished in 1949, only after Gandhi's death. The Indian National Congress and Gandhi The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 to promote economic reforms. It became the spearhead of the Indian movement for independence from Great Britain. Its membership became overwhelmingly Hindu, as most Muslim members left it for the Muslim League. In 1919, inspired by Gandhi's speeches, it adopted a policy of "satyagraha" (nonviolent resistance) toward the British (Basu, 1997, A12). Gandhi's Non-Violent Philosophy After practicing law in South Africa, Gandhi fought for the rights of the Indian population there, and returned to India. To become a leader in the nationalist movement, he began working for Indian Independence from Great Britain. He gave up Western ways to lead a life of abstin
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