On October 2nd, 2020, India commemorated the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. To honor his commitment to cleanliness and hygiene, the Ministry of Jal Shakti observed Swachh Bharat Diwas 2020 by distributing Swachh Puraskar awards. Known for introducing the concept of nonviolent resistance or Satyagraha, Gandhi was a key figure in the Indian Independence Movement. His birthday is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence worldwide.
Mahatma Gandhi: A Brief Profile
Born on 2nd October 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi was a lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who rose to lead the nationalist movement against British rule in India. In South Africa, he fought against the racist regime using satyagraha, a novel method of mass agitation. He believed in the power of truth to conquer injustice without physical force. A Satyagrahi could win the battle through non-violence, by appealing to the oppressor’s conscience. Gandhi’s principles are honored through the Gandhi Peace Prize given for achieving social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.
Gandhi’s Return to India and Satyagraha Movements
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on 9th January 1915, a day now celebrated as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to recognize the contributions of the Overseas Indian community. After his return, Gandhi initiated several satyagraha movements in India. The first major protest was against the oppressive plantation system in Champaran, Bihar, in 1916. He then organized peasant protests in Kheda, Gujarat, in 1917 and a satyagraha with cotton mill workers in Ahmedabad in 1918. In response to the repressive Rowlatt Act of 1919, Gandhi launched a nationwide satyagraha. However, he called it off after the incident of violence at Jallianwalla Bagh.
Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement
In September 1920, Gandhi urged Congress leaders to start a Non-Cooperation Movement to strive for swaraj (self-rule). It was formally adopted by the Congress in Nagpur in December 1920. However, it was withdrawn following the violent Chauri-Chaura incident in 1922. Gandhi marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 by breaking the Salt Law, which held the state monopoly over salt production, with his iconic Salt March. This movement was also temporarily halted to attend the Second Round Table Conference in 1931, eventually resuming but losing momentum by 1944.
The Quit India Movement
The outbreak of World War II led to the final stage of India’s freedom struggle, with the Quit India Movement launched in the summer of 1942 under Gandhi’s leadership. Gandhi demanded an immediate British withdrawal from India, a stand prompted by several factors, including the disappointing Cripps Mission and the British government’s failure to address discord between communal forces.
Social Work and Cultural Influence
Gandhi worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the ‘Harijans’, or untouchables, and negotiated the Poona Pact with B.R. Ambedkar in 1932. He popularized the spinning wheel as a symbol of self-reliance and the Indian Independence Movement. During the partition of India, Gandhi played a crucial role in calming tensions and averting riots. He also founded the Hindustani Prachar Sabha in 1942 to promote a link language between Hindi and Urdu.
A Life Remembered: Gandhi’s Written Works and Untimely Death
Gandhi authored several notable works, including ‘Hind Swaraj’ and his autobiography, ‘My Experiments with Truth’. His life was tragically cut short when he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948. This day is now observed as Martyrs’ Day, honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Despite his death, Gandhi’s teachings on truth and non-violence continue to inspire and guide millions around the world.
Last Modified: February 9, 2024