Enacting of Dandi March on March 12

• IAS NEXT, Lucknow
• 15, Mar 2022

Reference News:-

The Salt March, which took place from March to April 1930, was an act of civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi to protest the British rule in the country.

About Dandi March:

Mahatma Gandhi and 78 others from his Sabarmati Ashram had embarked on the Dandi Yatra on March 12, 1930 to break the law which had imposed tax on salt.

• After walking for 21 days, they reached Dandi on April 5 and broke the law.
• After making salt at Dandi, Gandhi headed to Dharasana Salt Works, 40 km south, but was arrested on May 5.

Facts related to Salt Satyagraha:

• The Congress Party in the Lahore session of December 1929, passed the Purna Swaraj resolution. It was proclaimed on 26 January, 1930 and decided that civil disobedience was the way to achieve it.
• Mahatma Gandhi chose the path of non-violence to break the salt tax against the British government.

Why salt?

• Salt was a commodity used by all people of every community and the poor people were affected more by the salt tax.
• Until the passing of the 1882 Salt Act, Indians were making salt from seawater free of cost.
• But the Salt Act gave British monopoly over the production of salt and authority to impose a salt tax. Violation of the Salt Act was a criminal offence.
• With the Salt Satyagraha, Mahatma Gandhi tried to unite Hindu and Muslims because the cause was common.

Outcomes of Salt March or Salt Satyagraha:

• A lot of people came together including women, depressed class.
• The movement showed the power of non-violence in fighting against colonialism for the freedom struggle.
• In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi was released and met Lord Irwin who wanted to put an end to the civil disobedience movement.
• As a result, Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed, the civil disobedience movement ended and Indians were allowed to make salt for domestic use.