The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production made Mahatma Gandhi very much disturbed. In his opinion, it was a gross atrocity on the part of the British government. Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the most essential items of food. Hence, it must be exempted from any tax.
He sent a letter to Viceroy Lord Irwin on 31 January, 1930 with eleven demands. These demands were concerned with interests of all sections of the Indian people. The most stirring of all was the demand to make salt tax-free. But Irwin showed reluctance. Now, Mahatma Gandhi had no time to wait. He started his 240 miles long Dandi March from his Ashram at Sabarmati to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi. He was accompanied by 78 of his followers. On 6 April, he reached Dandi and openly violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. People were now asked not only to refuse cooperation with the British, but also to break colonial laws.
Gandhiji’s salt march proved to be a milestone in the history of Indian national movement. People from all walks of life participated in this historic march.
