Gandhiji conducted many non – violent movements in India. But in fact, the history of national movement is the history of all the Satyagrahas conducted by Gandhiji.
Gandhiji’s rule in these movements can be explained as follows:
(1) Imparted All India National Congress the status of a well – organised party:
Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhiji, in annual session of Congress at Nagpur in Dec. 1920, the Congress was given a new constitution and its structure became well – organised. The Congress party was transformed into a strong political party. A fifteen – member executive committee and an All India Working Committee consisting of 350 members was formed, and in the same way, provincial committees were also formed. In this way, besides leading various movements, Gandhiji gave a strong foundation to the Congress Party.
(2) Made Indian National Congress a dynamic and active institution:
The Non – cooperation movement changed the form and nature of the Congress party. Now, it became a dynamic and revolutionary party. Gandhiji gave the national movement a revolutionary form. Through the Non – cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement, there was a clear non – acceptance of the British authority, opposition to the cruel and tyrannical laws. Boycotting foreign goods and encouraging Swadeshi had become familiar things of life. Attaining freedom had become the ultimate target of the Congress party.
(3) Developed nationalistic feelings:
Through his movements. Gandhiji created and developed nationalistic feelings among the Indian masses. He made all the Indians stand under one banner. He inspired his countrymen to adopt Swadeshi goods. This love for Swadeshi goods made them nationalists and patriots.
(4) Made the National Movement popular throughout the country:
Gandhiji made the national movement not only revolutionary, but also popular. He brought political awakening not only in the cities, but also in the villages.
(5) Fixed a definite goal for the movement:
All the national leaders prior to Gandhiji wanted freedom from British slavery. But they had no definite, well – planned programme and appropriate ways and means to realise their goal. Gandhiji made a definite goal, a well chalked – out programme and the ways and means to get it.
(6) Inspired the common people to be courageous, bold and daring:
When the Indians were fear – stricken due to the ruthless and tyrannical behaviour of the British rulers, Gandhiji made them bold, courageous and fearless. They became so daring that they bared their chests before the blazing guns of the British.
(7) Communal unity:
Mahatma Gandhiji was the worshipper of Hindu – Muslim unity. Many times, he became mentally prepared to give up his life to maintain Hindu – Muslim unity. In the Khilafat movement, he took a leading role only for cementing the Hindu – Muslim unity. He opposed the MacDonald Communal Award of separate electorates for the Muslims, the Sikhs and the Dalits. (8) Achieve political goals through moral means: Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the non – cooperation movement when the satyagrahis set fire to the police post at Chauri – Chaura and twenty two policemen were burnt to death. He gave the slogan “Do or Die”, but he always advised the satyagrahis to be peaceful and non-violent in their actions.
