Everyone interpreted the term ‘Swaraj’ in their own way, so did the workers. They have their own views regarding Mahatma Gandhi and about Swaraj. For example – Plantation workers in Assam expected that freedom would ultimately allow them to move freely anywhere and establish a connection with their village. Inland Emigration Act of 1859 didn’t permit plantation workers to leave the tea gardens without permission. Thousands of workers refused to obey what authorities said, left the plantations and went home. They did this because they came to know about the NonCooperation Movement and believed that Gandhi Raj would give the land in their own villages. However, in midway only they were stopped by the police and brutally beaten up. Congress didn’t support what these movements had visualised to do.
The congress was reluctant to include workers’ demand as part of its programme of the struggle because-
- Workers thought that time would come when their all troubles and sufferings would come to an end.
- Also, they associated the movement with that of the Congress and in the name of Mahatma Gandhi which went beyond the limits.
