Workers interpreted the term ‘Swaraj’ in their own way. 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.
The conditions of the plantation workers during colonial rule were as follows:
• Inland Emigration Act of 1859 didn’t permit plantation workers to leave the tea gardens without permission.
• As a result, 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 Non-Cooperation 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.
• Workers thought that time would come when their all troubles and sufferings would come to an end. Plantation workers became emotionally connected to allIndia agitation when they were chanting Gandhiji’s name and demanded ‘Swatantra Bharat’.
• They associated the movement with that of the Congress and in the name of Mahatma Gandhi which went beyond the limits.
