Individual Satyagraha (1940-1942)
Background & Purpose
-
Launched by Mahatma Gandhi as a peaceful protest against British involvement in World War II without Indian consent.
-
It was a symbolic protest rather than a mass movement.
Key Objectives
1️⃣ Show that nationalist patience was not a sign of weakness.
2️⃣ Demonstrate Indian disinterest in the war and highlight that British rule was as autocratic as Nazi rule.
3️⃣ Give the British a chance to peacefully accept Congress’ demands.
Key Leaders & Events
-
Acharya Vinoba Bhave → First Satyagrahi (17 October 1940, Paunar Ashram, Maharashtra).
-
Jawaharlal Nehru → Second Satyagrahi.
-
Brahma Dutt → Third Satyagrahi.
-
Many prominent Congress leaders were arrested between November 1940 – February 1941.
Method of Protest
-
The selected Satyagrahi would:
-
Inform the District Magistrate about the protest date, time, and location.
-
Publicly declare:
❝It is wrong to help the British war effort with men or money. The only worthy effort is to resist all war efforts with non-violent resistance.❞ -
Offer voluntary arrest.
-
End of Satyagraha
-
Limited participation and Gandhi’s restrictions reduced its impact.
-
December 1941: Congress Working Committee suspended the movement due to changing political circumstances.
Significance
✅ Kept the spirit of resistance alive before the Quit India Movement (1942).
✅ Marked Gandhi’s continued use of non-violent protest.
✅ Exposed British reluctance to address India’s political demands.