Why Did Gandhi Choose ‘Salt’ as the Symbol of the Civil Disobedience Movement? - UPSC Mains Answer
Mahatma Gandhi chose salt as the central symbol of the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) because it was a basic necessity for all Indians.
Why Did Gandhi Choose ‘Salt’ as the Symbol of the Civil Disobedience Movement? Mahatma Gandhi chose salt as the central symbol of the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) because it was a basic necessity for all Indians , and the British monopoly over it affected everyone—rich or poor, Hindu or Muslim, urban or rural . Reasons for Choosing Salt: Essential for Every Indian 🧂 Salt is needed for survival, especially in a hot country like India. The British controlled its production and imposed heavy taxes , making it expensive for the common people. Affected Both the Rich and Poor Unlike other taxes that mostly impacted certain groups (like land revenue affecting farmers), the salt tax hurt all Indians . Even the poorest person had to pay for something as simple as salt. British Monopoly Over Salt Production The British banned Indians from making their own salt and forced them to buy heavily taxed British salt . This was seen as a symbol of colonial oppression . A Simple and Powerful Act of Defiance Making …