Role of Mahatma Gandhi to mobilize masses during Indian freedom struggle

Critically examine the role of Gandhi in mass mobilization during Indian freedom struggle.

Indian freedom struggle was more of regional and class limited movement before Mahatma Gandhi joined the struggle after coming from Durban (South Africa). Indian National Congress (INC) was the, then only, pan- India organization to conduct the struggle across the nation. But, the INC mostly represented the elite and educated higher and middle class intellectuals as its members. The Congress organization was not in direct contact with peasants and working class, which was the majority of the population. The Congress Agrarian Policy was mostly against the British Land Revenue policy. The causes of peasants, working class, women, students, poor and lower castes were not represented at all India level. Their struggles were confined to a particular area and were related to some limited issues. It was not before the Lucknow session, when Mahatma Gandhi was approached by Raj Kumar Shukla to lead to movement at Champaran (Bihar) in 1917. Gandhi accepted the request and visited Champaran and moved among the peasants. It was Gandhi’s contribution that he transformed the demoralized, timid and hopeless peasants to self respected and self reliant class. It was the Charismatic leadership qualities of Gandhi which mobilized the masses towards freedom struggle. These were among the some of the attributes which led Gandhi to instill a sense of togetherness among the masses.

• ·       Non- violent methods and Satyagraha: Mahatma Gandhi devised this method and had seen the efficacy of it during his reside at South Africa. He believed that this is the best tool to mobilize and to link the masses with any cause to get their demands fulfilled. It was efficacy of this movement that Nelson Mandela, the first President of independent South Africa, also adopted this policy for the freedom movement in South Africa against the colonial power.
• ·         Become one amongst them: Gandhi moved among the masses on foot or travelling in bullock cart. Gandhi came where the ordinary people lived and talked to them in their languages.
• ·         Critically analyzed the situations: Gandhi just did not come and started the agitations. Instead, he enquired into the essential facts of grievances and then formulated their demands, educated them about the nature and magnitude of their needs and trained them in the internal self sufficiency. During the Ahmadabad Satyagraha, Gandhi just did not follow the demand to rise the 50% of the wages, instead studied it and reached at a consensus of 35%.
• ·         Concentrating on one thing: During the entire struggle of freedom, Mahatma Gandhi focused on one issue at a time and worked thoroughly and concentrated his full efforts to one cause.
• ·         Arousal of the Political Consciousness of the masses: By showing the effectiveness of Satyagraha and non-violence in fulfilling the demands of masses, Gandhi effectively arose the political consciousness of the masses and helped them in connecting with the national cause.
• ·         A movement for all: Through Satyagraha, Gandhi showed the masses that it can be used effectively by anyone either literate or Illiterate. For example, the Gandhian methods of Satyagraha were also used, in Bardoli, in 1928, though he did not participate directly.
• ·         Acted as buffer: Mahatma Gandhi acted as buffer also among the opposing factions and helped in uniting them. For example, Kisan Sabha held opposing views from Congress regarding the causes of peasants but it was the influence of Gandhi, they cooperated in Non-Cooperation movement in 1920-22.
• ·         Counseled mutual trust and understanding: He supported the idea that any movement to become a mass movement should have an economic program for masses.
• ·         Continuous contact with masses: While not actively involved in any mass agitation or movement, he constantly remained in contact with the masses with several constructive programs. He vowed for Swadeshi and Khadi and supported the orientalist view of national schools and education.
• ·         Garnered the Hindu-Muslim unity: These were his efforts that the Muslims enthusiastically participated in Non-Cooperation movement. He took the opportunity to lead the Khilafat movement, in 1919, against the British and tried to garner harmony in between the Hindus and Muslims.
• ·         Diversified the base of supporters: Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the women first came on the forefront and participated in Non-Cooperation movement at national level. He also took the peasants, working class and students along with him for a unified cause.
• ·         Pervaded among the lower castes: Mahatma Gandhi was also stirred the lower strata of society and instilled the sense of equality. He condemned the inequality and curses of society towards untouchables or Dalits. He fought for their causes and used the term ‘Harijan’ for them and joined them with the national struggle.

The culmination of all the efforts of mass mobilization by Mahatma Gandhi were visible during the Quit India Movement ,in 1942, when all the political leaders were arrested before the formal launch of the movement. But, masses acted in absence of any leadership and enthralled the British Empire with the unity and valour of the masses.