Salt Satyagraha

A new determination to force the government of act filled the minds of the people.

Jawaharlal Nehru was elected President of the Congress at the behest of Gandhi. A Congress session was held in Lahore on December 31, 1929. A resolution announcing that full independence was India’s goal was passed at this session of the Congress. Disappointed at her failure to get dominion status, India now demanded full independence.

The whole country was excited. Everybody was waiting for the lead from Gandhi. After two months of suspense, a Salt Satyagraha was announced by Gandhi.

This would be the beginning of a civil disobedience campaign in which laws made by the State would be broken. Civil disobedience would begin by breaking the salt law.

“Salt suddenly became a mysterious word, a word of power,” Nehru said.

Gandhi was much impressed by Jawharlal

Gandhi thus had the opportunity to know the Punjab and its people. The flocked to him. They loved him and respected him.

Jawaharlal Nehru, who was also there in the Punjab, realized that Gandhi was the leader of the masses. People were drawn to him because of his thoughts and deeds. Nehru saw the scientific accuracy with which Gandhi was conducting the enquiry.

Gandhi’s report of the atrocities showed that efforts were being made by the government to shield certain persons.

Gandhi was never interested in taking revenge on anybody but he was shocked at the way the government sat silent when its own report was published. Gandhi was very much moved by the sufferings of the people in the Punjab. He knew the extent of the atrocities committed on defenseless people.