Civil Disobedience Movement

The Congress executive was authorised to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement at Lahore session in 1929. The Congress working committee met in mid February at Sabarmati Ashram where Gandhi was given full authority with regard to Civil Disobedience Movement. Gandhi submitted eleven points demand before the viceroy,Lord Irwin, of which he overlooked. Demands were :

1) 50% reduction in land revenue.

2) Abolition of salt tax and government monopoly on salt.

3) To fix rupee sterling exchange ratio.

4) Protection of indigenous textile industry.

5) 50% cut in military expenditure.

6) 50% reduction in expenditure of civil accomodation.

7) Total prohibition of intoxicants.

8) Release of all political prisoners.

9) Changes in Central Intelligence Department.

10) Changes in Arm Act.

11) Reservation of coastal shipping for Indians.

Starting of Civil Disobedience Movement :- Gandhi declared his intention about the future course before the viceroy and declared that he could break the salt law on the 11th of that month. Gandhi launched civil disobedience movement on 12th March 1930. On  12th March 1930, Gandhi proceeded on 240 mile march to Dandi along with 78 followers from Sabarmati ashram. Gandhi reached Dandi on 5th April 1930 and Dandi march ended on 6th April 1930 after breaking the salt law.

Program of Civil Disobedience Movement :-

~Violation of Salt law & British law/Government rules.

~Boycott of legal court, government colleges and government ceremonies,

~Stopping the payment of land revenue, rent and other taxes.

~Peaceful picketing of shops selling liquor and intoxicants.  

~Boycott of foreign goods and clothes.

~resignation from government posts.

(Non Co-operation Movement was launched for Swaraj whereas Civil Disobedience Movement aimed total independence).

Repression by the government :-The British tried repressive methods to curb this movement. On 21st May, about 25000 volunteers led by Sarojini Naidu,Imam Sahab and Mani Laal tour the factory of Dharsana, the government ordered lathi charge and they were beaten by iron rod. Web Miller, an American journalist provided first hand account of the struggle between satyagrahis and police in the magazine, New Freedom.

Shri Raj Gopalchari proceeded on Salt march from Trichannapali to Vedaranyam. K. Karappan, hero of Vaikom movement proceeded on Salt march from Calicut to Payannar. Jawahar Lal Nehru was arrested on 14 April 1930 for breaking Salt law. C. RajaGopalchari was arrested on 30 April 1930. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan popularly known as Frontier Gandhi also participated in this movement along with his organization, Khudai Khidmatgar or Red Shirt (Members of Khudai Khidmatgar used to wear red shirt).

Nagaland queen,Gidalu, revolted against British at the age of 13.

'No Tax,No revenue' movement was launched in Uttar Pradesh.

During Civil Disobedience Movement, Monkey movement was organized by boys and Manjari army by girls.

In June 1930, Congress and its associate organizations were declared illegal and all prominent leaders including Gandhi were arrested.

On July 9, 1930, Viceroy proposed Round Table Conference and dominion state for India.