Religion Practice and Science of Non Violence

Author(s): O P Jaggi
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd

Page 81

Practice of Non-Violence
independent and impartial committee of inquiry to hold a thorough public investigation of all the evidence. But the Government paid no attention to the request.
Hence at the initiative and request of the peasants, who had already been told of their legal rights and the justice of their demands, a movement was led by Vallabhbhai Patel, with the inspiration and advice of Gandhi. Patel held several large meetings with the representatives, Hindus and Muslims like, from more than half the affected villages. He questioned them very closely to estimate their determination, strength and cohesion. He described fully and clearly to the peasants the possibilities and terrors of Government power. He told them frankly that the struggle might be prolonged indefinitely and he gave them several days to think it all over and to discuss it among themselves. Later, when they returned in still larger numbers and were fully resolved to enter upon the struggle, Patel led them to it. By this time all their efforts to get redress of their grievances from the government had proved in vain and they were left with no option but to offer satyagraha.
On 12th February 1928, with a resolution setting forth the demand for an enquiry and the refusal of the peasants to pay the assessment until the government either accepted the amount of the old assessment as full payment or until an impartial tribunal was appointed to investigate the entire situation, the satyagraha compaign was started.
Through the already existing social service centres, sixteen 'camps' were organized in different parts of the district. These camps were manned by 250 volunteers, who were disciplined in the techniques of satyagraha. There were other volunteers for collecting and passing on the news and whereabouts of the government officials and their plans. A news bulletin was printed every day and distributed to every village. 10,000 copies of it were distributed in the district while 4,000 were sent to subscribers outside. Patel's speeches were also distributed in pamphlet form. A printed pledge promising to stick together under their leaders, to adhere to truth, and to remain nonviolent, no matter what happened was signed by thousands of people. The remarkable feature was the active part taken by the women folk alongside the men.
The Government did its best to compel the peasants to pay