Religion Practice and Science of Non Violence

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

Page 87

Practice of Non-Violence
Ultimately a settlement was reached between Gandhi and the Viceroy and the Gandhi-Irwin Agreement was published on 5th March 1931. As a result of this Agreement many immediate and late objective were achieved by the satyagrahis. The Salt Laws were not repealed, but a new official interpretation was effected in the settlement, which specified that, ‘for the sake ... of giving relief to certain of the poorer classes, the Government would, extend their administrative provisions, on line, already prevailing in certain places in order to permit local residents in villages, immediately adjoining areas where salt can be collected or made, to collect or make salt for domestic consumption or sale within such villages, but not for sale to or trading with individuals outside them.'
The Government also agreed: (1) amnesty to persons convicted of non-violent offences in connection with civil disobedience; (2) withdrawal of the restraining ordinances; (3) restoration of confiscated, forfeited or attached properties; (4) administrative concession to make salt in certain areas. In return, civil disobedience was ended, and in particular the following activities were discontinued: (1) organized defiance of the provisions of the law; (2) movement for non-payment of land revenue and other legal dues; (3) publication of newssheets in support of civil disobedience; (4) attempts to influence civil and military servants or village officials against Government or to persuade them to resign their posts. Furthermore, it was agreed that a Round Table Conference would be held to consider such questions as federation, reservation of subjects (e.g. defence, external affairs) financial credit and position of minorities.
The non-violent resistance of the satyagrahis was exemplary throughout this campaign. All the other requirements of an ideal satyagraha were more than adequately met within it. Such a nation-wide satyagraha planned and executed as perfectly as possible, encouraged many Indians to believe that Indian independence was not far off-though in this they were mistaken.
Satyagraha struggles launched by Gandhi were successful to the extent to which the people who participated in them were prepared and trained. They failed partially or wholly when there were lacunae in their preparation and planning. That the whole