Mahatma Gandhi's first non-violent Satyagraha campaign was organized on September 11, 1906, in South Africa. This event marked the beginning of his philosophy of Satyagraha, which emphasized the power of truth and non-violence in resisting injustice.
Background of the 1906 Satyagraha Campaign:
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Context: The Transvaal government in South Africa introduced a new law requiring all Indian citizens to register and carry passes, which included fingerprints and other personal details. This discriminatory law, known as the Asiatic Registration Act (also called the Black Act), was aimed at controlling and restricting the Indian population, which faced severe racial discrimination.
- Gandhi’s Leadership: In response to the law, Gandhi, who was already an established leader among the Indian community in South Africa, called for a mass meeting on September 11, 1906, at the Empire Theatre in Johannesburg. Here, he introduced the concept of Satyagraha, meaning "truth-force" or "soul-force," as a means of non-violent resistance.
- Oath of Satyagraha: During the meeting, those present, including prominent members of the Indian community, took a solemn oath to oppose the new law through peaceful non-cooperation and non-violent civil disobedience, refusing to register or carry the passes.
Impact of the 1906 Campaign:
- The campaign marked the first large-scale application of Satyagraha as a tool for political and social activism.
- It sparked years of peaceful resistance against unjust laws in South Africa and led to Gandhi being arrested multiple times.
- The success and influence of the South African Satyagraha laid the foundation for Gandhi’s future non-violent campaigns in India during the struggle for independence.
This 1906 movement was a turning point in Gandhi’s life and helped him refine the principles of non-violent resistance that would later become central to the Indian independence movement.
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