Mahatma Gandhi is feted as the leader of the non-violent campaign for India's independence. Many believe he showed how to change the world peacefully. But as Simon O'Neill explains, this is a myth that hides the truth about both the independence movement, and Gandhi's role in it.

The independence movement was ultimately held back by Gandhi's elitist ideas. According to George Orwell, who was a police officer in India, "Gandhi made it easier for the British to rule India, because his influence was always against taking any action that would make any difference." (The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell, Vol. 2, p136.)

Gandhi became involved in the struggle against British rule in 1915, joining Congress, the party of independence. Congress was divided into those who lobbied with petitions and those who advocated armed resistance. Initially at least, Gandhi's tactic of non-violent action took the movement forward by involving masses of Indians and uniting the various forces that wanted the British out: the millions of industrial and agricultural workers; the middle classes and professionals; and the Indian capitalists, anxious to be rid of the English tariffs and taxes.

But through action, the masses gained confidence and began to act independently. For example, in 1919 the British sought to extend wartime restrictions on civil rights, causing enormous resentment throughout India. Gandhi called a hartal, or general strike. The hugely successful action led to spontaneous mass marches and more strikes, as well as sporadic rioting.

In response the British machine-gunned 379 people to death and wounded another 1200 in the city of Amritsar. Protests and strikes broke out across India, and demonstrators clashed with police. Over 1,000 Indians and 4 British died in the disturbances.

Horrified at the violence, Gandhi called off the campaign, describing the hartal as "a blunder of Himalayan dimensions which had enabled ill-disposed persons, not true passive resisters at all, to perpetrate disorder." (R.P. Dutt, India Today, 1940, p304.) He turned his attention to reforms passed by the British parliament, and instructed the movement to "settle down quietly to work so as to make them a success." (Subas Chandra Bose, The Indian Struggle 1920-1934, p68.)

Last update : 04-04-2010 22:41

Keywords : Gandhi and The Myth of Non-Violence, Simon O'Neill

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