Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi was epic Indian political leader and anti colonial nationalist. Gandhi should be among the first characters in our mind when we imagine ideal politician He is most known for efficiently applying nonviolent resistant movements and protests which became very efficient. Although he played key roles in formal Indian politics he remained close and devoted to the community and average people never falling under the influence of power which he could have exercised in different ways.
Gandhi was born and raised in Hindu family on October 2nd 1869 in Gujarat located in western India. He started his career in law but as he moved to South Africa in 1891 he became active in non violent campaigns for civil rights. At the time (and still to a certain extent today) South Africa was one of the worst places in the world regarding racial oppression what motivated Gandhi to become involved in activism and politics which sparked the development of his resistance leading character and charisma. He returned to India when he was 45 and started a series of successful civic and political campaigns:
SATYAGRAHA CAMPAIGN (SOUTH AFRICA 1906-1914)
Causes
- A law was enacted in 1906 which required fingerprinting of all male Asians in the Transvaal Province including the obligation to carry some type of a pass. In 1913 the government introduced 3GBP tax on ex-indentured Indians and also refused to recognize Indian marriages.
Gandhi’s WHAT TO DO strategy
- Gandhi started a non violent movement known as Satyagraha or Truth-Force – he urged Indians to defy the new laws under the risk of suffering punishments
Struggles
- During the 7 year struggle of Satyagraha (from 1906 – 1913) the resistance movement participants were punished hard – thousands were jailed, beaten and even shot but people did not quit protest.
IT CAN BE DONE indicator
- As a result of resistance the government finally gave up on these discriminating laws so in 1914 Indian Releif Act was passed: the 3GBP tax was removed, Indian marriages were recognized and they were allowed to move freely to Transvaal.
More campaigns coming up soon!
