Question

“Tribal peasants interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of ‘Swaraj’ in yet another way.” Explain the statement in the context of Non-Cooperation Movement.

Answer 1

The tribal peasants joined in the Non-Cooperation Movement in diverse ways and had different interpretations of Mahatma Gandhi’s message and the concept of Swaraj. For instance, in the early 1920s, a fierce guerrilla movement expanded throughout Andhra Pradesh’s Gudem Hills. The Congress could not support this kind of conflict. They opposed colonial policies and control because it impacted their way of life and denied them their traditional rights.

Alluri Sitaram Raju, the guerilla movement’s leader, praised Mahatma Gandhi and claimed that Swaraj and the Non-Cooperation Movement inspired him. He convinced people to abstain from alcohol and wear khadi. However, he also claimed that force, not non-violence, was the only way to free India. In order to achieve Swaraj, the Gudem rebels engaged in guerilla warfare, attacked police stations, and made an attempt to assassinate British officials.