Question

On 5 April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi spoke at Dandi: When I left Sabarmati with my companions for this seaside hamlet of Dandi, I was not certain in my mind that we would be allowed to reach this place. Even while I was at Sabarmati, there was a rumour that I might be arrested. I had thought that the Government might perhaps let my party come as far as Dandi, but not me certainly. If someone says that this betrays imperfect faith on my part, I shall not deny the charge. That I have reached here is in no small measure due to the power of peace and non-violence: that power is universally felt. The Government may, if it wishes, congratulate itself on acting as it has done, for it could have arrested every one of us. In saying that it did not have the courage to arrest this army of peace, we praise it. It felt ashamed to arrest such an army. He is a civilised man who feels ashamed to do anything which his neighbours would disapprove. The Government deserves to be congratulated on not arresting us, even if it desisted only from fear of world opinion. Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law. Whether the Government will tolerate that is a different question. It may not tolerate it, but it deserves congratulations on the patience and forbearance it has displayed in regard to this party. … What if I and all the eminent leaders in Gujarat and in the rest of the country are arrested? This movement is based on the faith that when a whole nation is roused, and on the march, no leader is necessary. CWMG, VOL. 49

What does the speech tell us about how Gandhiji saw the colonial state?

Answer 1

1. Gandhi saw the colonial government as unjust because it imposed laws such as the salt tax on ordinary people.
2. At the same time, he believed that the government could be challenged through peace and non-violence.
3. He felt that British rule depended partly on the obedience and cooperation of Indians.
4. Gandhi believed that if people became united and fearless, the colonial government would find it difficult to control them.
5. He also thought that the government cared about public opinion and its image before the world.
6. Gandhi praised the government for not immediately arresting the marchers, but he made it clear that he would still break the salt law.
7. He believed that even if leaders were arrested, the movement should continue because ordinary people themselves could carry it forward.

Thus, Gandhi viewed the colonial state as powerful but not unbeatable. He believed that united, peaceful and determined resistance could weaken British authority.