Question

Why did the business class support the civil disobedience movement? why did the industrial working classes did not participate in large numbers?

Answer 1

From the very start, Gandhi had an agenda of Non -violence,Swaraj, Swadeshi and Boycott. The laws of British government were most oppressive. On 31 January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. These demands were of general interests which identified with all classes within Indian society. Salt was consumed by the rich and the poor alike. The salt tax was most stirring of all because government had monopoly over its production. The eleven demands were an ultimatum to the government failing to fulfill which he would resort to his agenda of swaraj. Hereby, Gandhi chose to break the salt law peacefully. This instigated the Civil disobedience movement and the salt march to Dandi.