Question

Why did Gandhiji choose to break the salt law?

Answer 1

• To break the salt law, Gandhi declared that he would lead a march in 1930.
• As per salt law, the sale and manufacturing monopoly was in the hands of the State.
• As salt was an essential part of our food, Mahatma Gandhi and other nationalists tried to reason that it was sinful to impose tax on salt.
• Salt March was a specific grievance which related to the general desire for freedom. Hence there was no division between the poor and rich on the concerned issue.
• From Sabarmati to the coastal town of Dandi, Gandhi marched with his followers for a distance of 240 miles and then ended up breaking the government law on salt by gathering salt which was abundantly available on the seashore and salt was produced by boiling seawater.
• Large number of people participated in this march which included many women, tribals and peasants.
• A pamphlet on the salt issue was published by the business federation.
• Peaceful satyagrahis faced brutal repression from the Government who tried to demolish the movement and sent thousands of satyagrahis to jail.