Satyagraha and the Salt March

The Salt March, one of Gandhi’s successful non-violent protests en masse, was a titular moment in Gandhi’s satyagraha campaign and India’s bid for independence. The Salt March can also be said to be the perfect embodiment of Gandhi’s ideals of satyagraha. As defined by Gandhi, satyagraha is the act of non-violent protest and the conversion of your enemies to the ways of satyagraha. Satyagraha also includes the Janiast ideal of “relative truth”, that you must look at arguments presented by both sides and accept your opponents views, considering both sides as true. These ideals can all be seen in the components of the Salt March. The Salt March was based on the Salt Tax of India, a controversial tax on an everyday necessity. This attack on the everyday lives of the common Indian was a direct affront against humanity in Gandhi’s mind. Adhering to the ideas of Satyagraha, Gandhi informed the vice-roy of his plans in order to allow him to form his own opinions of the march and to take action accordingly. Then, following satyagraha to the T, he started a march of non-violent protest, all the while garnering more and more followers. This non-violent campaign and its successful result can be said to have perfectly embodied satyagraha.