Individual Satyagraha (1940) is part of Modern History of India. Below are notes on 4 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers (coming soon).

First Satyagrahi: Vinoba Bhave

  • Individual Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi in October 1940.
  • Purpose: To protest India's forced participation in WWII and assert the right to freedom of speech against war.
  • First Satyagrahi selected by Mahatma Gandhi: Acharya Vinoba Bhave.
  • Vinoba Bhave commenced the Satyagraha from Pavnar, Maharashtra.
  • Second Satyagrahi: Jawaharlal Nehru. utive Council; rejected by the Muslim League for not explicitly granting Pakistan.
  • Cripps Mission (1942): Proposed post-war Dominion status with an option for provinces to opt out of the Indian Union, implicitly accepting the principle of partition. Rejected by the League (demanded a clearly defined Pakistan) and Congress.
  • Quit India Movement (1942): Mass arrests of Congress leaders further widened the political vacuum, allowing the Muslim League to operate with less opposition and consolidate its position.
  • Muslim League's Ascent: British policy of 'divide and rule' and the absence of Congress allowed the League to gain significant political ground and propagate its demand for Pakistan.
  • 1943 Muslim League Ministries: During this period, Muslim League ministries were installed in Sind, NWFP, Bengal (under Khwaja Nazimuddin), and Assam (under Syed Muhammad Saadulla).
  • Hardening of Demand: The Lahore Resolution, Cripps offer's opt-out clause, Congress's political vacuum, and the formation of League ministries demonstrated growing support and resolve for Pakistan.

Nature and distinctive features of the movement

  • Adopted by the Indian National Congress in October 1940, after the failure of the August Offer.
  • It was a symbolic, non-violent, and limited protest by chosen individuals, not a mass civil disobedience movement.
  • Primary objective was to affirm the right to freedom of speech and to protest against the British government's unilateral decision to involve India in World War II.
  • Satyagrahis would openly declare their opposition to the war through a public speech, and then march towards Delhi, hence known as the 'Delhi Chalo' movement.
  • The first Satyagrahi was Acharya Vinoba Bhave (October 17, 1940).
  • Jawaharlal Nehru was the second Satyagrahi chosen for the movement.
  • The movement was briefly suspended in December 1940, resumed in January 1941, and then faded out.

Second Satyagrahi: Jawaharlal Nehru

  • Individual Satyagraha initiated in October 1940.
  • Mahatma Gandhi selected the Satyagrahis.
  • Acharya Vinoba Bhave was the First Individual Satyagrahi.
  • Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the Second Individual Satyagrahi.

44. Cripps Mission (1942)

Spread and participation of other prominent leaders

  • Key National Satyagrahis of Individual Satyagraha (1940):
    • First Satyagrahi: Acharya Vinoba Bhave (began from Pawnar).
    • Second Satyagrahi: Jawaharlal Nehru.
    • Third Satyagrahi: Brahma Dutt.
  • Prominent Regional Satyagrahis & Associated Places (1940):
    • Bihar's first Satyagrahi: Shri Krishna Singh.
    • Yatiyatanlal Jain: Durg
    • Ramgopal Tiwari: Raipur
    • Ratnakar Jha: Bilaspur
  • Japan's rapid advance in Southeast Asia (Malaya, Singapore, Burma) posed a direct threat to India.
  • Fall of Rangoon (Burma) in March 1942 heightened the threat to India.
  • Allied powers (USA, China, Australia) pressured Britain to secure India's full cooperation in the war effort.
  • Cripps Mission was dispatched to India in March 1942.