Dharasana Satyagraha
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Dharasana Satyagraha was the next stage in Salt Satyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi. After making salt at Dandi, Gandhi decided to take over The Dharsana Salt Works at Dharsana in Gujrat, this was conveyed to the British Viceroy on May 4, 1930. Mahatma Gandhi was arrested immediately. However the Indian National Congress decided to continue with the proposed plan of action. Many of the Congress leaders were arrested before the planned day, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. However, the peaceful agitaion continued under the leadership of Sarojini Naidu and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Hundreds of Congress volunteers started marching towards the site of The Dharsana Salt Works and after being warned, they were beaten brutally by the local police. At the end the Congress workers were not able to take over the factory. However the event created an international uproar.
American Journalist's report who was an eye-witness.
| “ | Suddenly at a word of command scores of native policemen rushed upon the marchers and rained blows on their heads with their lathis (heavy wooden sticks with iron bands on them). Not one of the marchers even raised an arm to fend off the blows. They went down like ninepins. I heard the sickening whack of clubs on unprotected skulls. There was no fight, no struggle, the marchers simply walked forward until struck down. | ” |
Viceroy of India's letter to King George.
| “ | The police for a long time tried to refrain from action. After a time this became impossible. A good many people suffered minor injuries, but many more lay on the ground as if dead without any injury at all. The whole business was propaganda. | ” |
