Mahatma Gandhi was able to influence lawyers primarily through his strong conviction, sincerity, and personal example of selfless service. During the Champaran Satyagraha movement, he was prepared to go to jail for the cause of the oppressed peasants, which inspired the lawyers around him. When Gandhi was asked what the lawyers would do if he were imprisoned, they initially expressed doubts about continuing the fight. Gandhi made them realize it would be shameful for them to abandon the cause when he, an outsider, was ready to suffer imprisonment for the peasants. This motivated the lawyers to commit themselves to the struggle and even volunteer to follow him into jail if necessary. He also challenged the lawyers for charging high fees from the villagers and urged them to work selflessly for justice without seeking help from the British. This appeal to their conscience and sense of duty helped unite them in the non-violent fight for the peasants' rights.
Instances of Influence on Lawyers
- In Champaran, Gandhi insisted on truthfulness and non-violence, inspiring local lawyers to join the cause of the sharecroppers.
- He confronted lawyers in Muzaffarpur about their high fees, making them reconsider their priorities.
- When Gandhi refused to obey the police order to quit Champaran, many prominent lawyers stood by him despite the threat of imprisonment.
- His readiness to suffer jail without abandoning the peasants compelled lawyers to pledge support and readiness to face imprisonment themselves.
- Gandhi encouraged lawyers to be self-reliant and not dependent on British support, fostering an independent spirit in the legal fraternity fighting for social justice.
These actions showed Gandhi’s ability to inspire lawyers by appealing both to their professional ethics and their conscience, which resulted in their active participation in the freedom struggle via non-violent civil disobedience. This marked a significant turning point in India's legal and social activism for independence.
