The idea of satyagraha means "holding firmly to truth" or "insistence on truth." It is a philosophy and method of nonviolent resistance developed by Mahatma Gandhi in the early 20th century to confront injustice and oppression without hatred or violence
Key Aspects of Satyagraha
- Etymology: The word comes from Sanskrit, combining satya (truth) and agraha (firmness, insistence, or holding firmly), literally meaning "truth force" or "holding fast to truth"
- Philosophical foundation: Satyagraha is rooted in the Indian ideal of ahimsa (nonviolence) and the pursuit of truth as a universal principle. Gandhi saw truth and nonviolence as inseparable, with nonviolence being the means and truth the ultimate goal
- Practice: It involves active but nonviolent resistance to evil, including civil disobedience, non-cooperation, economic boycotts, fasting, and self-suffering to appeal to the conscience of the opponent rather than inflict harm
- Moral commitment: Practitioners, called satyagrahis , must adhere to high ethical standards such as truthfulness, nonviolence, fearlessness, control of desires, and respect for all religions
- Goals: Satyagraha aims not merely to defeat an opponent but to convert them through love, truth, and self-sacrifice, promoting social and political change while maintaining moral integrity
Historical Context
Gandhi first developed satyagraha in 1906 in South Africa to resist discriminatory laws against Indians, later applying it in India’s independence movement, notably in campaigns like Champaran and the Salt March
. Its influence extended globally, inspiring civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela
. In summary, satyagraha is a disciplined, principled form of nonviolent resistance based on unwavering adherence to truth and love, seeking justice through moral persuasion rather than coercion or violence
