Jan-Mar (2024)

Beyond Salt and Symbolism: Women’s Political Resistance and the Transformative Role of Gender in the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930

Peer Amir Ahmad

Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Govt. Degree College Majalta, J&K

The Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 marked a decisive phase in India’s struggle against British colonial rule. The Lahore Congress of 1929 declared complete independence, paving the way for mass resistance under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership. His strategic defiance of the Salt Laws served as a catalyst for nationwide mobilisation, particularly drawing women into active political engagement. Despite initial apprehensions, women’s participation extended beyond symbolic gestures to direct confrontation with colonial authority, including protests, picketing, and defying repressive laws. British responses, such as brutal assaults, imprisonment, and legislative curtailments, sought to suppress women’s agency but instead strengthened their resolve. Prominent figures like Kamla Devi Chattopadhyaya emerged as key leaders, challenging British policies through both national activism and international advocacy. Their resistance, including resignations from official positions and courtroom defiance, underscored their commitment to dismantling colonial legitimacy. Women’s radical involvement in the movement not only challenged British rule but also reshaped India’s socio-political landscape, ensuring their continued role in future nationalist struggles and laying a foundation for gender-inclusive political activism in independent India.

Keywords: Civil Disobedience, Women’s Resistance, Salt Satyagraha, Colonial Repression, Nationalist Struggle
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