What are the steps in a Gandhian Satyagraha campaign?

Steps in a Gandhian Satyagraha campaign:
  1. Negotiation and arbitration. Every effort to resolve the conflict or redress the grievance through established channels must be exhausted before further steps are undertaken.

  2. Preparation of the group for direct action. Before any direct action is taken in a conflict situation, motives are to be carefully examined, exercises in self-discipline must be initiated, discussions are to be conducted within the group regarding issues at stake, appropriate procedures to be undertaken, the circumstances of the opponent, the climate of public opinion, etc.

  3. Agitation. This step includes an active propaganda campaign together with such demonstrations as mass meetings, parades, slogan-shouting.

  4. Issuing of an ultimatum. A final strong appeal to the opponent should be made explaining what further steps will be taken if no agreement can be reached.

  5. Economic boycott and forms of strike. Picketing may be widely employed, together with continued demonstrations and education of the public. Sitting dharna (a form of sit-down strike) may be employed, as well as non-violent labour strike, and attempts to organize a general strike.

  6. Non-cooperation. Depending upon the nature of the issues at stake, such action as non-payment of taxes, boycott of schools and other public institutions, ostracism, or even voluntary exile may be initiated.

  7. Civil disobedience. Great care should be exercised in the selection of laws to be contravened. Such laws should be either central to the grievance, or symbolic.

  8. Usurping of the functions of government.

  9. Parallel government. The establishment of parallel functions should grow out of step-8, and these should be strengthened in such a way that the greatest possible cooperation from the public can be obtained.


This piece of information is curate organized and wrote by Thomas Varkey in his paper ‘The Myth and Meaning of the Gandhian Concept of Satyagraha’.


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