By Sanjeeb Kumar Sahoo
Even as the world is busy discussing the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war and the intensity of new COVID variant, opposition parties in India have united to attack the Modi-led government on the issues of regular rise in fuel prices and rising inflation. With assembly elections lined up in a few states later this year and next year and Lok Sabha elections in 2024, political circle is abuzz with new strategies and game plans for future.
Although the BJP looks well-settled to bat on for another term riding on Modi wave, opposition led by Congress can turn the tide in their favor if they can make a sustained connect to grassroots level. Even as there is much discontent regarding price rise, 90% of opposition parties and their leaders are silent over the issue fearing investigation agencies. Even this was confirmed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a book launch event in Delhi recently, where he revealed that his party leaders contacted Mayawati’s BSP for an alliance during 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls, but she didn’t respond to messages due to fear of CBI and ED.
Congress and other political parties are not acting hard, instead just protesting with a handful of people over price rise and submitting a memorandum letter before SDM, ADM, and collector offices. Such letters, without a thought, directly goes into trash cans. It is high time for Congress to change their strategy and stand strong and united in front of the Modi government. It is only then they will be able to leave a positive impact on people’s psyche.
Not just Congress, but any political party fighting BJP should stand strong with the people and make it a mass movement to pose an even challenge. The leaders should learn a leaf out of our pre-independence struggle on how mass movements made an impact on British rule. Twitter and social media trolling and hashtag wars are necessary to condition people’s brains, but are not sufficient for victory. It takes more than that.
Look at the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, not many leaders were involved in the movement, only Gandhi and peasants growing indigo with barely any payment for it. It was the first Satyagraha movement, for demanding legitimate price for their crops, led by Gandhi in British India. It took the form of a peasants rebellion in no time. The movement started on April 10, 1917
Gandhi’s main assault came as he was arrested by police on 16 April, on the charge of creating unrest and was ordered to leave the province. When asked by magistrate George Chander at Motihari district court on 18 April, to pay a security of Rs. 100, Gandhi humbly refused to be constrained by the diktat. Hundreds of thousands of people protested and rallied outside the court demanding his release, which the court unwillingly did. The case was subsequently withdrawn by the British Government.
Gandhi led organised protests and strike against the landlords, who with the guidance of the British government, signed an agreement granting more compensation and control over farming for the poor farmers of the region, and cancellation of revenue hikes and collection until the famine ended. The Champaran movement concluded with the introduction of ‘Champaran Agrarian Bill’ consisting of almost all recommendations Gandhi Mission had made and it became the Champaran Agrarian Law in 1918. This was for the first time that civil disobedience in India made the British adjust their “solipsistic attitude”.
A similar movement, almost 16 month long, was recently staged by farmers, at Singhu Border at the outskirts of the national capital, protesting against farm bills. Finally bills were repealed by this ‘over solipsistic government’, and ensued farmers’ victory.
The fight may take longer for Congress, but with a mass movement, victory is certain.
This editorial was originally published in the April 10, 2022 print edition of the National Political Mirror.
