Question

"Workers too had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the notion of Swaraj." Support the statement in context of plantation workers of Assam.

Answer 1

The plantation workers of Assam interpreted Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of Swaraj (self-rule) in their own unique way, which was shaped by their struggles and aspirations. Their understanding can be supported by the following points:

1. Freedom as the Right to Move Freely:
   • Plantation workers in Assam were bound by restrictive laws, such as the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, which prevented them from leaving the tea gardens without permission.
   • For them, Swaraj meant the right to move freely and return to their villages to reunite with their families.

2. Inspired by the Non-Cooperation Movement:

   • When Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), workers saw it as a call for their own liberation.
   • They believed that Swaraj would abolish bonded labor and end the harsh conditions in the plantations.

3. Mass Exodus from Plantations:

   • Inspired by the nationalist movement, thousands of plantation workers left the tea gardens and tried to return to their homes, defying the colonial restrictions.
   • Many of them were beaten, arrested, or even killed by the British authorities, but their actions reflected their deep desire for freedom.

4. Swaraj as Economic and Social Justice:

   • Unlike the middle-class nationalists, who saw Swaraj as political independence, workers associated it with better wages, dignity, and an end to exploitation.
   • They hoped that an independent India would bring fair working conditions and land rights.