Champaran Satyagraha and the Political Symbolism of Blue

The Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Gandhi’s first civil disobedience movement in India, emerged from the exploitation of indigo cultivators. 

• The indigo “blue” later faded from popular memory; but resurfaced through Ambedkar’s symbolism, acquiring lasting political and social meaning. 

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

It was the first Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi in India and is considered a historically important revolt in the Indian Independence Movement. Champaran is a district in North Western Bihar.

Background

• Tinkathia System: It began in the early nineteenth century when peasants forced to m to cultivate indigo on 3/20th of their land, a practice known as the tinkathia system.
• Impact of German Synthetic Dyes: Towards the end of the nineteenth century, it reduced the demand for natural indigo, making indigo cultivation unprofitable for European planters.
• Planters’ Exploitation: Instead of releasing peasants unconditionally, European planters demanding enhanced rents and illegal payments as a price for freeing cultivators from indigo cultivation.
• Early Peasant Resistance: Resistance against the oppressive system surfaced as early as 1908, but the grievances of the peasants remained unresolved for several years.

Gandhi’s Intervention

• Role of Raj Kumar Shukla: Raj Kumar Shukla, a peasant from Champaran, persistently followed Mahatma Gandhi across the country and persuaded him to visit Champaran to investigate the plight of indigo cultivators.
• Gandhi’s Arrival in Champaran: Mahatma Gandhi reached Champaran along with leaders such as Rajendra Prasad, Mazharul Haq, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parekh, and J.B. Kripalani to inquire into the peasants’ grievances.
• Civil Disobedience Against Unjust Orders: Upon his arrival, the colonial authorities ordered Gandhi to leave Champaran immediately, but he defied the order and expressed his willingness to face punishment for his disobedience.
  • Contrast with Earlier Leaders: This act was exceptional, as earlier leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant had complied with similar expulsion orders, even while organizing public protests against them.
  • Pioneering Passive Resistance: Gandhi’s defiance marked one of the earliest instances of civil disobedience or passive resistance against an unjust colonial order in India, setting a new method of political struggle.
• Government Retreat and Inquiry: Faced with growing public support, the authorities withdrew their order and appointed a committee of inquiry into the Champaran issue, including Gandhi as a member.
• Gandhi’s Evidence-Based Demand: Drawing upon testimonies from nearly 8,000 peasants, Gandhi successfully demanded the abolition of the tinkathia system and compensation for illegally collected dues.
• Compromise on Compensation: As a strategic compromise, Gandhi agreed that planters refund only 25% of the unlawfully extracted money, emphasizing moral victory over material restitution.
• Final Outcome: Within a decade, European planters abandoned Champaran altogether, marking Gandhi’s first major success in civil disobedience on Indian soil.

Associated Leaders:  Prominent leaders associated with the Champaran Satyagraha included Brajkishore Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Ramnavmi Prasad, and Shambhusharan Varma.

Historical Significance

• The Champaran Satyagraha is widely regarded as Gandhi’s first decisive experiment with satyagraha in India and a turning point that brought peasant issues into the national freedom movement.
• Link to Later Movements: The movement was soon followed by the Ahmedabad mill workers’ strike and the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918, and later inspired nationwide movements against the Rowlatt Acts and the Non-Cooperation Movement

Ambedkar and the Return of the Colour Blue

• Symbolic Re-emergence: The indigo blue resurfaced through B.R. Ambedkar, whose public image consistently featured a blue suit and the Constitution.
• Political Institutionalisation: Ambedkar chose blue as the flag colour of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation (1942) and later the Republican Party of India (1956).
• Textual Engagement: In Riddles of Hinduism, Ambedkar cited Hindu scriptures linking varna with colour, noting that Shudras were assigned dark colours, often black or blue

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Blue Chakra and Constitutional Values

• National Symbolism: The Ashoka Chakra, a blue wheel at the centre of the Indian flag, symbolises dharma, justice, and motion.
• Deeper Meaning: The blue wheel reflects the right to assemble peaceably, civil disobedience, and inclusion of marginalised voices.
• Unkept Promises: It also stands as a reminder of constitutional ideals yet to be fully realised, especially social justice

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