Individual Satyagraha and Nehru as Gandhi’s Successor
Modern History › The Second World War and the Nationalist Response · Topic 22.5
With the government refusing constitutional advance until the Congress agreed with the Muslim leaders, Gandhi began a limited individual satyagraha at the end of 1940, with selected individuals offering an anti-war declaration; Vinoba Bhave was first and Nehru second, and 25,000 had been convicted by May 1941. In December 1941, after the leaders' release, Gandhi designated Nehru his successor.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · The Second World War and the Nationalist Response
At a Glance
- Began Towards the end of 1940
- First two satyagrahis Vinoba Bhave, then Nehru
- Scale 25,000 convicted by May 1941
- Successor Nehru designated by Gandhi at the end of 1941
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: The Second World War and the Nationalist Response
Where Does It Fit?
This is the fifth topic of the category on the Second World War and the nationalist response. The previous topic covered the August Offer. This topic covers the individual satyagraha and Gandhi’s choice of Nehru. The next topic covers the Cripps Mission. Previous topic: August Offer, 1940.
Why Was Individual Satyagraha Launched?
The government took the adamant position that no constitutional advance could be made until the Congress came to an agreement with the Muslim leaders. It issued ordinance after ordinance taking away freedom of speech, of the press and of association. Towards the end of 1940 the Congress again asked Gandhi to take command. He began steps that would lead to a mass struggle within his broad strategic perspective, deciding to start a limited satyagraha on an individual basis by a few selected individuals in every locality. The August Offer that preceded it is in August Offer, 1940.
What Were the Aims?
The aims were, first, to show that nationalist patience was not due to weakness. Second, to express people’s feeling that they were not interested in the war and made no distinction between Nazism and the double autocracy that ruled India. And third, to give the government another opportunity to accept Congress demands peacefully.
How Did It Work?
The demand of the satyagrahi would be freedom of speech against the war through an anti-war declaration. If the government did not arrest the satyagrahi, he or she would repeat it and move into villages and start a march towards Delhi, which would precipitate a movement known as the Delhi Chalo Movement. Vinoba Bhave was the first to offer the satyagraha, and Nehru the second. By May 1941, 25,000 people had been convicted for individual civil disobedience.
| Date | Wider events |
|---|---|
| June 1941 | Germany attacked Russia, which was drawn into the war |
| December 1941 | Japan attacked Pearl Harbour |
| March 1942 | Japan occupied Rangoon after overrunning almost all of South-East Asia |
What Did the Congress Offer in December 1941?
The Congress leaders were released in December 1941, in the midst of Japan’s aggressive actions, and were anxious to defend Indian territory and to help the Allies. The Working Committee overrode Gandhi’s and Nehru’s objections and passed a resolution offering to cooperate with the government in the defence of India, if full independence were given after the war and the substance of power were transferred immediately.
Why Did Gandhi Choose Nehru as Successor?
It was at this time that Gandhi designated Nehru as his chosen successor. Nehru and Gandhi differed in temperament and in their attitudes to modernity, religion, God, the State and industrialisation. Nehru was indifferent to religion, while Gandhi believed deeply in his own version of God. Nehru thought industrialisation the only answer to India’s poverty, while Gandhi called for reviving the rural economy. Nehru believed in the power of the modern State to reform society, while Gandhi distrusted State power and trusted the conscience of individuals and communities.
Despite these differences, Nehru revered Gandhi, and Gandhi, it is said, believed in Nehru more than his own sons. They also shared fundamentals: patriotism in an inclusive sense, identifying with India as a whole rather than a caste, language, region or religion, and a belief in non-violence and democratic government. Rajmohan Gandhi writes in The Good Boatman that Gandhi preferred Nehru to the alternatives, since he most reliably reflected the pluralist and inclusive idea of India that Gandhi himself stood for. The alternatives, Patel, Rajaji, Azad, Kripalani and Rajendra Prasad, had somewhat sectional interests and affiliations. Nehru was a Hindu whom Muslims could trust, a north Indian respected in the south, and a man admired by women, an all-India leader who gave Indians hope.
As an analytical point, Gandhi’s choice shows that he put the inclusive character of the movement above agreement on ideas, since Nehru differed with him on several principles but could speak for the whole country. The wartime offer of December 1941 is carried forward in Cripps Mission, 1942, and the earlier comparison of Gandhi with another leader is in Gandhi and Bose: Ideological Differences.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Individual satyagraha Aims and first satyagrahis are Prelims facts
- Gandhi’s successor A frequent question on Gandhi and Nehru
- Wartime offer Shows the Congress shift after Japan entered the war
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Cripps Mission of 1942. Next topic: Cripps Mission, 1942.
Key People and Terms
- Individual satyagraha A limited satyagraha by selected individuals
- Vinoba Bhave The first satyagrahi
- Delhi Chalo The march towards Delhi planned if satyagrahis were not arrested
- Anti-war declaration The statement each satyagrahi made
- Pearl Harbour The Japanese attack of December 1941
- The Good Boatman Rajmohan Gandhi’s book on Gandhi
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Individual satyagraha: late 1940; first Vinoba Bhave, second Nehru.
- 25,000 convicted by May 1941.
- Aim: show patience was not weakness.
- Japan attacked Pearl Harbour in December 1941; took Rangoon in March 1942.
- Gandhi named Nehru his successor.
Do Not Confuse With
- Individual satyagraha and mass satyagraha A limited selected-person action versus a mass movement
- Delhi Chalo of 1941 and the INA’s Delhi Chalo The 1941 plan was Gandhi’s; the INA used the slogan later
- Nehru and Gandhi Differed on industry and religion, shared inclusive nationalism
Memory Hook
Vinoba first, Nehru second, then Nehru as heir.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the nature and aims of the individual satyagraha. These points add depth.
- Method Selected individuals and an anti-war declaration
- Purpose Show patience, state the stand, offer another chance
- Leadership Gandhi’s choice of Nehru
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Why did Gandhi launch an individual satyagraha in 1940, and why did he choose Nehru as his successor?”
How to Answer
- Context Government’s refusal and ordinances.
- Method and aims Individual satyagraha.
- Successor Nehru’s all-India appeal.
- Conclude A limited action before a larger struggle.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the individual satyagraha of 1940-41?
Towards the end of 1940, Gandhi began a limited satyagraha by selected individuals in each locality, who made anti-war declarations. If not arrested they were to repeat it and march towards Delhi. Vinoba Bhave was first, Nehru second, and 25,000 were convicted by May 1941.
What were the aims of the individual satyagraha?
Its aims were to show that nationalist patience was not weakness, to express that people were not interested in the war and saw no difference between Nazism and the double autocracy ruling India, and to give the government another chance to accept Congress demands peacefully.
Why was it called the Delhi Chalo Movement?
If the government did not arrest a satyagrahi, he or she was to repeat the declaration and move into villages and march towards Delhi, which would start a movement known as the Delhi Chalo Movement.
What did the Congress offer the government in December 1941?
After the leaders were released, the Working Committee offered to cooperate in the defence of India if full independence was promised after the war and the substance of power was transferred immediately, overruling Gandhi's and Nehru's objections.
Why did Gandhi choose Nehru as his successor?
According to Rajmohan Gandhi, Nehru best reflected Gandhi's pluralist and inclusive idea of India: a Hindu whom Muslims trusted, a northerner respected in the south, and admired by women. The other leaders had more sectional affiliations, though Nehru differed from Gandhi on religion and industry.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Vinoba Bhave was the first to offer individual satyagraha in 1940.
Nehru was the second.
2 By May 1941 about 25,000 people had been convicted for individual civil disobedience.
It was a limited satyagraha.
3 Individual satyagraha demanded freedom of speech against the war.
The satyagrahi made an anti-war declaration.
4 Gandhi chose Sardar Patel as his successor in 1941.
He designated Nehru.
5 Japan attacked Pearl Harbour in December 1941.
It occupied Rangoon in March 1942.
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