“The eternal philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha lies in standing for the cause of the last men in the society and this was the reason why Mahatma Gandhi had given a clarion call to break the unjust salt tax”, said Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism. “He was speaking after releasing Dr. Y P Anand’s book entitled “Historical Background to the Imposition of Salt Tax under the British Rule in India (1757-1947) and Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha (1930-31) against the British Rule” at a function organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and Gandhi Ashram, Sabarmati in Gandhi Smriti here today.Dr. Sharma reiterated the call given by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on April 10 on the occasion of the 100 years of the Champaran Satyagraha, when he appealed to the Nation to pay a befitting tribute to Gandhiji by adopting Swachhagraha as part of their daily life style. He also spoke in details of how methodically Mahatma Gandhi chose salt as a medium to address a multitude of nation and led young and old alike into the mass movement for freedom. He said that a pinch of salt became a symbol of freedom.
Speaking about his book, Dr. Y P Anand, member High Level Dandi Memorial Committee and former Director National Gandhi Museum acknowledged the contribution of various people in the research work and compilation of archival materials of the book. While speaking about the historic Salt Satyagraha, he referred to Gandhiji’s meticulous approach in creating so much awareness that drew world attention.In her address Smt. Rashmi Verma, Secretary Ministry of Culture said, “Mahatma Gandhi’s Concept of Satyagraha is an exceptional and novel way to resist any form of injustice. This is the heart and soul of the entire Gandhian theory and philosophy, and his exclusive contribution to the modern Indian political thought. Through this mechanism, Gandhiji aimed at resisting any kind of unjust, impure or untruthful acts”. As a master communicator Gandhiji’s choice of salt – the common man’s daily and more so essential requirement as a symbol of protest that had left many amused. But soon Salt turned into a nightmare for the British when Gandhi had given a clarion call to his countrymen and the world when he urged for “World Sympathy in the battle of right against might”.