How did people and the colonial government react to the Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain.

Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. He ceremonially violated the salt law and launched a civil disobedience movement in 1930.

Peoples’ reaction−Thousands from different parts of the country broke the salt law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of the government salt factories. As the movement spread, foreign cloth was boycotted, and liquor shops were picketed. Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes, village officials resigned, and in many places forest people violated forest laws − going into Reserved Forests to collect wood and graze cattle.

Government’s reaction − The colonial government began arresting the Congress leaders one by one. Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, was arrested in April 1930. The government made the angry crowd face the armoured cars and police firing. Many were killed. When the industrial workers of Sholapur attacked police posts protesting against Gandhi's imprisonment, the government responded with a policy of brutal repression. Peaceful Satyagrahis were attacked and about 100,000 people were arrested.