Satyagraha

Is a philosophy and practice of non-violent resistance developed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi).

"Satya" is the Sanskrit word for "truth". "Agraha" means "great enthusiasm and interest".

The combination of those two words means "the firmness of truth", but it can also mean "the force of truth".

"Shri Mangalal Gandhi was one of the competitors and he suggested the word sadagraha, meaning "firmness in a good cause". I likes the word, but it did not fully represent the whole idea I wished to connote I therefore corrected it to "Satyagraha". Truth (satya) implies love, and firmness (agraha) engenders and therefore served as a synonyme for force." (Mahatma Gandhi)

Gandhi called it the weapon of the strong. The object of Satyagraha is convert, not to coerce, the wrong-doer.

The concept of non-violence (ahimsa) and non-resistance has a long history in Indian religious thoughts.

Mahatma Gandhi says: "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no cause that I am prepared to kill for." (from the book "For Pacifists")

Rules for Satyagraha Campaigns

Gandhi proposed a series of rules for satyagrahis to follow in a resistance campaign:[9]

1. harbour no anger

2. suffer the anger of the opponent

3. never retaliate to assaults or punishment; but do not submit, out of fear of punishment or assault, to an order given in anger

4. voluntarily submit to arrest or confiscation of your own property

5. if you are a trustee of property, defend that property (non-violently) from confiscation with your life

6. do not curse or swear

7. do not insult the opponent

8. neither salute nor insult the flag of your opponent or your opponent’s leaders

9. if anyone attempts to insult or assault your opponent, defend your opponent (non-violently) with your life

10. as a prisoner, behave courteously and obey prison regulations (except any that are contrary to self-respect)

11. as a prisoner, do not ask for special favourable treatment

12. as a prisoner, do not fast in an attempt to gain conveniences whose deprivation does not involve any injury to your self-respect

13. joyfully obey the orders of the leaders of the civil disobedience action

14. do not pick and choose amongst the orders you obey; if you find the action as a whole improper or immoral, sever your connection with the action entirely

15. do not make your participation conditional on your comrades taking care of your dependents while you are engaging in the campaign or are in prison; do not expect them to provide such support

16. do not become a cause of communal quarrels

17. do not take sides in such quarrels, but assist only that party which is demonstrably in the right; in the case of inter-religious conflict, give your life to protect (non-violently) those in danger on either side

18. avoid occasions that may give rise to communal quarrels

19. do not take part in processions that would wound the religious sensibilities of any community