Public Meeting in Nadiad: Gandhi Advises Peasants to Boycott Land Revenue

The public meeting at Nadiad saw a significant gathering of approximately 5000 peasants, organized in response to severe hardships faced by farmers in the Kheda district. During a prolonged period of lower-than-expected agricultural yields, the colonial tax system continued to enforce full land revenue obligations on the inadequate produce of these farmers. The district, predominantly agricultural, struggled under the rigid demands of revenue payments, which were oppressive, given the meagre outputs from their harvests. Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent leader advocating for non-violent resistance and civil rights, addressed the assembly of beleaguered peasants. He provided a compelling oration rooted in principles of justice and fairness, urging the farmers to stand united against the unjust imposition of land revenue. Gandhi's advice to the peasants was clear: withhold payment of land revenue until their grievances were acknowledged and rectified. This counsel was part of a broader strategy of noncooperation and passive resistance, which he believed would not only highlight their plight but also compel the British administration to reconsider its policies. The impact of Gandhi's address in Nadiad was profound. It empowered the peasant community, offering them a structured form of peaceful protest, and significantly mobilized local and national support for their cause. The appeal to avoid land revenue payments galvanized the farmers, leading to a noticeable drop in the revenue collected by the British authorities from the Kheda district. This act of defiance became a pivotal element in the larger narrative of India's struggle for independence, emphasizing direct action and the power of collective nonviolence. The Kheda Satyagraha, as it became known, highlighted the efficacy of Mahatma Gandhi's methodologies and added momentum to the emerging independence movement. It also set a precedent for future campaigns against colonial exploitation, reinforcing the importance of courage and solidarity among the oppressed. #KhedaSatyagraha #MahatmaGandhi #NonviolentProtest #LandRevenue #PeasantStruggle #MoofLife