Growth of Nationalism in India (1858-1905)

Early Nationalist Leaders’ Strategies:

Constitutional Methods:

The early nationalist leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose, employed constitutional methods to challenge British colonial rule. These methods included:

• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation with the British government, including refusal to pay taxes, boycott of British goods, and withdrawal of students from government-run institutions.
• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): Nehru and other leaders employed civil disobedience tactics, such as salt marches, picketing, and boycotts, to protest British rule.
• Participation in Electoral Politics: Nationalist leaders contested elections and won seats in the Indian Legislature Council, demonstrating their strength and exerting pressure on the British government.

Public Meetings:

The early nationalist leaders also used public meetings to mobilize support and convey their message. These meetings were often accompanied by:

• Mass Gatherings: Large-scale gatherings with thousands of participants, promoting nationalistic sentiments and condemning British rule.
• Rallies and Demonstrations: Processions and marches through streets, carrying national flags and banners, to express solidarity with the nationalist movement.
• Speeches and Oratory: Passionate speeches that inspired and mobilized the masses, conveying national pride, anger at British rule, and determination for independence.

Recent Examples:

• Anna Hazare’s Movement (2011): A mass movement led by Anna Hazare, a social activist, against corruption in Indian politics. The movement employed public meetings, rallies, and demonstrations to mobilize public support.
• JNU Students’ Protest (2016): A student protest against the government’s alleged interference in university affairs and the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The protest involved public meetings, rallies, and online campaigns to mobilize support.
• Farmers’ Protest (2020): A nationwide protest by farmers against the government’s agricultural reforms. The protest employed public meetings, rallies, and online campaigns to mobilize support and put pressure on the government.

Vernacular Press and Nationalist Movement: 

Introduction:

The vernacular press played a crucial role in disseminating nationalist ideas and mobilizing public opinion against colonial rule in India. The vernacular press, which catered to the local language and audience, was a vital medium for spreading nationalist sentiments and challenging British authority.

Key Points:

• Mass Reach: The vernacular press had a massive reach, with millions of readers across the country. This allowed nationalist leaders to spread their message and ideas to a wide audience.
• Local Focus: The vernacular press focused on local issues and concerns, making it more relatable to the readers. This helped to create a sense of national identity and unity among the people.
• Nationalist Propaganda: The vernacular press was used as a powerful tool for spreading nationalist propaganda, including anti-British sentiments, nationalistic ideals, and calls for independence.
• Counter-Narrative: The vernacular press provided a counter-narrative to the British colonial narrative, presenting an alternative perspective on Indian history, culture, and identity.

Recent Examples:

• The Hindutva Movement: The rise of Hindutva ideology in the 1980s and 1990s saw the vernacular press playing a crucial role in spreading nationalist ideas and mobilizing public opinion. Newspapers like the RSS’s Organiser and the VHP’s Panchjanya propagated Hindu nationalist ideology.
• The Anna Hazare Movement: The anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011 saw widespread coverage in the vernacular press. Newspapers like Loksatta and Prajashakti played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion and creating a sense of national outrage.
• The Kashmir Conflict: The ongoing conflict in Kashmir has seen the vernacular press playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion. Newspapers like Kashmir Times and Greater Kashmir have been critical of the government’s policies and have presented alternative perspectives on the conflict.

Challenges:

• Censorship: The colonial government censored newspapers that were critical of their policies, limiting their ability to disseminate nationalist ideas.
• Financial Constraints: The vernacular press faced financial constraints, making it difficult for them to sustain their operations and reach their target audience.
• Language Barriers: The use of different languages in the vernacular press created barriers for readers who were not fluent in those languages.