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.