A law was being proposed to deny Indians the right to vote for members of the legislature. Gandhi felt it should be opposed, he remained in South Africa the next twenty years. Appealing to the common sense and morality of his adversary was key. It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honored by humiliation of their fellow human beings. Satyagraha is peaceful, opponents must be converted by a demonstration of purity, humility, and honesty.
Violence creates bitterness in the victim, and brutality in the attacker.
S atyagraha assumes there is a constant dialogue between the opponents with a view to ultimate reconciliation. Insults, threats, and propaganda only serve to obstruct the goal. The Problem India was a British Colony, and while in many ways it was a benevolent rule, it was still rule by another. The Indian people wanted their independence. They made it a crime for anyone in India to purchase salt from anyone but the British Government.