THE CONCEPT

"The word Satya (Truth), is derived from Sat, which means being. And nothing is or exists in reality except Truth."
M.K. Gandhi, Young India, July 30 1931

"Truth (Satya) implies love, and firmness (Agraha) engenders and therefore serve as a synonym for force. I thus began to call the Indian movement "Satyagraha", that is to say, the Force which is born of Truth and Love or non-violence, and gave up the use of the phrase "passive resistance".
M.K. Gandhi, Satyagraha in South Africa

Satyagraha:  Its Basic Precepts
by Joan V. Bondurant
(from Conquest of Violence - the Gandhian Philosophy of Conflict, Princeton University Press 1958)

The most potent legacy Gandhi left to India was the technique of satyagraha. There was in this instrument of action, power to effect change. "Satyagraha" had become the cry of all those who felt aggrieved, and popular agitations, however organized and whatever their objective, were widely described as "satayagraha movements". Informed, responsible, and concerned Indians today reflect upon the use and meaning of "satyagraha" with misgivings, yet with hope; with fond memories, and yet with anxiety for the future. - - - The name has been seized upon to describe many forms of opposition to government, and to explain almost any direct social or political action short of organized violence.

Recent Indian history provides hundreds of satyagraha movements within many environments.

Code of Discipline

The following points were laid down by Gandhi as a code for volonteers in the 1930 movement:

1 Harbour no anger but suffer the anger of the opponent. Refuse to return the assault of the opponent.

2 Do not submit to any order given in anger, even though servere punishment is threatened for disobeying.

3 Refrain from insults and swearing.

4 Protect opponents from insult or attack, even at the risk of life.

5 Do not resist arrest nor the attachment of property, unless holding property as a trustee.

6 Refuse to surrender any property held in trust at the risk of life.

7 If taken prisoner, behave in an exemplary manner.

8 As a member of a satyagraha unit, obey the orders of satyagraha leaders, and resign from the unit in the event of serious disagreement.

9 Do not expect guarantees for maintenance of dependents.

Steps in a Satyagraha campaign

(a similar set of progressive steps have been listed in Krishnalal Shridharani's classic work
War Without Violence, New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1939, pp. 5-42)

The outline below is applicable to a movement growing out of grievances against an established political order.
These steps could be adapted to other conflict situations.

1 Negotiation and arbitration

2 Preparation of the group for direct action

3 Agitation

4 Issuing of an ultimatum

5 Economic boycott and forms of strike

6 Non-cooperation

7 Civil disobedience

8 Usurping of the functions of government

9 Parallel government

Gandhi and other Indian leaders accepted all who would join their campaigns. They developed tactics and rules as they moved to meet well-advanced situations of conflict. Had they been able to select their crusaders and to train them for their respective roles in the satyagraha operation, the movements might well have been even more dramatic.