Why Did Gandhiji Chide the Lawyers?

Mahatma Gandhi, fondly known as the Father of the Nation, was not only a freedom fighter but also a visionary leader whose methods of non-violence (Ahimsa) and truth (Satya) transformed India’s struggle for independence. Throughout his life, Gandhiji emphasized the importance of service to the nation, moral integrity, and self-reliance. His criticism of lawyers during the Champaran Satyagraha is a notable example of how he challenged the privileged classes to align their profession and actions with the greater good.

During the Champaran Satyagraha (1917)—Gandhiji’s first major civil disobedience movement in India—he encountered a group of lawyers who were profiting from the sufferings of poor indigo farmers. These farmers were forced by British planters to cultivate indigo under oppressive conditions. Gandhiji’s interaction with the lawyers revealed his deep concern for ethical conduct, leading him to chide them for their lack of commitment to the people’s cause.

But why did Gandhiji chide the lawyers? Let’s explore the reasons behind his criticism and understand its significance in the broader context of India’s freedom struggle.

1. Failure to Stand by the Poor Farmers

The primary reason Gandhiji chided the lawyers was their failure to stand by the oppressed indigo farmers when they needed help the most.

  • The lawyers in Champaran, many of whom were well-educated and financially secure, were charging high fees to represent the farmers in British courts.
  • Instead of fighting for justice, they were profiting from the legal battles that the farmers could barely afford.
  • Gandhiji believed that the duty of the educated class, especially lawyers, was to serve the people, not to exploit their misery.
  • He questioned their moral responsibility, asking:

    “What will happen to the poor peasants if you desert them? The real relief for them is to be free from fear.”

Thus, Gandhiji’s rebuke was a call for empathy and service, urging the lawyers to put the interests of the oppressed above personal gain.

2. Advocacy for Practical Service Over Legal Battles

Gandhiji believed that true service to the nation required practical action, not just legal representation.

  • The British courts were biased, and legal victories were uncertain.
  • Gandhiji argued that the real fight was not just a legal one but a moral and political struggle.
  • He wanted the lawyers to step out of their courtrooms and join the peasants in their non-violent protest.
  • For Gandhiji, direct action, such as Satyagraha (peaceful resistance), was more effective than fighting endless legal cases in colonial courts.

By chiding the lawyers, Gandhiji was urging them to engage with the people, understand their pain, and fight injustice through collective action, not just legal arguments.

3. Encouraging Courage and Moral Responsibility

Gandhiji chided the lawyers because he felt they lacked the courage to confront the British authorities.

  • When Gandhiji was summoned to appear in court for his involvement in the Champaran agitation, the lawyers initially hesitated to support him, fearing British reprisals.
  • Gandhiji questioned their commitment to the cause of justice, reminding them that:

    “If you go back, I shall not come out of jail.”

  • His firm stand inspired the lawyers to overcome their fear and support the peasants openly.
  • This moment became a turning point, as the lawyers pledged to fight alongside Gandhiji, regardless of the consequences.

Gandhiji’s criticism thus became a lesson in moral courage, showing that true leaders do not abandon the oppressed when the struggle intensifies.

4. Challenging the Exploitation of the Legal System

The colonial legal system was often used as a tool of oppression, and Gandhiji wanted the lawyers to recognize this injustice.

  • The British courts were designed to protect colonial interests, not to deliver justice to the common people.
  • By engaging in lengthy legal battles, the lawyers were unknowingly legitimizing a system that perpetuated injustice.
  • Gandhiji urged them to reject the exploitative system and adopt non-cooperation, showing that the people’s will was stronger than colonial laws.
  • His message was clear: “Lawyers should fight for justice, not just for legal victories.”

Thus, Gandhiji’s rebuke was a call for systemic change, asking the lawyers to rise above the colonial legal framework and fight for true freedom.

5. Promoting Selfless Service as True Patriotism

Gandhiji’s vision of Swaraj (self-rule) was rooted in the idea of selfless service.

  • He believed that freedom was meaningless unless it was accompanied by moral integrity and service to the weakest sections of society.
  • By chiding the lawyers, Gandhiji reminded them that their education and privilege came with the responsibility to uplift the downtrodden.
  • He wanted them to use their knowledge for the greater good, not for personal enrichment.
  • His actions in Champaran demonstrated that true patriotism lay in serving the poor, challenging injustice, and fighting fearlessly for truth.

6. Impact of Gandhiji’s Criticism on the Lawyers

Gandhiji’s words had a profound impact on the lawyers of Champaran.

  • Lawyers like Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishore Babu, and others joined Gandhiji in the Satyagraha, offering free legal aid to the peasants.
  • The united front of lawyers and peasants, under Gandhiji’s leadership, forced the British government to set up an inquiry committee that eventually abolished the oppressive indigo plantation system.
  • The Champaran victory became a template for future movements, showing how moral leadership, public participation, and courageous action could defeat colonial oppression.

Conclusion

Mahatma Gandhi chided the lawyers during the Champaran Satyagraha because he believed that:

  • They had failed to stand by the oppressed farmers, prioritizing personal gain over public service.
  • Legal battles alone were insufficient against a morally corrupt colonial system.
  • They lacked the courage to challenge British authority directly.
  • They needed to recognize their moral responsibility in uplifting the poor.
  • Selfless service, not just professional success, defined true patriotism.

Gandhiji’s rebuke served as a powerful reminder that the freedom struggle was not just about political independence but also about building a just, compassionate, and united society. His leadership in Champaran showed that real change comes when privileged classes, like the lawyers, stand with the oppressed, fight for justice, and serve without fear.

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