“Tribal peasants interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of Swaraj in another way and participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement differently.” Justify the statement.
- In the early 1920s a militant guerrilla movement spread in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh.
- The colonial government had closed large forest areas, preventing people from entering the forests to graze their cattle, or to collect fuelwood and fruits. This enraged the hill people.
- Livelihoods and traditional rights were denied.
- When the government began forcing them to contribute begar for road building, the hill people revolted.
- Alluri Sitaram Raju said he was inspired by the Non-Cooperation Movement, and persuaded people to wear khadi and give up drinking.
- Alluri Sitaram Raju asserted that India could be liberated only by the use of force, not non-violence.
- The Gudem rebels attacked police stations, attempted to kill British officials and carried on guerrilla warfare for achieving swaraj.
Good