Consider the following statements relating to Gandhian strategy of Satyagraha I. Under the Gandhian strategy, which may be described as Struggle-Truce-Struggle (S-T-S), phase of a vigorous extra-legal mass movement and confrontation with colonial authority alternate with phases, during which direct confrontation is withdrawn II. The entire political process of S-T-S was an upward spiraling one, which also assumed that the freedom struggle would pass through several stages, ending with the transfer of power by the colonial regime itself Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Gandhian strategy of Struggle-Truce-Struggle (S-T-S) is a well-documented historical concept. Statement I is correct as the strategy involved alternating phases of vigorous extra-legal mass movement and confrontation with periods of withdrawal where direct confrontation was paused [c1, t2]. This 'truce' phase allowed the masses to recoup their strength and provided the government an opportunity to respond to nationalist demands [c1]. Statement II is also correct; the S-T-S process was envisioned as an upward spiraling movement [t2]. It assumed that the freedom struggle would advance through several progressive stages, eventually leading to the transfer of power by the colonial regime itself [t2]. This strategy was famously analyzed by historian Bipan Chandra, who noted that while the struggle had 'passive' phases, it effectively used constitutional space to undermine colonial hegemony [t4, t6].

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 20: Debates on the Future Strategy after Civil Disobedience Movement > The First Stage Debate > p. 403
2. [2] https://www.davcollegekanpur.ac.in/assets/ebooks/History/India%E2%80%99s%20Struggle%20for%20Independence%20Bipan%20chandra.pdf