Gandhians launch 94th salt satyagraha yatra in Trichy

TRICHY : The 94th Salt Satyagraha Yatra was launched from Trichy on Sunday by the Salt Satyagraha Dandi Yatra Memorial Committee . Commemorating the Dandi Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi against British salt monopoly in 1930 and reenacting the parallel ‘ Vedaranyam Salt March ’ organized by prominent independence activist C Rajagopalachari , Gandhians commenced the march from TSS Rajan memorial pillar near the Central Bus Terminus.

While the reenactment of the salt march typically begins annually at Trichy on April 13, organizers stated that they were denied permission for the event due to the conduct of the Lok Sabha election. On Sunday, dozens of Gandhians and social activists embarked on the journey using motorized vehicles.

After traversing through Kallanai, Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur, Aiyampettai, Darasuram, Kumbakonam, Nidamangalam, Mannargudi, Thiruthuraipoondi, the team plans to reach Vedaranyam to hold a token hunger strike protest between 9 am and 5 pm on Monday (April 29) to promote the teachings of the Father of the Nation.

“Students and youngsters must be educated about the sacrifices of independence activists during colonial rule. The Indian independence movement should be remembered, and the Salt March is one of the defining moments of the freedom struggle. We will organize small rallies and pay floral tributes at Gandhi statues throughout our journey,” said D Sakthi Selvaganapathy, president of the Dandi Yatra Memorial Committee.

Organizers recounted that in protest against the heavy taxes imposed on salt produce by British colonial rule, Gandhi’s close associate C Rajagopalachari, along with his followers, embarked on a march from Trichy to the salt pans of Agasthiyampalli near Vedaranyam on April 30, 1930. In remembrance of this event, Gandhians will collect salt grains at Agasthiyampalli salt pans on Tuesday (April 30).