Published October 4, 2026
Satyagraha vs Civil Disobedience
How civil disobedience fits inside Satyagraha and where the two ideas differ.
Civil disobedience means open, non-violent breach of a specific law, with acceptance of the legal penalty. It is a tool often used inside Satyagraha (as in the Salt March).
Satyagraha is broader. It includes:
- Non-cooperation and boycotts
- Constructive programmes (social work, education, self-reliance)
- Personal discipline and ahimsa in daily life
- Civil disobedience when a particular law is the focus
You can practise Satyagraha without breaking a statute (for example pure non-cooperation). Civil disobedience without the ethic of truth and non-violence is not Satyagraha in Gandhi’s sense.
Meaning: What is Satyagraha · Salt March: Salt March · Homepage: main guide.