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  Mahatma Gandhi on Satyagraha. It is said of 'passive resistance' that it is the weapon of the weak, but the power which is the subject of this article can be used only by the strong. This power is not passive resistance; indeed it calls for intense activity. The movement in South Africa was not passive, but active. 'Satyagraha is not physical force. A Satyagrahi does not inflict pain on the adversary; he does not seek his destruction. In the use of Satyagraha, there is no ill-will whatever'. 'Satyagraha is pure soul force. Truth is the very substance of the soul. That is why this force is called Satyagraha. The soul is informed with knowledge. In it burns the flame of love. Non-violence is the supreme dharma'. 'It is certain that India cannot rival Britain or Europe in force of arms. The British worship the war-God and they can all of them become, as they are becoming, bearers of arms. The hundreds of millions in India can never carry arms. They made the religion of non-violence their own'. Read the above text carefully. What did Mahatma Gandhi mean when he said Satyagraha is active resistance?

Answer:

                What Gandhiji meant about Satyagraha being active resistance was that it requires a lot of soul force activity. It involves very great sacrifices to be made, which can be done only by strong-willed persons. It requires resistance to oppression without using any force. It emphasises the power of truth and the need to search for it. If the cause is true, physical force is not necessary to fight the oppressor. The Satyagrahi could win the battle against the oppressor by appealing to his conscience, by persuading him to see the truth.