Historical Significance and the Effectiveness of the Hunger Strike: Analytical Essay

My article explores the historical significance and the effectiveness of the Hunger strike as a passive protest against perceived injustice. This exposition will debunk the socio-political significance of this practice’s significance with a particular focus on how Bobby Sands and Mahatma Gandhi are a form of non-confrontational protest. The analyses will involve exploring various forms of literature covering the origin of hunger strikes and how it has become a powerful political tool that involves non-violent resistance or pressure for change. Consequently, the controversies’ role is contiguous to Bobby Sands and Gandhi’s protests and the socio-political impact they produced.

The non-confrontational protests involving the hunger strike has be a controversial historical practice closely linked to the early Celtic and Hindu societies. Most of the literary works that explore the origins of Hunger strikes do not specify the exact beginning of this practice, but using the Celtic and Hindu societies is a reference. The study of hunger strikes gained the interest of scholars such as John A. Costello, who explored the Brehon Laws system as the origin of the practice of Hunger strike. Under this legal system, Troscad or Fasting was a legal form of addressing grievances, compelling justice, and establishing one’s rights . Peter Berresford Ellis later covered this practice in his publication, The Druids¸ where he demonstrated the religio-political significance of Troscad as a martyrdom for Irish heroes . According to Ellis, the death of Bobby Sands was very symbolic of the religio-political martyrdom of an Irish hero in the quest for social justice.

The literary works of Both Costello and Ellis briefly touch on the similarities between the religious fasting in Celtic religion and dharna in Hindu traditions. Ellis highlighted that fasting as a religious practice dates back to 200 BCE under Manu’s Laws and the practice of prayopavesana (suicide through self-starvation). On the other hand, Costello linked Troscad to dhurna, highlighting that both practices were similar since they both involved a quest for justice by the alleged victim who will starve until reparation. In his publication in 1958, Mitra also explored the socio-political impact of dhurna among the Indian communities. He defined these practices as the act of demanding justice or compliance with a just request by sitting and fasting at the doorstep of an offender. According to the author, it has a profoundly religious and emotional significance putting moral pressure on the oppressor to dispense justice.

The 20th century has witnessed the use of hunger strikes as a useful political tool for gaining social influence and pressuring authorities to amend less popular regulations. George Sweeney highlighted that the Troscad to dhurna, which were the earliest forms of hunger strikes, were majorly grounded on religion. The individual who starved themselves had a religio-political motivation to bring out change by imposing moral pressure to the alleged offender. In this case, the same principle that guided the early forms of hunger strike produces a similar impact on the

-ct that is motivated by socio-political objective. One of the guiding principles highlighted by John A. Costello is the moral burden that is placed on the transgressor through the act of fasting. It states that ‘He who disregards the faster shall not be dealt with by God nor man … he forfeits his legal rights to anything according to the decision of the Brehon.”

The controversy of hanger strikes has been well documented in primary sources, and their significance is analyzed in publications of different scholars. One of the most notable case studies is that of Mahatma Gandhi, who, according to Erik Erikson, revived the use of hunger strikes as a means of non-confrontational political activism for driving social changes in the present-day world. An article in the New York Times reported on September 13, 1932, that Mahatma Gandhi threatened to go on a hunger strike in protests of a new Indian constitution’s British support. This new constitution granted the “untouchables” – India’s lowest classes – a separate political representation. Instead, he advocated for this social class’s emancipation despite belonging to the more powerful Vaisya, or merchant caste. Gandhi believed that the separation of Indians into different social classes was unfair and would divide the country’s people. Therefore, he sought a non-confrontational approach that would be very effective and minimize damage .

A publication by Allen Merriam explored the significance of hunger strike and how it assisted him in rallying support for constitutional change. The author highlighted that Gandhi’s political influence made him a very influential figure whose death could have destabilized the British rule in the country. He acts as a political martyr who was willing to sacrifice his life for the will of a widespread belief. The significance of the hunger strike and the level of social influence it produces reflects Mitra’s publication. This tradition is well-rooted into the religious practice of Indians and evokes deep emotional feelings from those who witness the suffering of the victim. Therefore, Gandhi gained much support from the public because of his emotional impact on India’s people, and losing him was a more significant risk for the British government.

Another infamous controversy and perhaps one of the most impactful incidents of the hunger strike is that of Bobby Sands, a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). At the height of the conflict between the IRA and the British government, Bobby Sands began on March 1, 1981 lasting 66 days until his death on May 5, 1981. In his biography that recounts his times in prison and his experience during the Hunger strike, he recognizes how this approach has proven effective in freeing some of the IRA members. Another article by Chris Yuill explores the social impact that Bobby Sands’ hunger strike an ultimate death yielded, linking it to the old Celtic traditions. Similar to India’s political situation during the early 20th century, the IRA conflict’s situation witnessed a turning point following the death of Bobby Sands was perceived as a sacrifice in the quest for justice. This concept actualized the idea of political martyrdom, which is a principle of the Brehon Laws.

In conclusion, the hunger strike has become a powerful political tool for compelling social justice by pressuring the government through a moral burden. This practice’s origin can be traced back to the religio-political practice of the Celtic and Indian societies, where one would starve at the doorstep of an oppressor in demand for justice. This act puts pressure on the offender to administer justice and rectify the wrongs that may have been committed. The case study of Gandhi and Bobby Sands reflects the social impact that hunger strikes can have in driving changes. Both individuals were instrumental in influencing legislative change for what they perceived to be of importance.