The concept of satyagraha and its practice in socio-political front constitute the essence of Gandhi’s philosophy. Perhaps it is his unique contribution as it opens a new political culture of social activism. It is a new technique of opposing or resisting injustice. Whatever degrades human relationship or anything that is evil, unjust or untrue in social life need to be  opposed but the method of resistance should be non-violent with adherence to truth and justice. This way of resisting injustice with a view to altering unjust social relationship without harming or ill-will towards anybody is called satyagraha. It is a technique of direct action against injustice with firm commitment to truth.

Satyagraha is a compound Sanskrit word consisting of two words “staya” plus “graha” meaning holding fast (graha) onto truth (satya). Thus literally saryagraha means clinging to truth or insistence of truth. Since truth in a sense connotes justice satyagraha also means firm commitment to justice.