The Satyagrahi (The Telugu Nationalist Newspaper)

At the beginning of the 20th century, India saw the emergence of several regional newspapers. One of these was "Satyagrahi", a Telugu nationalist publication started in the 1920s by Atmakuri Govindacharyulu in the Andhra Pradesh district of Eluru. In addition to being crucial in launching fearless crusades to eradicate the pervasive social evils of the time, it also advocated the cause of freedom. In 1925, Satyagrahi began its campaign for 'Poorna Swaraj' or total independence for the country. It also played a role in increasing public support for Poorna Swaraj. Furthermore, the paper argued forcefully for a boycott of the Simon Commission in 1928. Even during the 1930 Civil Disobedience Movement, the paper encouraged people to boycott foreign cloth in favour of homespun khadi. Such appeals, as well as the publication of speeches by leaders on swadeshi, helped to maintain public support for swadeshi. Aside from that, the paper promoted several worthy causes, all closely related to the freedom struggle. It backed national education, chastised administrative flaws, pushed for administrative reforms, and denounced the country's imperialist economic exploitation. All of this contributed to the formation of people's national consciousness and their willing participation in the National Movement. Consequently, the Colonial Government began to see this as a threat to its survival, and was forced to resort to the suppression of ideas, and the curtailment of the freedom of the press.