Mahatma Gandhi found salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.

On 31st Jan. 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands.

Some of these were of general interest; others were specific demands of different classes, from industrialist to peasants.

The idea was to make the demands wide-ranging, so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign.