Definition
dharnas
noun
- plural of dharna; a form of nonviolent protest in South Asia in which a person or group sits in front of a building or official's residence and refuses to leave until demands are met
Usage: chiefly Indian English; often used in political and social activism contexts
Examples
- The activists organized dharnas outside the government office to demand policy changes.
- Dharnas have been a powerful tool for social movements in India for decades.
- The workers staged dharnas in front of the factory gates until management agreed to negotiate.
- During the protest, multiple dharnas were held simultaneously across the city.
- The dharna tradition reflects principles of nonviolent resistance inspired by Gandhi.