For his role in the Indian independence movement, he was imprisoned thrice by the British colonial government, for two short spells during 1938-1939 and 1941 and later for three years from 1942 to 1945.

[2] In February 1937, the State Government of Saurashtra issued an order for the banishment of 14 workers who were members of the executive committee.

[5] During the late thirties, he organized and spearheaded the struggle of the people of the former Kathiawar States for responsible government against the erstwhile princely rulers.

Some of the reasons behind the populist struggle were the widespread public frustration against the princely ruler of Rajkot state's oppressive taxation regimes, restrictions on civil liberties such as freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, lack of access to education and other welfare services.

While princely rulers engaged in a policy of high taxation, imposing a heavy economic burden on the populace, they did not spend sufficient tax revenues in the service of the public, leaving education and social services underdeveloped and civil rights restricted.

Most of the state revenue that was earned by imposing heavy taxes on its citizens, was spent on the upkeep of the luxurious lifestyles led by the princely ruler.

[8] The princely rulers felt free to ignore the interests of the people and use state revenues to fund their luxurious lifestyles because the British provided immunity from domestic and external aggression.

In return, the British government expected the states to support them in their imperialistic policies, thereby acting against the development of nationalist sentiments.

[9] Many revolutionary nationalists fleeing British authority came to the princely states in the first and second decades of the 20th century and initiated political activities there.

Those who protested this injustice across India on ethical and moral grounds were required by the Colonial Administration to affirm their status as conscientious objectors by reading a simple statement, which would then lead to their summary arrest.

In January 1940, Dhebar joined the Individual Satyagraha and read such a statement of conscientious objection to India's involvement in the war, which led to his arrest.

During that period, however, he was arrested on 9 August 1942 on his return by train to Rajkot from Bombay, where he had gone to participate in the All India Congress Committee meeting.

Due to its success, the boycott method started being used by other smaller states, prompting intervention by the Indian government.

[10] During his tenure as the Chief Minister of Saurashtra State, Dhebar was held in high regard by his political colleagues and his constituents.

[11] After giving up his position as the Chief Minister of Saurashtra State and his membership of legislature, with Nehru's support, Dhebar was elected President of Indian National Congress for a four-year term from January 1955 to February 1959.

From his work in the Planning Committee Dhebar realized India's challenges would not be effectively addressed unless people themselves took the lead in reorienting their attitudes about others and problems with other individuals.

[16] At the end of his term, Dhebar tried convincing Jaya Prakash Narayan, J.B. Kripalani, Ashok Mehta, and other friends to take up the responsibility of creating an opposition party to the INC.

[7] Dhebar believed that the necessary means to resolving Hindu-Muslim tensions was to stop a few irresponsible leaders in both the Hindu and Muslim communities at proper times.

From giving up his legal career to joining politics to participating in multiple Satyagrahas, these major decisions on Dhebar's life had been heavily influenced by Gandhi.

He did not want large scale producers to think of setting up the industries in the spheres where the traditional sector was doing its bit, simply out of motives of profit.