M. K. Gandhi: Indian Patriot in South Africa/Chapter 11
CHAPTER XI
THE AWAKENING OF NATAL
At the close of 1893, Mr. Gandhi was again in Durban, intending to leave speedily for India, but, at a social gathering given by his clients, he saw the "Natal Mercury," and discovered that the Government was about to introduce a Bill to dis-franchise Indians. He also saw, from various comments in the paper, that this was to be the precursor of other disabling Bills. He brought this at once to the notice of his compatriots, and urged them to take concerted action, pointing out that, if protests were not at once made and the effort opposed, nothing could prevent their ultimate extinction. The Indians were startled, but said they knew nothing about it. Mr. Gandhi offered to draw up a petition against the Bill, if they would, on their part, obtain signatures. They agreed, and that evening a beginning was made. It was the commencement of that long battle with race-prejudice and injustice, which is still unfinished, and to which Mr. Gandhi has devoted his life.
The sudden awakening of the Indians was so novel, that it aroused keen interest in Natal. The petition which was largely signed, the telegrams to Government requesting a delay of proceedings, the deputation to Members of Parliament in Pietermaritzburg, all marked a new self-consciousness in the hitherto apathetic Indian community, which even the Government could not note without concern. It failed to defeat the Bill, but taught the Indians that they were not ciphers, and it taught the Europeans that a new force had been born into Colonial life. The Bill passed, Sir John Robinson, who was then Prime Minister, making several useful admissions, while the petition was sympathetically reviewed by the Natal Press. This was much. To the leader himself it was a glorious beginning, the prophecy of a harvest of rich fruits. With the sympathies of a cultured Indian, coupled with the instinct of an exceptional mind, Mr. Gandhi held that it needed but an awakening of such a nature to uplift his people from the servile condition to which they appeared to have sunk. The system of indentured labour, which imported Indians to work in the sugar fields, meant a system of servitude little better than slavery. Even the free Indians felt its degrading effects. Save in some outstanding cases, there were no high principles, no great ambitions. no consciousness of manhood, among them with which to oppose the ever-encroaching oppression of Colonial laws. They were content to live, and to live as slaves. It was this apathy which appalled him. He saw of what they were capable, and realised to what they were drifting, and determined to resist with all his might the elements, both within his community and without, which were making for degradation. It was like a new adventure in the valley of St. John, with the old curse on the lovely maiden:—
- "And this weird shall overtake thee,
- Sleep until a Knight shall wake thee."
The awakening had at length come; and through the whole Indian community a new thrill of self-consciousness had answered his touch. It was his endeavour now to foster and encourage this national uplift.
Mr. Gandhi advised that his people should send a widely signed petition to the Imperial Colonial Secretary. This was done; ten thousand signatures were very quickly secured, and forwarded to Lord Ripon. The Bill failed to receive the Royal sanction and was withdrawn. It was withdrawn, however, in favour of another Bill shortly afterwards introduced, which reached the same goal by a different route. The Indians of Natal were dis-franchised.
Mr. Gandhi meanwhile proposed the formation of a permanent organisation to watch the interests of the Indians, and prevent a surprise in future. His friends replied that the idea was excellent, but impracticable unless he consented to remain. He said it was impossible, as he would not accept pecuniary assistance for such work, and if he settled in South Africa, he could see no way of supporting himself and maintaining fitly his position as a barrister. The Indians then offered to guarantee him a practice. It seemed to them, now that they were awakened to the seriousness of their condition, that it was essential that they should have someone to act for them, who was qualified to interpret the thoughts of the two nations, and give an acceptable form to their own desires. So they pressed their claim. Feeling the force of their arguments, Mr. Gandhi, although he would gladly have closed his eyes to them and returned to India, at last consented to remain. So South Africa became the land of his adoption, and under his hand the Natal Indian Congress and the Natal Indian Educational Association were formed.
It was difficult, however, for him to obtain admission to the Supreme Court. The application was strenuously opposed by the Natal Law Society on the specific ground of colour. "It was never contemplated," so they argued, "that coloured barristers should be placed on the roll." To the credit of Natal, the Supreme Court laughed at this objection, and Mr. Gandhi was admitted. Then followed two years of hard work, practising, organising, educating, with all the force and energy of his enthusiastic nature, and in 1896 he visited India once more, with the object of bringing back his wife and children.