The Indian Navy recently took part in a significant event to mark the 130th Anniversary of the beginning of the fight against apartheid, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in Pietermaritzburg Railway Station near Durban, South Africa. This momentous occasion also marked the 30-year re-establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa, further strengthening the bond between both nations.
The Start of the Satyagraha Movement
The Satyagraha Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, has its roots in South Africa, dating back to 7th June, 1893. The movement began following an incident of racial discrimination that Gandhi personally experienced. Despite having a valid ticket, Gandhi was compelled to leave the first-class compartment of a train in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, as a European passenger insisted that non-whites were not allowed there. This incident was instrumental in sparking Gandhi’s battle against racial oppression and laid the foundation for his philosophy of Satyagraha, or nonviolent resistance.
Gandhiji’s Contributions in South Africa
Mahatma Gandhi made invaluable contributions in South Africa, primarily through legal and social activism, Satyagraha and passive resistance, establishment of communal living, mobilization of the Indian community, and legal reforms.
Gandhi initially arrived in South Africa in 1893 to handle a legal case but soon found himself drawn to the cause of fighting for the rights of Indians in the country. He played a significant role in challenging discrimination and racism while representing Indians and addressing their grievances through his law practice.
Launch of Satyagraha and Passive Resistance
Gandhi launched his first Satyagraha campaign in Johannesburg in 1906 in response to an ordinance imposing restrictions on Asians. Through mass meetings and civil disobedience, he actively challenged these discriminatory laws, enduring multiple imprisonments for his nonviolent protests.
Gandhi’s Communal Living Initiatives
Gandhi established the Phoenix Settlement in Durban in 1904 and the Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg in 1910 to foster self-reliance, communal harmony, and practical skills training among his followers.
Mobilizing the Indian Community
Gandhi’s activism significantly inspired the Indian community to rise against discriminatory laws. His nonviolent methods influenced the South African Native National Congress, formed in 1912, shaping the trajectory of the South African independence movement.
Legal Reforms and Recognition of Indian Rights
Through negotiations and activism, Gandhi influenced the South African government to pass the Indian Relief Act in 1914. The act abolished several discriminatory laws and recognized the rights of Indians in South Africa – a significant step that set a precedent for nonviolent resistance against oppression.
Last Modified: February 20, 2024