Gandhiji went to South Africa as a lawyer but he returned as Mahatma

In 1893, at the age of 24, a young, hot blooded Barrister Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi set off for South Africa. At that time he had no knowledge of politics, Sociology and freedom struggle. He was only equipped with a Bar law degree from London, and few months (6) of experience as Barrister in Bombay High Court (Mumbai now).

He had been departed to South Africa, for a year consignment for a $40,000 settlement case. His arrival at Durban was smooth and he enjoyed a week at Durban. Then he left for Pretoria. He had a first class ticket in the train, but he was unaware of the apartheid rules in South Africa. When ticket collector asked Gandhi to leave the compartment reserved for whites he refused to do so, and was eventually thrown out of the train. This incident marks the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, who remains apostle of Truth, justice and Non-violence.

He then started getting acquainted himself with the problems faced by Indians in South Africa. He was deeply saddened by the ‘coolie’ approach of Britishers and Dutch against Indian. Since, the aborigine blacks and Indians were treated in similar manner, Gandhi started viewing them as Brothers and one family.

In the meantime the case was going on and there seemed to be no solution. Then Gandhi tried to befriend them and bring both the parties together, he succeeded. There was another instance of Mahatma, showing Non-violence and peace as only the solution. In this context he says ”My joy was boundless. I had learnt the true practice of law. I had learnt to find out the better side of human nature and to enter men’s hearts”. On 22nd May 1894, Gandhi along with Shekh Abdulla and friends established the Natal Indian Congress. This is the formal start of his struggle in South-Africa.

After a short trip to India, and arousing the Indians of India about the condition of Indians in South-Africa, he gave up material life and selected a life of fakir and saint. Soon the Boer was started and he felt it was his duty as a citizen of British Empire to fight for it and established and leaded the Indian Ambulance Corps.

Again after a brief visit of India, he returned South-Africa. Now he indulged in reading philosophical books like Gita, and Unto. This last by Ruskin Bond. He was greatly inspired by these books.

Before embarking Satyagraha for masses, he himself had undergone personal (or domestic) satyagraha. He gave up salt and pulses for the sake of Kasturba and morally supported her.

As he walked, sometimes barefoot and sometimes with chappal, people flocked in from far off areas to watch him and his people walk for the justice, and freedom. People spread flowers, sprinkeled water to welcome him. The farther he went, the harder it struck to Britishers.

Everyone was anxious to know what really Gandhi had planned about the campaign. On the shores of Dandi the world press established a media village and everyone waiting for him to arrive. The pennacle day came, on April 5th, 1930 Gandhi after praying all the night, went to the sea, dipped into the water and picked up some salt from the shore. It was only a pinch but the law was broken and the Great Empire defied.

As remarked by Winston Churchill, this ‘Little naked fakir’ from India has single handedly Non-violently defied the great Empire and brought it a shame which was uncomparable and irreparable.

The campaign was not over yet but now, it has taken full fledge. Every nearby villager flocked in to make salt. Every Indian living nearby to coastal area, went and made the salt. At Dandi, they set up a stall and salt was sold to common public. Now enough was done so Britishers could not remain unnoticed, they started arresting everyone except Gandhi. All leasers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Motilal Nehru, Rajaji, Rajen Babu, Devadas Gandhi and thousands of common citizen. Finally, on May 5th mid night, Gandhi was arrested and locked in Jail. Though campaign did not end, Sarojini Naidu leaded few hundred people to raid Dharasana salt works. Britishers took heavy not of it by lathi-charge, but none raised their hand, all surrendered to beatings, the world was amused, the Gandhi has shown the world the power of Non-violence. Salt Satyagraha was a full success.

There is no better example in the world history about Non-violent direct action than Salt-Satyagraha campaign. It was perfect Non-violence since non raised there hands again police baton, and it was a direct action because it struck the Britishers where it mattered the most at their hearts. He had warned about it, and finally showed them by doing it, the Britishers could not do anything about, could not help themselves but sit and watch the beauty and power of Non-violence in a direct action. The struggle against a tyranny at its best. Gandhi will always remain apostle of ‘Non-violence and Truth’.

As always Gandhi has followed two of his principle. He has announced his plan much before the execution. Thus giving time for the Britishers to think about it and also for the whole India to realize its important. Other he has clearly stated that full campaign would be carried out in a perfect ‘Non-Violent way’.

The day approached, Viceroy decided not to interfere or intervene in the matter and not to arrest Gandhi. It was a tactful decision by Britisher. By not intervening they did not want to make the matter popular and by not arresting Gandhi they ensured ‘peace’. On the morning of the day Gandhi along with his 78 members of ashram after the prayer, has begun the long journey from Sabarmati, Ahmedabad to Dandi. Thus on March 12th, 1930 India saw one of its greatest leader in his greatest campaign. The whole world was taken by the campaign and was exclusively and intensively covered by world press and watched by people all around.

He moved from a village to village, resting a while and utilized this rest period to spread the teachings of his Constructive program, Truth, Non-violenc, self-depency and awareness.