Gandhis Teachers Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta

SR No.: 006754
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satish Sharma
Publisher: Gujarat Vidyapith Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 260
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Rajchandra
File Size: 11 MB

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Gandhi's Teachers : Rajchandra Råvjibhai Mehta
joined Gandhi as co-workers in his Satyagraha struggles in South Africa and India.
The legal case for which Gandhi had come to South Africa eventually got settled and it was time for him to go back. Gandhi returned to Durban to make necessary preparations for his departure to India. Abdulla Sheth arranged a farewell party for him and there Gandhi glanced at a newspaper and noticed an item entitled "Indian Franchise." This item was about a bill before the legislature which intended to bar the Indians from electing their representatives to the Natal Legislative Assembly. Gandhi was shocked and he made others aware of the news and its implications. The gathering was shocked too and they decided to fight the bill. Then and there the farewell party turned into a working group meeting. This laid the basis for a much longer stay for Gandhi in South Africa than he had originally intended. An organization entitled "Natal Indian Congress" was formed and a petition was written and submitted. Local newspapers and some overseas newspapers (e.g., The Times of India and The London Times) wrote favorably in favor of the Indians and Gandhi wrote two pamphlets (An Appeal to Every Briton in South Africa and The Indian Franchise - An Appeal) for distribution. Gandhi traveled to India to generate outside cooperation for his Satyagraha struggle in South Africa. He wrote another pamphlet (Green Pamphlet) for circulation, met with prominent Indian leaders, and sought meetings with the editors of important newspapers. Some of these newspapers published commentaries and articles on the situation of Indians in South Africa. Gandhi additionally held public meetings in major cities of India to make the public aware of the conditions of Indians in South Africa. Having done all this, he returned to South Africa in December 1896 and also brought his wife and children with him this time.
Upon reachin Durban, Gandhi was accused of condemning Natal Whites while on tour in India and bringing two shiploads of Indians with the specific purpose of swamping Natal with Indians. His ship was quarantined and