Gandhi And Jainism

Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 67

Sheth. Both were Indian, friends, well established and from the same place in India. His deep study of the case indicated that Abdulla will win as Truth was on his side and Tyabji will incur a huge loss from defeat. So he tried successfully to bring both for arbitration to close the case and have Tyabji pay the fines in friendly instalments over a long period. He was overjoyed and said that the true job of a lawyer was to unite fighting parties riven asunder. This became a large part of his legal practice of twenty years to bring the fighting parties together.
Simultaneously he was also deeply involved in firming up his religious leanings. His stay involved frequent meetings with more Christians referred by Mr Baker on social and religious matters. They tried hard to convert him to Christianity. They took him to several religious meetings where he was given welcome, several books glorifying Christianity and its doctrine. He also contacted several religious leaders in India. However his correspondence with his earlier acquaintance Raychandbhai (Appendix II) who gave responses to a series of 27 questions deeply pacified him with the following advice:
"...to be patient and to study Hinduism more deeply....On a dispassionate view of the question I am convinced that no other religion has the subtle and profound thought of Hinduism, its vision of soul, or its charity" 10
His correspondence and personal contact with Raychandbhai continued till his untimely death in 1901.
He planned to return to India as his contract was complete. In Natal, while attending the farewell party hosted by Abdulla Sheth, he learned about the new Franchise Bill to be presented before the Natal Legislature that would deprive Indians of their rights to elect assembly members. Based on his own experience of discrimination and strong desire of Abdulla Sheth and others,
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