Gandhi And Jainism

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

Page 72

hydropathy, he treated him to be the healthiest child in the family.
As always, he was not deemed to settle down as he got a call from South Africa to return as Mr. Chamberlain was meeting Indians. So he left for South Africa taking along four more youth and Maganlal Gandhi and leaving wife and children behind in the bungalow in Santa Cruz he hired earlier as he felt he would return in 4 to 6 months.
On arrival in Durban, he learnt of worse conditions for Indians as per the Law #3 of 1885 in Transvaal and Orange country that required them to obtain permits to enter. His meeting with Mr. Chamberlain in Durban was disappointing and brought home the rule that might is right or the law of sword. He decided to go to Transvaal to present the case again to Mr. Chamberlain for Indians there. The process of getting permits to visit and stay in Transvaal taught him that Indian officers working in Asiatic department were no different than English officers. Even Mr. Chamberlain did not want to meet him to represent the petition drafted by him. Strengthened by such insults, he decided to shift his office from Durban to Transvaal and carry the fight against oppression of Indians. To his dismay, he found the Asiatic department in Johannesburg (Transvaal), manned by Indians primarily, was a bigger problem than the Law itself. This also made Gandhi realize that he could no longer contemplate an early return to India.
In the meantime, black plague spread in Transvaal affecting badly the Coolies colony inhabited thickly by indentured and Independent labours from India. He volunteered to help the victims with active support of municipality and got them moved to a separate camp where the Indians gained health.
Gandhi & Jainism Pg.49