Gandhi journey to South Africa

It was a long journey from India to South Africa. Gandhi reached the port of Natal towards the end of May 1893. The first thing he noticed was that the Indians there were. Treated with little respect. Within a week of his arrival in Durban, he visited the court with Abdulla Seth of Dada Abdulla & co.

No sooner had he sat down than the magistrate pointed his plum finger at him.

“You must remove your turban,” he said sternly.

Gandhi was surprised. He looked around and saw several Muslims and Parsees wearing turbans. He could not understand why he was singled out to be rebuked.

“Sir,” he replied, “I see no reason why I should remove my turban. I refuse to do so.”

“Will you remove it or not?” the magistrate roared.

At this Gandhi left the court.

Abdulla ran after him into the corridor and caught his arm.
“You don’t understand, “he said,” I will explain why these white –skinned people behave like this.”

Abdulla continued. “They consider Indians inferior and address them as ‘coolie’ or ‘sami’ Parsees and Muslims are permitted to wear turbans as their dress is thought to be of religious significance.”

Gandhi’s dark eyes flashed with anger.

“The magistrate insulted me, “he said.” Any such rule is an insult to a free man. I shall write at once to the Durban press to protest against such insulting rules.”

And Gandhi did write. The letter was published and it received unexpected publicity. However, some papers described Gandhi as an ‘unwelcome visitor’.