Gandhi's return to South Africa

The Europeans in South Africa heard about Gandhi’s return. They had also heard about his propaganda in India against the Natal whites. Meetings were held to discuss how to deal with him when he came back.

In the meantime, there were rumors that Gandhi was coming back with two shiploads of Indians to settle down there. It was true that some Indians were going to Natal and that they were in two ships, but he had nothing to do with them.

Gandhi’s ship cast anchor off Durban on December 18. The passengers were not allowed to land before a thorough medical examination had been conducted, for they had arrived from Bombay where there was plague. The ship was held in Quarantine for five days.

The whites in Durban had been agitating for the repatriation of Gandhi and other Indians, and this agitation further delayed the landing. Gandhi was accused of having incited anti-European sentiments in India. At last, after a delay of 23 days, the ship was permitted to enter the harbor.

However, a message reached Gandhi advising him not to land with the others but to wait until evening as there was an angry mob of whites at the dock.

Kasturbai and the children were sent to the house of Gandhi’s Parse friend. Rustomji. Later, accompanied by Mr. Laughton, the legal adviser of Dada Abdulla & co. Gandhi went ashore.

The scene looked peaceful, but some youths recognized him and shouted, “Look, there goes Gandhi!”

Soon there was a rush and much shouting. As Gandhi and his friends proceeded, the crowd began to swell until it was impossible to go any further.

All of Sudden, Laughton was pushed aside and the mob set upon Gandhi. They pelted him with stones, sticks, bricks and rotten eggs. Someone snatched away his turban; others kicked him until the frail figure collapsed. He clung to the railing of a house. The fury of the whites was unabated and they continued to beat him and kick him.

 “Stop, you cowards!” cried a feminine voice. “Stop attacking him!”

It was the wife of the Superintendent of Police. She came up and opened her parasol and held it between Gandhi and the crowd. This checked the mob. Soon the police arrived and the crowd was dispersed.

Gandhi was offered shelter in the police station, but he declined the offer.

“They are sure to Quieten down when they realize their mistake, “he said.

Escorted by the police, he reached Rustomji’s house where a doctor attended to his injuries.

Later in the evening the whites surrounded the house. “We must have Gandhi,” angry voices demanded. The mob was getting more and more threatening,” give us Gandhi or we will burn down the house, “they shouted.

Gandhi knew that they might carry out their threat. To save his friend’s house, he slipped out in disguise, eluding the crowd.

Two days later, a message came from London. Joseph Chamberlain, the then Secretary of State for the Colonies, asked the Natal government to prosecute every man guilty of attacking Gandhi. The Natal Government expressed their regret to Gandhi for the incident and assured him that the assailants would be punished. When Gandhi was called upon to identify the offenders, however, he would not do so.

“I do not want to prosecute anyone,” he told the natal Government.” I do not hold the assailants to blame. They were misled by false reports about me and I am sure when the truth becomes known, they will be sorry for their conduct.”