Gandhi's train journey

After a week in Durban, he left for Pretoria to attend to the case for which he had been engaged. With a first-class ticket he boarded the train. At the next stop an Englishman got into his compartment.

He looked at Gandhi with contempt, called the conductor, and said, “Take this coolie out and put him in the place where he belongs. I will not travel with a colored man.”

“Yes, sir,” said the conductor.

He then turned to Gandhi.” Hey, Sami,” he said, “come along with me to the next compartment.”

“No, I will not,” said Gandhi calmly. “I have bought a first-class ticket and I have every right to be here.”

A constable was called in who pushed Gandhi out of the train, bag and baggage. The train steamed away leaving him on the platform. Gandhi spent the night shivering in the dark waiting room.

Gandhi took this experience to heart and resolved that day that whatever the cost might be, he would fight all such injustices. He sent a note of protest to the General Manager of the railways but the official justified the conduct of his men.

Further trouble was in store for Gandhi on his journey to Pretoria. He had to travel by stage –coach from Charles –town to Johannesburg. Though he had a first –class ticket, the conductor would not allow him to sit inside the coach.

“You barrister coolie!” he sneered, “you can’t sit inside with the white passengers. Ticket or no ticket, sit outside on the coach –box. That is my usual place, but I will give it to you and take your seat inside.”

Gandhi was enraged at this insult. With a heavy heart he climbed up to the seat behind the driver. He was in no mood for a fight just then.

When the stage –coach stopped to change horses, the conductor came up to Gandhi again.

“Hey, Sami, you sit below. I want to smoke up here, “he said. And he spread a dirty sack on the step below for Gandhi to sit on.

Gandhi flared up at this.” I had a first –class ticket which entitled me to sit inside,” he said, “and you made me sit here, now you want me to sit at your feet! No, I will not do so.”

“You will have to,” yelled the conductor. He began to punch Gandhi and tried to drag him down. Gandhi resisted He held on to the rail, but another blow nearly knocked him down.

Some of the passengers in the coach began to shout.

“Stop that! Leave him alone, conductor, “they cried.”

“He is in the right. Let him come a sit here with us.”

The conductor was forced to leave him alone.

Gandhi reached Johannesburg the next night, shaken by the incidents on the way. He had the address of a Muslim merchant’s house there, but as it was rather late at night he took a cab to the Grand National Hotel.

The hotel manager took a good look at Gandhi and said, “I am sorry, there is no room vacant tonight.”

Gandhi knows that he was being denied a room only because of his dark skin. Now there was no alternative but to go to the merchant’s house, so he went there to spend the night.

The next day he bought a first-class ticked and continued his journey by train to Pretoria.

 The only other passenger in the compartment was a well dressed Englishman. As Gandhi entered, the Englishman looked up from his newspaper, nodded to the newcomer, and continued reading. A little later, the conductor came in. Gandhi quickly showed him his ticket.

“Your ticket does not matter, Sami,” growled the conductor. “Go to the third class at once.”

Before Gandhi could reply, the Englishman flung down his paper and glared at the conductor.

“What do you mean by harassing this gentleman?” he said vehemently. “His ticket gives him a right to be here.

Turning to Gandhi he said, “Make yourself comfortable just where you are.”

Thanking him warmly, Gandhi settled down with a book.