In August 1906 an ordinance- Black
Act – was issued by the Transvaal Government requiring all Indians – men, women
and children –to register themselves and obtain a personal certificate bearing
name and thumb impression. This card was to be carried by all individuals at
all times and had to be shown on demand. Anyone failing to produce the
certificate was liable to be fined, imprisoned, or deported. The police even
had orders to enter private houses and check certificates.
“This is too much to bear,” Gandhi
told his co-workers. “If we meekly submit, it will spell absolute ruin for us
in South Africa. We must take action immediately if we are to live here.”
The Indians decided not to submit
to this humiliating and insulting measure. They must fight it. But, how?
Gandhi saw here the need for
passive resistance or Satyagraha. He explained to the people his concept of
Satyagraha. First, he said, they must be prepared to observe absolute
non-violence. The authorities would take all measures to put down the agitation.
They might use violence, arrest people and send them to jail, but all this must
be faced without resistance.