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.