In the Orange Free State, Indians
had been deprived of all their rights by a law enacted in 1888. They could stay
there only if they did menial work. The traders there were sent away with
nominal compensation.
Under a law passed in 1886, the
Indians who wanted to live in the Transvaal were forced to pay an annual
poll-tax of ₤3 per head. They were not allowed to possess land except in
locations set apart for them. They had no franchise. If they wanted to go out
of their houses after 9 p.m., they had to carry a permit with them. They were
not allowed to use certain highways at all.
Gandhi felt humiliated at the way
Indians were treated there. He thought it was his duty to defend their rights
and remove their grievances.
He often went out for an evening
walk with an English friend. Coates and he rarely reached home before 10 p.m.
He had obtained a letter from the State Attorney allowing him to be out of
doors at any time without police interference.