Then, General Botha took over the reigns of the South African government. He was sworn racialist and hated Asians. Smutts was his Colonies Minister. He considered Asians as cancers and driving them of South Africa was his mission.
Botha government passed law which Asian called ‘black law’. The people called to Gandhi for help. Gandhi rushed to the capital Pretoria. Gandhi announced that they will protest against the black law through peaceful non-violent Satyagraha.
‘Indian Opinion’ raised its voice against the law. Gandhi stopped his legal practice to totally dedicate his life to social services and launched his Sayagraha.
He was ordered to leave Transwal which he turned down. Gandhi was arrested on 10th January 1808 and sent to jail for two months. It was his first jail experience. In prison he was made to do degrading menial work to humiliate him.
20 days later, he was released to allow him to hold talks with Smutt. A compromise was worked out. But the white regime went tack on its promises.
On the call of Gandhi Asians again started a Satyagraha movement. Gandhi declared “We will not yield to the black law of the racial regime whatever the consequences.”
Mohandas Gandhi was again arrested and imprisoned. This time he was meted out even worse treatment. He was shackled and put up with murderers.
Gandhi’s friend Henry Pollock arrived in India from South Africa and told the countrymen about his Satyagraha. He also informed Indian leaders the ill treatment of Gandhi in jail. It resulted in petitions and applications to British government in London sent from India in protest.
On 10th June 1908, Gandhi was released from jail. He found his wife ill but his loving care brought her back to life very soon.
Gandhi had written a book ‘Swaraj’ in Gujarati. When it was printed in India the people knew about the political and social theories of Gandhi. Its popularity worried the British and all the printed copies were confiscated in March, 1910. When Gandhi learnt about it he got the English translation of ‘Swaraj’ printed.
The book was inspired by Tolstoy. Gandhi had written to Tolstoy—‘I read your books with great interest. The main subject of the book Satyagraha is very significant for the whole mankind, not only for India.’
Then, Gopal Krishan Gokhale arrived in South Africa. He helped Gandhi reach at an agreement on rights for Asians with Botha government. Gokhale thought that Gandhi’s work in South Africa was over and he must return to India to join the Independence struggle.
But as soon as Gokhale departed the white regime went back on its promise.
Gandhi was not a quitter. He declared the launch of fresh Satyagraha. This time the movement was very fierce. Even women joined the Satyagraha besides the labourers.
As the white regime tried to suppress it the Satyagraha went on becoming fiercer. It was something that while regime had not anticipated.
The stung government sent Gandhi again to jail on 9th November, 1913. But Satyagraha went on. At last the regime gave in.
On 21st November, 1913 an agreement was singed by Gandhi and Smutts. The Botha regime had to withdraw the black law.
It was a big victory for non-violent Satyagraha.
Years later the transformed racialist General Smutts wrote—‘I was fortunate to be the opponent of the man for whom I had great respect even in those days of confrontation.’
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