Gandhi came back to India in 1901. He toured the country and met some leaders. Then, he started practice in Bombay. Now being a big name his practice took off fast but he again received urgent call from South Africa. Dark clouds were again hovering over Indians there. The racial hatred was on the increase again. The whites didn’t want Gandhi back again.
He again reached South Africa in 1902. This time the racial tyranny was on rampage in Transwal province. Gandhi decided to camp in that province.
He got permission to practice in Transwal Supreme Court. He sent for his family to live with him.
The white officials of Transwal didn’t like the arrival of Gandhi. Then, plague broke out. Gandhi at once got down to organise relief works. Two Englishmen joined his efforts. They were Henry Pollock and Joseph Dock. These two Egnlishmen became life long friends of Gandhi.
To widen his social services Gandhi founded ‘Phoenix’ organisation. To give practical shape to Ruskin’s ‘Sarvodaya Principles’ he bought land in Natal and set up his first Ashram from where ‘The Indian Opinion’ began to be published. The inmates of this ashram had to do all chores themselves which included regular grinding exercise on stone mills (chukki).
He more often than not visited Natal, Durban Johansberg etc. to raise his voice against the white tyranny and injustice. He was meeting violence with non-violence and often winning.
