Page 53 - GANDHI A Biography for Children and Beginners
P. 53
GANDHI – A Biography for children and beginners
thinking anything 'unworthy'." Gokhale expressed the hope that Gandhi would
now be able to return to India since the struggle in South Africa was nearly
over.
But soon, it was seen that Gokhale had been misled by the South African
Leaders. General Smuts regretted that the proposal to abolish the 3 pounds tax
and withdraw the Black Act had to be given up because of opposition from the
whites.
A new challenge had been flung at the Indian community. Gandhi decided to
respond with swift and decisive moves. He moved his family to Phoenix, and
decided to clear the Tolstoy farm and induct all inmates into the battle. Upto
now, there were two issues that had rallied the community, namely the
withdrawal of the Back Act or ban on Asian immigration, and the abolition of
the 3 pounds tax.
A third was now added by a judgement delivered by Judge Searle. With one
verdict the Judge declared all marriages solemnized by rites outside the
Christian Church invalid. By this stroke, all marriages of Hindus, Muslims, Parsis
and Sikhs became invalid in the eyes of law, thus undermining the legal status
of families, wives and children. This infuriated women and men alike. Women
became as keen to fight the government as men. Gandhi realized that this one
act of the government had awakened women and made soldiers and militants of
them. He wanted to give women equal opportunity to take part in the struggle.
He knew they were capable of great heroism and powers of endurance. These
were qualities that the Satyagrahi needed. So he forged a plan of action.
But to implement that he had first to persuade his own wife Kasturba to join
the struggle, offer Satyagraha and court imprisonment and prosecution. This
was done without difficulty. Kasturba was ready to show Gandhi that she too
was willing to suffer imprisonment or work for the sake of justice.
Gandhi formulated new plans. He would send women Satyagrahis including
Kasturba across the borders of the two states. If arrested, they would gd to
prison. If left free, they would go to the coal mines at New Castle, where
www.mkgandhi.org Page 52
