why did Gandhiji leave the court
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It was a long journey from India to South Africa. Gandhi reached the port of Natal towards the end of May, 1893. The first thing he noticed was that the Indians there were treated with little respect. Within a week of his arrival in Durban, he visited the court with Abdulla Seth of Dada, Abdulla &Co.
No sooner had sat down than the magistrate pointed his plump finger at him.
'You must remove your turban,' he said sternly.
Gandhi was surprised. He looked round and saw several Mohammedans and Parsees wearing turbans. He could not understand why he was singled out to be rebuked.
'Sir,' he replied, 'I see no reason why I should remove my turban. I refuse to do so.'
'You will please remove it,' the magistrate roared.
At this Gandhi left the court.
Abdulla ran after him into the corridor and caught his arm.
'You don't understand,' he said. 'I will explain why these white-skinned people behave like this.'
Abdulla continued: 'They consider Indians inferior and address them as 'coolie' or sami'. Parsees and Mohammedans are permitted to wear turbans as their dress is thought to be of religious significance.'
Gandhi's dark eyes flashed with anger.
'The magistrate insulted me, 'he said. 'Any such rule is an insult to a free man. I shall write at once to the Durban press to protest against such insulting rules.'
And Gandhi did write.
No sooner had sat down than the magistrate pointed his plump finger at him.
'You must remove your turban,' he said sternly.
Gandhi was surprised. He looked round and saw several Mohammedans and Parsees wearing turbans. He could not understand why he was singled out to be rebuked.
'Sir,' he replied, 'I see no reason why I should remove my turban. I refuse to do so.'
'You will please remove it,' the magistrate roared.
At this Gandhi left the court.
Abdulla ran after him into the corridor and caught his arm.
'You don't understand,' he said. 'I will explain why these white-skinned people behave like this.'
Abdulla continued: 'They consider Indians inferior and address them as 'coolie' or sami'. Parsees and Mohammedans are permitted to wear turbans as their dress is thought to be of religious significance.'
Gandhi's dark eyes flashed with anger.
'The magistrate insulted me, 'he said. 'Any such rule is an insult to a free man. I shall write at once to the Durban press to protest against such insulting rules.'
And Gandhi did write.
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