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Respected Gandhi-bhai, Seth Dada Abdullah Haji...

our partner in South Africa has a big case in the court here

Though we have engaged the best vakils and barristers...

we do not have anyone who understands our language

If you send your brother Mohandas here, he would be useful to us

If they already have vakils and barristers what will you do?

You will be just another clerk

Anything is better than the corruption of our courts here, isn't it?

But it is not even a year since you came back from London

Look, they are going to pay me hundred pounds plus all my expenses

And it is only going to be for a few months

I don't think you should go

Hari, don't put so much water on the Tulsi, it will die

- Come here. - You should stay here

- That's what I feel. - What am I going to do here in Rajkot?

The children will miss you

And what about you?

Durban Harbour, May 1893

Seth Dada Abdullah?

Gandhi-bhai?

I'm Dada Abdullah. Welcome. This is Rustomji Seth

- Hello. - Hello

I thought it might be you but you are in European dress...

- so I was a little confused. - It's my normal dress

- Come, let us take your luggage. - I'll manage

- Is a hotel far from here? - Hotel?

- You will stay with us at my house. - Please, come this way

- Did you have a good trip? - Yes

How far is it to Pretoria? I could leave straightaway

There is no hurry. My advocate Mr Baker will let you know when he needs you

About the case I only know that someone owes you 40,000 pounds...

- and refuses to pay. - That someone is his own cousin

Seth Tayab Haji Khan Mohammed. He's a very big man in Transvaal

But before you go to Pretoria, you will need to understand...

all the facts. Otherwise Tayab will try to influence you in his favour

Besides, I also need to know your abilities

- How shall I begin? - I will take you to the court here

Gandhi-bhai, it is nothing like anything you have seen in Bombay

- Good morning, Mr Eskam. - Hello Abdullah

This is Mr Gandhi. He is a Bar of Law from London

This is Mr Eskam. He's our attorney here, soon to be Attorney General

Mr Gandhi is from Bombay, he is helping me with my case in Pretoria

May he sit with you in court?

Why not? Come this way, Gandhi

Who is that next to you, Mr Eskam?

Your Honour, this is Mr Gandhi, from Bombay. Member of the Bar

Gandhi, remove your hat

Your Honour, this is a turban, as worn by advocates in all courts in India

Not here. Take it off

Your Honour, according to our custom, I would show you disrespect...

if I took off my turban. I would rather leave the court

Gandhi-bhai, please...

You were wearing a turban as well. They didn't ask you to remove yours

We Muslim traders are allowed to keep our turbans in court...

- other Indians are not. - Then I shall give up my turban...

- and wear a hat. - No Gandhi-bhai...

you will retain your turban as we do ours

What am I getting into here? I came here to help you with your case...

not to start a fight in the courts

Be careful. Don't let Tayab Seth and his men steal secrets from you

- But I must get in touch with him. - Whatever for?

He is your cousin. Don't you think it will be better to go in...

- for a mutual settlement? - Not with Tayab. I do not trust him

He doesn't keep his word

Tell me, do you have anything to read?

Here...

take this. It is an English translation of the Koran

- I think it will inspire you. - Thank you

As soon as you get to Pretoria, send me a telegram

- Goodbye. - God be with you

Hey coolie! What are you doing here?

Conductor, there's a damn coolie in my compartment

You are in the wrong compartment. All natives to travel in the band

- C'mon Sammy, don't give us any trouble. - I was issued a ticket...

for this compartment and I insist on going in it

No, you won't

I will not leave this compartment. Where does it say...

"Reserved for Europeans only"? Please show me

- Get off my train! - Pack him off

- Out you go, Sammy! - I will not leave the van!

I will protest to the authorities

In the luggage van! That's for you

And why should you not fight in the course of Allah?

And of those who being weak are ill-treated and oppressed

Men, women and children whose cries...

Our Lord, rescue us from this town...

whose people are oppressors

And raise for us from Thee, one who will protect

The train to Gauteng will now depart

All aboard

Johannesburg! Pretoria!

All passengers bound for Johannesburg and Pretoria can get on to this coach

- Where are you going? - Pretoria

This ticket is not valid, Sammy. This was for yesterday's train

But my principal had wired you about the change

And the name is not Sammy. Please check. Gandhi is the name

Oh yes, Gandhi

Well, you can travel on the coachman's seat

- Aren't there any seats inside? - Only Europeans

No natives and coolies. Sammy, you can take my seat next to the coachman

I will travel inside. Get on, or we leave without you

C'mon! Ya, ya!

Ya, ya! C'mon!

Sammy, sit down there. I want to set out to Navesburg

I will do no such thing. You forced me to sit out here

- This is now my seat. - Be quiet, you coolie bastard!

Get down, you!

Start the coach!

Filthy black bastard!

- Trying to emulate gentlemen, eh? - Stop it!

Stop it this instant or I report you

- Enough is enough! Let him be. - Well...

are you going to let him, or aren't you?

- Yes sir? - Get down there. I want to smoke

Pretoria, May 1893

Mr Gandhi! Come in

I hope you had a pleasant journey

- Hardly pleasant, Mr Baker. - Please take a seat

I can't find a single hotel that will take me in

I'm afraid there's a fearful amount of colour prejudice here

I may be able to find you lodgings

But I'm afraid they may not be up to your standards

I know a poor widow who will take you in, because she needs the money

Should we go and take a look?

- So when do I start work, Mr Baker? - Oh yes

It's a pity we won't be able to use you as a barrister

But you can assist me in communicating with Mr Abdullah...

that will make things easier

- Are you a Mohammedan like Mr Abdullah? - No. A Hindu

I'm afraid I don't know much about my own religion and even less so others

I'm keen though to make a study of all religions

Good, good

Some of us meet everyday in the church at one o'clock to pray together

- Perhaps you'd like to join us. - Yes

Let us pray

O gracious and most merciful Lord...

we pray that You will show the true path to the new brother...

who has come amongst us

And grant him, O Lord,

the peace that Thou has shown us

And may the Lord Jesus Christ, who died upon the cross to redeem us...

from our sins and to save us

from damnation, save him also

And all this, we pray in the name

of our Lord Jesus Christ and Saviour

- Amen. - Amen

What is that you are wearing around your neck, Mr Gandhi?

- Is it some kind of talisman? - Oh, that is from my Mother

- Is it of religious significance? - Yes, in a way

Superstition. You shouldn't be wearing charms around your neck, Mr Gandhi

- Why don't you take it off? - It will wear away with time

All this binds you to superstition and ignorance

You should free yourself from it, Mr Gandhi...

- and come to Christ. - If I am called, I will

God bless you

Hey you! Where do you think you are going, you coolie?

This is the house of president Krueger. No coolie is allowed on the pavement

What do you think you are doing, pushing him off like that?

I told him this was the house of President Krueger, sir

- No coolie is allowed on this pavement. - Are you all right, Mr Gandhi?

Yes

Do you know who this is? This man is a barrister

A man of a very high status

Such men should be taught a lesson. Why don't you take him to court?

- I will be glad to testify. - No, I don't wish to charge him

He is only following orders. All coloured men are the same type

- Did you hear that? - Sorry sir, I was only doing my duty

That was a very Christian act, Mr Gandhi

Is forgiveness a Christian monopoly, Mr Baker?

Salaam, Tayab Seth

- Who are you, young man? - I'm Mohandas Gandhi

I'm working on Seth Abdullah's case against you

Oh! And he asked you to come and see me?

No. He asked me to avoid you if I could

He's afraid you might influence me in your favour

My cousin is a very suspicious man

May I make a suggestion?

Wouldn't it be better for both of you to come to a mutual agreement?

- With Abdullah? - There's no harm in trying

You don't want to spend your time and money on a court case, do you?

All Abdullah wants to do is ruin me

How can I come to an agreement with Abdullah?

He expects me to sell off my assets and go bankrupt to repay him

Do you know what that will do for my image in my community?

- Will you at least consider it? - Considered

Have some sherbet

Thank you

I've heard that you have a lot of influence over the Indians here

Somewhat. Why?

It would be good to discuss the problems Indians face here

I've been here for two days and it's been... difficult

Do you think you could arrange for a meeting?

- I think it would help. - I think so, too

To your left, Gandhi-bhai

- I see the road bothers you. - Why? Doesn't it bother you?

Gandhi-bhai, many things bother us but the government just doesn't care

I live with an English lady. Her street is very clean

It would be. The municipality cleans those areas, they don't clean ours

- Why? Don't you pay your taxes? - Sure, we do

- They will still not clean our roads. - Then we should do it ourselves

You are a strange young man

My cousin hires you to fight a case against me, and yet you befriend me

And now you want me to pick up a broom and sweep the streets

- What else would you have me do? - Reconcile with your cousin

Yes!

Sydenham, Durban

Friends, may I have your attention please?

We are gathered here to say farewell to our dear friend Mohandas Gandhi

He has been with us for a few months, and in this short period of time...

he has endeared himself to us

He has achieved a great deal

He has got Abdullah Seth and Tayab Seth to talk to each other

And I'm very pleased to mention that they have agreed...

to settle the case out of court

Gandhi-bhai, you are a real miracle-worker

He has got our people in Pretoria to get together...

to talk about their problems and find solutions to these problems

- Gandhi-bhai, we will all miss you... - One minute, please

Gandhi-bhai, do you know anything about this bill?

- What bill? - The new Indian Franchise Bill...

before the Natal parliament

- How does that concern us? - It does, Rustom kaka.

You are about to lose your vote

What use is the vote to us anyway? Harry Eskam got us to vote for him once

And he won it. Since then we haven't voted for anyone

How does it matter now if they take away the vote?

This is the first nail in the coffin. First you will lose your right to vote

Then your right to trade, your right to property...

and finally, your right to remain here as British citizens

- You mean they will kick us all out? - We must consult with Harry Eskam

Harry Eskam is the one who has introduced the bill

Then you must take the case

How can I? I shall be leaving soon

But there are so many young educated Indians here who can take up the case

- There are, but they are Christians. - So what?

- Let us be frank. They are not like us. - What difference does it make?

Has it mattered that he is a Parsi and you are a Muslim and I a Hindu?

Why should it matter whether they are Christians or that...

- they speak Tamil or Telegu? - Stay, Gandhi-bhai

Postpone your going. I think you will be able to do something

- Are you worried about the money? - We can pay. What are your legal fees?

- Don't worry, all of us can pay. - No, I shall not take any fees

But I shall need money for other things

The first thing to do is to get the speaker of the Assembly...

to postpone any further discussion on the bill until we present our petition

Then we must get signatures to the petition from all Indians...

including Christians

And I'm going to need help from all of you

- So you will stay? - Yes, but only for a month

- Good morning, Mr Eskam. - Good morning, gentlemen

- What brings you to my neighbourhood? - House renting, sir

Mr Gandhi is going to be your neighbour

Really?

He's moving into a house just down the road there

Well gentlemen, let me not detain you

Mr Eskam, I wonder if I could speak to you about a matter

Mr Gandhi is applying to register as a barrister

- Would you mind proposing his name? - Well...

- We will pay your usual fees of course. - Of course

That won't be necessary. Mr Gandhi, I'll see you in my chamber

- I must apologise for this informality. - It's all right

He seems reluctant

Don't worry, he'll do it. He's in our debt

Your Honour, I oppose the application on behalf of the Natal Law of Society

I beg to submit, the legal profession is reserved for Europeans

The law, as it stands, makes no distinction...

between Europeans and others

The court has therefore no authority...

to prevent Mr Gandhi being enrolled as an attorney

We admit his application

Mr Gandhi, you can take the oath

I... state your name

I, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi...

- do swear... - do swear...

that I will truly and honestly demean myself...

that I will truly and honestly demean myself...

- in the practice of law... - in the practice of law...

according to the best of my knowledge and ability...

according to the best of my knowledge and ability...

- and further... - and further...

that I will be faithful to Her Majesty's colony of Natal

that I will be faithful to Her Majesty's colony of Natal

You must now submit to the rules of the court...

with regard to the dress to be worn by practicing attorneys

You can't wear your turban

As Your Honour pleases

I don't understand. Why did you take your turban off? Earlier you refused

I was a visitor then, I'm an officer of this court now

- I cannot disregard a custom. - Yes, but I still think it's important...

not to compromise on matter of principle, Gandhi-bhai

The principle may be the same but the circumstances are different

- Gandhi-bhai, the point... - Rustom kaka...

why quibble on minor matters? There are larger issues at stake

There's still lot to be done.

And you think a month is going to be enough?

I think maybe you'll have to stay longer

I've already considered that. It has taken more than a month...

to get 10,000 signatures We need to form a regular association

Something like the Indian National Congress

Yes

Friends...

the Natal Indian Congress is born

on this day... August 22nd, 1894

I thank you for electing me president

And with Gandhi-bhai at my side as honorary secretary...

my task will be made easy

Gandhi-bhai...

would you like to present the aims and objectives of the Congress?

Our first aim is to bring about better understanding...

- between people of colour and... - Speak up, please. We can't hear you

Our first aim is to bring about better understanding...

between people of colour and Europeans in the colony

Second; To spread information about Indian conditions here

Third; To hear our grievances...

and resort to constitutional means in resolving them

Fourth; To enquire in to the conditions of indentured Indians...

and to have them overcome their hardships

Natal Indian Congress. M.K. Gandhi, Attorney

This office is for helping Indians, they told me so in the bazaar

Oh dear! What happened? On the chair!

Mr Peters is my master. But he's not a good man

This morning he beat me and beat me

- See, two teeth are broken. - Oh dear!

You must help me, or else I will die

He is a Girmithiya, he is indentured to one Mr Peters

First let's get a doctor to dress his wounds. Try Dr Bose

And make sure you get a certificate about his injuries

Don't worry, we'll take care of you

We'll take you to a magistrate and lay a complaint

Then we'll get you released from your contract

Then find a new kind master. What's your name?

Balasundaram. I have no money

It's all right, we have money

There are many others like me

Jadhubansi, why did your employer beat you?

I was gone mad, sahab

My baby was burnt

My master gave no medicine

Everyday my baby cried in pain

Where was your baby?

- In the stable. - In the stable?

We sleep in the stable

- How many of you? - Eight, sahab

- Eight women? - No. I'm the only woman

All the others... they are men

They are three Girmithiyas and four natives

And your baby was all alone in the stable?

I was... I was only allowed to feed him at midday

Jadhubansi!

- Hurry! The mistress wants you. - Let me feed my baby. He's hungry

Hurry! She wants you just now

You clumsy girl! Now look what you've done!

You will go without rations and wages for a week

What are you looking at? Leave!

My baby died, sir

I couldn't go back to work

So they beat me

And they kicked me.

For three days they didn't give me no food

- What would you like to do now? - I will not go back to that master, sahab

They put me in jail four times because I couldn't go back there

I will stay all my life in jail but I will not go back to that master

Is there nothing else you'd rather do?

I will go back to my village

I didn't want to come

They tricked me

Will your people take you back?

They are my people, sahab

They are my people

Your Honour, I request that Jadhubansi be released in my custody

And that an order be made for her repatriation

So be it. Granted

All our time is being taken up with cases of indentured labourers

Jadhubansi can be sent back because she has people back in India

There're so many people like you, Vincent, this is the only country they know

Employers only see them as contracted labour for 35 pounds per annum

Either they work for their employer or they get shipped back

And those that remain here are forced now to pay a toll tax of 25 pounds each

It's terrible to ask a family of four to pay hundred pounds

It's inhuman. The entire system of indentured labour is evil!

I will petition the Viceroy in India when I get back to Bombay

Maybe I shall inform the members of parliament in England too

Vincent, perhaps I should write a pamphlet

Why not?

Incidentally, when are you bringing your family over?

As soon as I wind up my affairs in Bombay

Off Durban Harbour,

Captain Mill!

Captain Mill! Can you hear me?

Yes, I do. Can I land my passengers?

No, not yet. You're still flying the Quarantine flag

Just a formality, sir. As we left Bombay, plague broke out

You only left Bombay eighteen days ago

You will remain quarantined in midstream until further notice

Why aren't they allowing us to land?

No, it's nothing. Stop worrying

It's Dada Abdullah's ship, he's bound to do something

But what if they don't allow us to land?

What will happen then?

Have we done the right thing to come?

Why did you have to write that pamphlet?

Mr Gandhi came to the colony...

and enjoyed all the privileges the colony could afford

Instead of facts, he has written a scandalous pamphlet against us

He has dragged us into the gutter...

and painted us black and filthy as his own skin

There are thousands of coolies on those two ships out there...

ready to invade the colony and take over our jobs

They must be sent back. The government is refusing to do so

Why? Because they are Her Majesty's subjects

Order. State attorney Mr Eskam is here

Gentlemen...

I can assure you that the government is with you

The entire legislative assembly is with you

But the laws are not with you

We will pass new laws to prevent Indians immigrating to the colony

What about the coolies on the ships?

As far as the Indians on the Quoelend and the DRA are concerned...

we will keep the quarantine up until they leave of their own accord

I have with me an ultimatum from the Anti-Indian committee...

which is being formed to prevent the landing of your passengers

I must inform your passengers of its contents

All passengers who are desirous of settling in Natal...

are ignorant of the state of feeling here in Durban

But we have it from the Attorney General Harry Eskam that...

if you people are willing to return to India, the colony will pay the expense

We desire an answer before the ship comes alongside the wharf

Whether you elect to return to India or force a landing against...

the thousands of men who are ready and waiting to oppose your landing.

Silence! Silence!

Silence!

You cannot be stopped from landing, legally

You are being quarantined. We are now to anchorage for 26 days

And each day costs my company 150 pounds

That does not matter. What is important is our dignity

I will fight with you to the bitter end

Quarantine, or no quarantine, you will all disembark

The government is responsible for your safety

We have every right to land and we will land

Please inform the Anti-Indian Committee that we do not agree to return

We are now ready to effect a landing

I have instructed my men not to allow any demonstrators on board

If they do, the Union Jack will be lowered and presented to them

They dare not molest you if we surrender the flag

I ask you to be calm, and don't panic

Good luck to you all

Let me pass, please

Fellow citizens, you have won your battle

The government bows to your wishes

The legislative assembly will pass the necessary legislation...

to restrict future Indian immigration

You will soon be armed with this law

But you do not have this law now. So you must allow these Indians...

to disembark peacefully

Go back to your homes now and leave the rest to your government

Mr Gandhi! A message to Mr Gandhi!

Yes

- Kastur... - Yes?

Mr Eskam has sent me a note. He doesn't want me to land with the others

He wants me to leave after dark with police escort

You'd better go ahead with the boys, I'll join you later

- No, we go with you. - Don't worry about me

I'll be all right. Dada Abdullah is waiting in his carriage

He will take you to Rustom kaka's house. Here, take this

- Manilal... - Hari, hold Mani's hand

Now, carefully

I'm Lawrence

Mr Abdullah sent me to ask why you are not going ashore

Mr Eskam has asked me to wait until dark and only leave with police escort

Nonsense! Are you a thief to steal away in the night?

The town is already full of talk of how scared you are

Why? I have nothing to be afraid of. It's just that...

Mr Eskam has shown concern and I have deferred to his request

Deferred to Eskam?

Do you not know that he is behind the anti-Indian demonstrations?

If you sneak away in the dark, he will have proved that you are a coward

Well then, let's go

Gandhi! It's Gandhi!

Mr Gandhi...

Mr Gandhi, are you all right?

Those hooligans. You should have them all arrested

I couldn't let that crowd attack you. You should lodge a complaint

My husband will gladly record your statement

I think I've been vindicated

Their act of violence was just a result of their ignorance

I must get to my family. They will be anxious

Of course. I will have you escorted. I'm superintendent Alexander

And this is my wife. See to it that Mr Gandhi gets home safely

Thank you

I'm sorry you were assaulted. I apologise on behalf of the people of Durban

The Prime Minister of England has cabled us that...

your assailants must be prosecuted. Are you able to identify anybody?

Perhaps one or two. But I do not wish to prosecute them, sir

They were only acting on the information given to them...

by their leaders, which includes yourself and the government of Natal

Will you or the government of Natal prosecute yourself, sir?

If you had followed my advice there would've been no attack

I should not have doubted your intention. That was a mistake

Mr Gandhi, a word of friendly advice

This is not England or even India

Here, in South Africa, the interests of the European settlers come first

Otherwise we stand to lose everything to the natives

Her Majesty's government knows this, and so should you

Writing that pamphlet was not a wise thing to do

In such matters, sir, it is better not to be wise

"And so we settled down in South Africa"

"Bapu's law practice was doing well"

"And his involvement with the Indian cause kept him very busy"

Hari...

come here and take this inside

Don't be clumsy

"But he seem to have changed"

"Having other people serving you hand and foot"

"now appeared wrong to him"

"He wanted to live more simply"

"But this was not so easy on our children or me"

Why are you keeping him from his studies?

If the boys are going to do all this when will they study?

And when are you sending them to school?

We've gone into that before. The local Indian schools are of no use to them

And I will not use my influence to get them admitted into European schools

I don't want any special concessions for my children

- I'll teach them myself. - You don't have the time

Will you give up your law practice and everything else to teach them?

The outcaste has forgotten to clean his chamber pot. Can you hear me?

Your outcaste has forgotten to clean his chamber pot

- So? You clean it. - I will not

I will not clean the chamber pot of anybody and everybody

Look, I've tolerated it so far because of you

And now you want me to clean the chamber pot of an untouchable?

No one is untouchable

This is so wrong! Have you forgotten your religion, your beliefs?

Don't you care for these things?

I will not listen to such nonsense. If you don't do it, then I will

Give it to me

Don't act as if I'm forcing you because this won't do in my house

Your house, your wife, your children, your guests!

All right, keep them all to yourself. I'm leaving

You want to go?

You want to go? Then leave now

- Get out of my house this very minute! - Leave me! What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Have you no shame? You are pushing me out in this condition?

Where am I to go?

And just because I'm your wife, I have to put up with your nonsense?

Just behave yourself. What will the neighbours think?

I'll do it

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor...

and though I give my body to be burned and have no charity...

it profits me nothing

Charity suffereth long and is kind

Kastur... what is it?

What is it?

- Has the time come? - Get the midwife

Hari!

Go and call Rukhmaniben quickly. Go

- Is it bad? - Yes

She'll be here soon

It's all right, don't worry

It's going to be all right. I'm here, it's going to be all right

Okay, now just breathe hard, breathe from your mouth

Slowly... yes, all right

Slowly

Slowly

Don't push so hard. Yes...

If you are going to push so hard, you'll have a tear

I won't know what to do

All right... yes

Another boy

How are you feeling?

You would have made an excellent midwife

Durban 1899

So the British are going to fight the Boers

No matter who wins, we remain exactly where we are

I still think we must support the British

Why should we? The British treat us not better than the Boers

My British friends assure me that one of the issues in this war is...

- Indian rights in the Transvaal. - Nonsense

The Boers are fighting for their freedom. Why should we have to crush them?

The goldmines in Transvaal is what the British want to grab

That is what this war is all about. Gold

Haven't we claimed to be British citizens in every single petition?

- This is the chance to prove it. - Prove what?

The whites are fighting amongst themselves. Let them

It's not that simple. We are always being accused of being parasites

What you want us to do? March out on the roads with those volunteers?

- Are you serious? - I don't know how to be a soldier

I don't even know how to fire a gun

Rustom kaka, there are other ways to serve

Mother, a letter for you

Read this for me

"My respected wife Kastur"

"I hope this letter finds you and the boys well"

Our stretcher corps is in the thick of battle

The British army met with reverse after reverse in the beginning of the war

And large numbers were wounded

Carrying the wounded 7 or 8 miles on foot is part of our daily routine

Sometimes we carry badly wounded soldiers over a distance of 25 miles

Though our work is supposed to be outside the firing line...

the action at Spioenkop found us in the midst of battle

Water

The war is coming to an end

I should be back soon

Our work is being appreciated and everyone believes that...

Indian grievances are surely going to be addressed

The attitudes of the whites appear to have changed

I think that my work in South Africa is now over

We will soon be going home

- Aren't these farewell gifts beautiful? - Yes

This one was given by Rustom kaka, wasn't it?

- Yes. - It's pretty

And this... this is a diamond necklace

- From Madrasis. - Oh Madrasis!

And this one... this gold chain. Do you see that?

From Gujarati Hindus. It is in your name, Ma

Yeah. This will be for your bride

Now if you have finished with all this admiring...

please go and put that in the safe

Give it to me, Mani

What do you think?

Shall we keep all this jewellery?

Do we need such costly presents?

- What do you say, Mani? - Bapu, we don't need them

- Shall we return them? - But we would need them later

Why would we need them later?

Now will you plead them with your mother to return these costly jewels?

- Mother, we've decided. - We've decided to give them back

If your father wants to be a recluse, let him. You don't have to follow him

- Bapu is right. Why do we need them? - You keep quiet

I'm talking to your father

You may not, but I need these jewels for my daughters-in-law

- When the time comes, you can ask me. - Ask you?

You are the one who sold my jewellery, all that my Father gave me

And now you're going to get jewels for my daughters-in-law?

I will not allow these to be returned

And that necklace with 50 guineas. That was given to me

- What right do you have to return it? - These jewels were given to me...

for my services to the community

Here I work night and day. Is that no service?

I have lived like an untouchable serving all and sundry

I'm going to write to Rustom kaka, returning all these jewels

They should be kept in a trust for the community

You're just a hard, uncaring man

After five years in South Africa, we came back to India

Of our four boys, Ramdas and Devdas were born there

Bapu established his office in Bombay and his law practice was picking up

Just when we seemed to be settling down...

a cable arrived from South Africa with unsettling news

Without a second thought...

Bapu departed for South Africa, leaving us behind

When the British took over Transvaal we thought things would become better

But they only became worse

All of us are keen that you represent us

They put restrictions on our owning property here

Lands leased by us are being confiscated

Now this new Asiatic department that was set up to help us...

is doing quite the opposite. That's why we sent for you, Gandhi-bhai

This Mr Farlow is an old India hand, not easy to deal with

Mr Farlow will see you now

Good morning, Mr Farlow

This is Mr Mohandas Gandhi, Mr Farlow

Gandhi? How did he get into the Transvaal?

Mr Alexander, the Natal chief of police...

was kind enough to issue me a permit, sir

Alexander must've given you a permit through oversight

You are not a Transvaal domiciled Indian

I have lived in Pretoria for a whole year

That was in the Boer Republic, not the British colony

I represent the crown here. You may not wait on Mr Chamberlain

You may go now

- How dare he insult you? - Patience, Naidu. Patience

Just a moment, Mr Tayab

Tayab!

Look, Mr Chamberlain does not want to see Gandhi again

He's already met him in Durban

Why do you insist on including him in your delegation?

He does not live here. What does he know of your conditions?

I suppose you do, Mr Farlow

If you can't come with us, we'll cancel the writ petition

Don't do that. They will think we haven't got a case

What do you mean? Allow Farlow to treat you like this?

- I'll break his bloody legs! - Naidu, will that solve our problem?

No. Violence is not the answer, neither are petitions and delegations

We must mobilise Indian opinion. Yes, we need our own mouthpiece

Mouthpiece? We have you

My voice is not loud enough

I was thinking of our own newspaper

Something that reflects our own viewpoint

My young friend Madanjeet has a printing press

Yes

"Indian Opinion"

Show us your permit

We'll deport anyone who does not have a residential permit

Prepare yourself for relocation elsewhere

"Outbreak of Plague in Coolie Locations"

Gandhi-bhai, isn't the plague contagious?

Highly contagious

- You want to leave? - No, it's fine

"Plague Recedes. Indian volunteers show exemplary courage"

- Good morning, Mr Gandhi. - Good morning

We read your letter about the plague in the newspaper

- We would like to offer our services. - That's very kind of you

Fortunately, we've come to the end of our nursing duties

Unless of course we have new patients. Heaven forbid

Is there anything at all we can do? I'm Henry Pollock

- I write for the Transvaal Critic. - The Critic?

You are the one who wrote on the Indian question

I stand accused. Mr Albert West. He runs a printing press

Perhaps we can print some pamphlets for you

Printing press? Well, we publish The Indian Opinion

Madanjeet here manages the press

Well, as you can see he is in no position to do so at the moment

Would you like to go to Durban to run the press for us?

We can offer you a salary of 10 pounds a month and a share in the profits

Well, I can leave tomorrow if you like

Mr Pollock, perhaps you would like to write for The Indian Opinion

Though the Indian Opinion became a powerful weapon for the Indian cause...

Albert West was unable to keep the paper from going bankrupt

Bapu was reluctant to shut down the paper, and I was worried...

because it was using up all our savings

Have you decided what you want to do with The Indian Opinion?

I don't want to shut it down

I think I owe it to Albert. He's been working without pay all this time

How can you afford to keep it going?

We'll have to make it pay for itself

We should not have stopped taking advertisements

The aim of journalism is service, Henry, not commerce

- What are you reading? - Would you like to read it?

John Ruskin

"Unto This Last"

Reading that little book, Bapu found the direction he was seeking

I can't speak for anyone else. But I'm willing to work without wages

It won't work! It is better to close it down

No, I don't agree

Maybe we should reduce our wants and live a simpler life

I think if we grow our own food and build simple huts to live in...

- we don't need any wages. - What kind of a pipe-dream is that?

You know what Ruskin says?

The life of the tiller of soil and weaver of cloth is worth living

Whatever the labour, that of the barrister or that of the scavenger...

is equal in value

All labour is equal. All men and women are equal

And the good of the individual is contained in the good of all

I want to get a farm and put the printing press there

The paper is a business, it cannot be run from a farm

It's an idea worth considering. Don't you see what Gandhi-bhai is driving at?

The Indian Opinion has not been a business, it's a labour of love

Well, count me out of it. I'm going back to India

I didn't come here to be a peasant

Gandhi-bhai, we are with you. I will join you with my family

Have you found a farm yet?

Not yet. But I will

Hello there

Hello. I'm Mohandas Gandhi

Oh, Mr Gandhi! I'm Dube. Reverend John Dube

- What brings you here? - We are planning a settlement here

- Settlement? That's interesting. - Well, we're trying to emulate you

I know of your excellent school here and I've seen your paper...

- The Alangalaze Natal. - Yes

Your Indian Opinion and my paper used the same press for a while

Yes, we're going to be neighbours soon. We have a lot in common

Above all, we have God in common

Yes. Goodbye

Bye now

"Enclosed are the latest copies of The Indian Opinion"

"From this you can get much of the news here"

"I thought I'd return to India in a few months but now it seems unlikely"

"If your mother decides to join me, you are to come with her"...

"bringing Ramdas and Devdas. Manilal could stay on in Bombay"...

"with cousin Chaganlal, to continue his studies. Your loving Father"

- But I don't want to stay here. - Then you go with Mother

I'll stay and finish my school

Is that the real reason you want to stay back?

I know Haridas kaka's promise to marry Chanchal to you

I also know that the two of you are meeting each other

So?

Your father doesn't want you to marry before you are twenty-one

With what are you going to support your wife?

Once I'm properly educated, I can. Why not?

What will I tell your father then?

Here... this way

Johannesburg Station, December 1904

What is this?

- Did you have an accident? - Some nuts fell off the sails...

of the ship. And I got my finger stuck in the window of the train

Very careless

We shall have to put you both right with mud-packs

You haven't told me why Harilal is not here

Bapu, Harilal is going to marry Chanchal

But I had written to them that they were not to get married...

until they were older. He's not even twenty

Yes, but Hari was afraid that the girl's family will not wait

If he wants to get married in spite of what I told him, then it's his business

But I will stop thinking of him as a son

- You can't do that. - At least for the present

That boy was conceived in a moment of lust

It seems to have affected his nature

He who directs himself through dedicated action...

free from attachment, in full control of his senses, excels

He who directs himself through dedicated action...

free from attachment, in full control...

Shall we prepare the room upstairs for Hari and Chanchal?

He should only bring her here when he can support her

Why? We will look after her

A little separation will do him no harm

The Geeta says we must be free from attachment

You say anything that comes to your mind

Why are we born then if we have to give up this and that?

Kastur, to earn merit, we must learn to give up something

Haven't we managed well without servants?

I think we must give this house up and go and live in Phoenix...

on our settlement

I have also decided that from now on...

we shall use up all our savings for community service

You want us to give up this house? You want us to give up everything!

I haven't said we must give up everything. But we must learn...

- to live without possessions. - But what's the point in living...

if we cannot even keep the little what we have?

We have each other

Did I have a choice in the matter?

You do love me

I do, for better or worse

For better, I know

Having you by my side is the best thing in my life

After serving others, of course

What kind of pest is that?

Reverend Dube!

- Has something happened? - Twelve of our people...

have been blown up at the mouth of the cannon by the British...

as revenge for the killing of two tax collectors by Bombata's men

- They took twelve lives for two. - That's terrible news

- What's going to happen now? - We running in revolt...

against the poll tax. We have a war in our hands, I'm telling you

- I want to revive the stretcher corps. - What...?

Why should we? Why should we offer our services

to help the government to put down chief Bombata's rebellion?

After the Boer war what did we get? Just false promises, that's all

Gandhi-bhai, the Zulus are protesting against the poll tax just as we are

Would you call that a rebellion?

They want to force the Zulu farmers off their land and into their mines...

- and into their plantations. That's it. - Yes

I know that justice is clearly on the side of the Zulus

But as long as we are British subjects, we will have to support the government

Gandhi-bhai! Come this way!

Bring that body over there

Put it behind

Yes, leave a little space

Who did this?

- These are not battle wounds. - They were flogged

Flogged? Why?

The General ordered them flogged

They were taken prisoner as suspects and then left unattended...

- for further punishment. - Where is the nursing staff?

They absolutely refused to attend to these people

Isn't it their duty as human beings?

Perhaps you and your men would help. I know it's not part of your duties

But some of these people haven't been attended to for four days

This isn't war! It's a manhunt!

Aren't you coming to bed?

I can't...

get over the horror...

the suffering I've seen on the battlefield

You know, Kastur, when I was carrying the wounded and the dead...

I felt so small...

so inadequate

How can I help those who suffer if

I can't share their burden of pain?

If I have to serve others,

I have to empty myself of all desires...

detach myself from all ties.

Wealth, family...

wife

You wish to leave me?

I want to free myself...

from desire for you

Will you help me, Kastur?

I can do it

But for you to control your desire...

is like gathering an ocean in a tea cup

This new Bill will require all of our Indians above the age of eight...

"Empire Theatre, Johannesburg. September 1906"

men, women or child, to carry an identity pass

To get this pass, each one of us must give thumb and finger impressions...

- like criminals! - No! No!

Those who do not register before the registrar of Asiatics...

will lose the right of residence, can be fined, imprisoned, even deported

- No! - This pass has to produced on demand...

even when you are away and your wife is alone at home...

the police can enter and order her to produce her pass

- Will you accept this? - No

Today those with coloured skins need this passport...

but those whose skins are white need only the passport of their skins

This is the equality we were promised by Queen Victoria

We will not submit to this oppression

I will not submit to this Bill

And if any police officer comes to take my wife's fingerprints...

I will die before I let him enter my house

This is the war of principles and Jehad!

- To our mission! - May Allah bring glory!

As Allah as my witness, I swear that I will not give my fingerprints...

or carry a pass like a criminal. How many of you are prepared to join me?

Haji Habib has asked you to take an oath in the name of God

Each one must search his own heart and only take this solemn oath...

because his conscience allows him to do so

Not under any force. No

Our demands are just

Therefore our means must be truthful

Satyagraha (Non-violent Protest) Is based on truth

And truth means that our action cannot be violent

Violence only begets greater violence

It does not mean that we shall not undergo any suffering

Because it is only through suffering that...

we can change the hearts and minds of those that oppress us

I ask each one of you to pray silently to God within yourself...

to give us strength to face the struggle ahead

Please do not register! This is a black Bill!

We don't want any of our people to submit to it. Please go back

Please do not register. Don't do it

This is a black bill! Leave! Do not register

Go! This is a black Bill

It's a black Bill! Don't register

- You are a merchant, Mr Cachalia? - I was a merchant, until a few days ago

- What happened? - Your Honour...

what happened to him a week ago is of no relevance to the case

The accused has refused to register in terms of the Asiatic Act...

- as he is required to. - Your Honour, I intend to show...

- that the two are interrelated. - Proceed, Mr Gandhi

Mr Cachalia, would you please tell the court what happened to you a week ago?

My creditors forced me to liquidate all my assets to pay them out

Since then they have refused to give me any more goods

I had to shut down my business. They declared me insolvent

- Were you insolvent? - No, Your Honour

I paid them out. 20 shillings to the pound

- This doesn't make sense. - Your Honour, when an Indian...

refuses to register, the matter is not confined to the law enforcing agency

All the prejudice of the white community descend on him

Mr Cachalia's creditors declared him insolvent, because...

in their own words, they resented his involvement with Satyagraha

- What is that? - Passive resistance, Your Honour

Surely, they have a point there. All that Mr Cachalia's creditors...

wanted was the security that he remains solvent by not dabbling in politics

Was there any danger of your becoming insolvent...

- because you refused to register? - No, Your Honour

What is your response to the charge against you?

I cherish my freedom and my honour

I will never register and I will never carry a pass

Your Honour, it would mean giving up my freedom and demeaning my person

And I would never do that

I find you guilty as charged and sentence you to 3 months hard labour...

with the option of a fine of 300 pounds

- Why aren't you working? - I don't like this work

You don't like this work? You bloody coolie!

If I say you work, you better work

You piece of shit! Pigs!

If I say you work, you work!

Oh God!

What do you think this is? Labour camp?

Silence in court

Proceed

In the case of Rex versus Gandhi, the defendant entered the colony, and...

was ordered to register or leave within 48 hours on the 28th of December

He failed to do so

Any questions?

If the court permits, I wish to make a statement

Please make it short

My compatriots have been tried for the same offence

They have been sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a heavy fine

If they have committed an offence then I have committed a greater offence

I therefore ask for the heaviest penalty

You ask for the heaviest sentence under the law?

Yes sir

Silence in court

That is strictly out of proportion. Your offence was contempt of court...

for having disobeyed that order of December the 28th

And this essentially a political offence

And had it not been for your defiance of the law...

the court would have passed a lightest possible sentence

In the circumstances, two months simple imprisonment is fair

Victory to Gandhi Baba!

Victory to Gandhi Baba!

Long live Gandhi Baba!

Long live Gandhi Baba!

Salutations to our Motherland!

Salutations to our Motherland!

Gandhi...

I would like you to come to my office

Are you all right, Mr Gandhi?

As well as it could be under the circumstances

General Smuts has sent me to you with an offer

I discussed it with the president of your association and the other leaders

They have left the matter entirely in your hands

- What is the offer? - I have it here

Mr Gandhi for you, sir

So...

you are Mr Gandhi!

I'm sorry you've had to suffer imprisonment

Suffering is part of living, General Smuts

You know that as well as I do. You have seen war

Yes, indeed. I understand you are helping the British against us

And now you have come to terms with them

You know Mr Gandhi, I admire your people

They didn't lose heart when their leader was in prison

They went on regardless

- You can be proud of your followers. - Yes, I am

- Yet, you despise us. - No, no, I don't. I assure you

I have studied law in England just like yourself

Many of my fellow students were Indians. Splendid chaps

But here, I represent European interest

They want this law. If I defy them, they will turn against me

- That is democracy for you. - Of course

Democracy is solely the birthright of Europeans

I have consulted with General Bota

Once your people undergo voluntary registration, I assure you...

I will repeal the act

No registration with fingerprints

This is an emotional issue with my people

Where necessary, finger impressions will have to given

But we will waive this in exceptional cases

We will not tolerate harassment of those who cooperate with us

General Smuts, so far we have been dissuading people from registering

Now you want us to persuade them to register

That's easier said than done

Well, that concludes our business

I will send you a draft of the Bill for your comments

- As of this moment, you are free to go. - What about the others?

They will be released tomorrow morning

I have a small problem

I have no money

How much do you need?

Just the fare to Johannesburg. Thank you

Curious!

My friends, the truth of our struggle has forced the government...

to release our people from jail

But as a compromise they insist that we register ourselves voluntarily

After which, the Asiatic Act will be repealed

First the government must take back the Black Act, only then will we register

But then the Europeans may say that General Smuts has given in to us

Gandhi-bhai, what if Smuts does not repeal the Act?

He said that he will. We must have faith in him

We should not always mistrust our enemy

- Do we have to give our fingerprints? - Yes and no

We must give our fingerprints but those who feel that it is against...

your religion or conscience, may just give their thumb impressions

- What will you do? - I will give all ten fingerprints

You traitor! You have turned against us

You said that only criminals give fingerprints

And now you want us to become criminals!

Mir Alam, I have nothing against fingerprints, but against being forced

If you force me to salute you, I would be demeaning myself

But if I salute you of my own accord, it shows my humility, my good manners

I have heard that you are getting 15,000 pounds to be betray us

We will never give fingerprints, nor will we allow anyone else to do so

I swear, as Allah is my witness...

I will kill any man who applies for registration

Then you will have to kill me first

Because I'm going to be the first one to register

- Where do you think you are going? - I'm going to register

- By giving ten fingerprints? - If you come with me...

I will get you a certificate with only two thumb impressions

Traitor!

Traitor!

Are you all right, Mr Gandhi?

- Reverend Doke! - How do you feel?

All right

Just some pain in my chest and my teeth hurt

Where's Mir Alam?

He's been arrested, his companions as well

No, they should be released

That can be arranged later. You are our concern now

- I shall take you to my home. - No, I can't

- I can't. - But you will be safer there

I have nothing to fear

How are you, Mr Gandhi?

Not well enough to make it to your office, Mr Chamberlain

I wanted to be the first to register

I brought your papers with me

No one is willing to register unless you do

First the signing

And then the fingerprints, I'm afraid

You need this

Thank you

We've been betrayed! Smuts has introduced a new bill in parliament

- What are you saying? - He has withdrawn the Black Act...

only to introduce a new one, calling for compulsory registration...

- of all Indians, even children. - See Gandhi-bhai...

- you were wrong to trust him. - He gave me his word...

- he would withdraw the act. - You should've got it in writing

You are too trusting, Gandhi-bhai

A satyagrahi (Follower of non-violence) has to trust his opponent...

even if his opponent plays him false twenty times

You will one day meet your death in satyagraha...

and drag poor mortals like us along with you

- What do we do now? - Resume Satyagraha. What else?

I have here a telegram from the Governor

Transvaal government regrets determination of Asians...

to oppose new bill and announces inability to withdraw bill

Please, please

Our demands have been rejected. Two new bills have been passed

One to register all Asians in South Africa

And the other to close the door...

to all those except indentured labourers who may wish to come here

This is the most drastic kind of legislation that could've been...

passed in the empire. If we submit now then we shall be traitors...

to our country, to God and to our oath

We have come here today to get rid of our dog-collars...

to burn these certificates of our humiliations

May I ask all those who wish to burn their certificates to come forward?

Gandhi-bhai, I want to be the first to burn my certificate

I was wrong to attack you as I did. Please forgive me

Victory to Gandhi Baba!

Victory to Gandhi Baba!

- Gentlemen, what are you here for? - For our conscience' sake

Conscience be damned! Strip

What...?

- All of us together? - Yes, all of you

What do you think? I'm going to examine you individually?

Excuse me, sir. I'm not feeling very well, sir

You are just too bloody fat

Some good hard labour will soon put you right

Now strip!

Good to see you looking so happy, Hari. It seems jail suits you

Bapu, I've been here more times than you have

I hope this is the last time

Bapu...

after it is over, you must allow me to study further

Why? You are helping our cause better this way

Bapu, I want to prove my status, like you did by studying in England

Why are you sending Chaganlal to England and not me?

Chaganlal's family has sacrificed everything to join us in Phoenix

Your cousin is single-handedly running The Indian Opinion

- His education will better our cause. - You think he's devoted to the cause?

Once Chagan gets to England he will not come back

Even now all he does is to complain about us to everyone in Phoenix

Harilal does this, Harilal does that!

And he says Mother makes the presser boys do her personal work

- All right, that's enough. - What is going on?

No talking. Get on with your work

Disperse, all of you, before I call the police

Mr Gandhi, you are attracting too much attention here

We are taking you to another prison

Mr Gandhi, where are you going?

My little one!

Olive, come here

Why don't you eat?

I don't eat animal flesh

Why are you here? You are suffering so much

What did you do?

I refused to carry the Dom pass

What about the others?

They don't want to carry them

You are ill

No, I just need some fresh air

You are a good man

Thank you

Open the door

Gandhi, your wife is critically ill

I have orders for your release. But you must pay the fine first

That I will never do

If you will post a letter for me, I would be very grateful

Very well

"My dear Kastur"

"I can only come if I agree to pay the fine, which I refuse to do"

"If you keep up your courage and take the necessary nutrition"

"you will recover while I'm still in jail"

"If in keeping with my fate, you pass away"

"I should only say that I love you dearly"

"But even if you are dead, you are alive to me"

"God willing, you will live. Your devoted husband"

Stop pacing backwards and forwards and wearing out the floor!

Get some sleep. You are to be released in the morning

A small operation will stop the bleeding

But she is very anaemic, and she has lost a lot of weight

I can't risk giving her chloroform

Kastur...

have you heard what the doctor said?

If it is necessary let him do it

But first I must build up her strength. I will give her Beef tea

No

Then it is impossible for me to treat her

I will not risk her dying under my care

Now, first we'll have to change your diet

It would be good if you give up salt and lentil

It will make you feel much better

You always want me to give up things

It's only for your own good

Let it be. Leave my lentil and salt

Why me? Even you can't give it up

All right...

then from today I shall give up salt and lentil for a whole year

Good Lord!

Why did I provoke you?

I'll give up salt and lentil

But please take back your vow, or I'll never forgive myself

Please

Kastur, don't blame yourself

A diet without salt and lentil will only improve your health

And a vow once taken, cannot be revoked

Stupid... just stupid

Why are you so selfish? Your vow! Your satyagraha!

Our wishes do not count. It is only what you want that matters

It's all right, Hari

Bapu, I want to talk to you

Why don't you send me to England now that Chaganlal...

has stopped his studies and run away to India?

Hari, I need you here

Bapu, I beg of you to send me to England. I can be something

I know, I can

I have decided to send Shahpurji Adajania in Chagan's place

- He is a brilliant student. - I might have been brilliant too...

if you only let me. But you treat us like animals in a circus

- We must always dance to your tunes. - Hari...

- don't let anger get the better of you. - We are all victims of your fads

You took a vow of abstinence even though you are married

And yet you expect Mother to go on serving you

You want all of us to follow your example

- It seems that I have failed you. - Yes, you have

You are simply using us to satisfy your own ego

If you feel that your father has done you wrong,

then you must forgive him

You are doing all this for the Indian community

How does living in poverty, abstinence, manual labour...

not eating this or that, get us our political rights?

If you had made money or given your family a decent life...

and educated your children, would I ask you all this?

"Bapu, I have left for India as it has become"

"unbearable for me to be with you any longer"

"Our differences cannot be reconciled. Your son Hari"

I knew this would happen

Will I have stopped him?

I would never have stopped him

At least he could've said goodbye

You know he hurts easily

He's always been a sensitive boy

Then, God will do His will

I cannot sit and brood over my personal problems

There is lots of work to be done

Lots of work to be done

Mohan-bhai, I would like to introduce you to a well known architect...

Mr Herman Cullinburg. He's a great devotee of Tolstoy

That makes two of us

- Haven't I seen you somewhere before? - I attended your lecture on the Geeta

I see you're not celebrating this great occasion of the union of South Africa

Not much fun for us, Mr Cullinburg

There are still so many of us in prison

- We have nowhere to put their families. - Herman has an offer concerning that

Yes, I own about a hundred acres near Lorli, not far from here

It is rather neglected. But I could let you have it...

- free of rent, of course. - You take my breath away

You see, we can now have a second Phoenix Farm

Why Phoenix? We shall call it Tolstoy Farm

How much longer do you intend to keep up the struggle?

Until the government withdraws the Anti-Asiatic Act

Mohan-bhai, there is no end in sight. And the traders...

who have so far been funding you, have lost heart

I have faith in our cause

So Gandhi, my boy, I'm sorry for you

Put up a clean fight, but now your movement is running out of steam

You know, I want peace, but my hands are tied

The Act cannot be amended

- I see no difficulty. - The whites will not accept it

I have already conceded everything else

You and your families will be protected

We don't need your protection

All we want is that you put an end to racial discrimination

We refuse to be treated as outcasts because of the colour of our skin

You are not stating it fairly

Then would you care to state it in your own words, sir?

Look, there are only a handful of Europeans in South Africa

As it is, we have enough trouble with the natives

We cannot have anymore Asiatics coming here and causing further problems

And that is not discrimination for you?

It is particularly bad in the Orange Free State

The Free Staters will not have one more Indian

No Indian would care to be in the Orange Free State either

It's just that we will not tolerate a racial bar

If you'll show me the Free State law, I'll show you how you can amend it

Bring me a copy of the Free State law

So Mr Gandhi, what are you doing now?

Looking after the families of the passive resisters

It is no pleasure to imprison these people

- Are you still practicing law? - No, not at present

Then what are you doing for a living? Have you plenty of money?

I'm living as a pauper just as the others on Tolstoy Farm

- Tolstoy Farm? - Yes. Mr Cullinburg's farm

Oh Cullinburg! He is an admirer of yours, isn't he?

No, I wouldn't say an admirer. He is a good friend

I must come and see the farm. Where is it?

Near Lorli. Why don't you come and join us?

Yes, to oppose General Smuts

Caught you! Caught you!

Smuts has pulled the wool over our eyes again, Gandhi-bhai

The new lmmigration Act has been gazetted

Asians will now be debarred from the entire country...

not just the Orange Free State

Neither have they abolished the poll tax

Rogues! Humbugs! That's what they are

There is something new. Justice Sol's judgement

He decrees marriages conducted according to our religious rites...

are illegal because they are not registered

Well, then I think satyagraha must be revived

Our people have lost heart, Gandhi-bhai

So many years of struggle with nothing to show

How many satyagrahis can we get hold of?

A few. About forty maybe

I think a handful would be enough. We shall begin with the women

- Women? - Yes

Your wife from Tolstoy, my wife from Phoenix

- Have you heard something? - What is it?

You are no longer my wedded wife

Who said so? You create new problems every day

Not I, the government

Our marriage is not registered like a Christian one

So it is illegal. Therefore you are no longer my wife but my concubine

Where do these useless people get such stupid ideas?

Are you prepared to fight to become my wife once more?

You want me to go to jail?

No, I don't want you to go. You must make your own choice

- Why? Won't you ask me? - You must make up your own mind

Maybe you shouldn't go. Your health is not so good

All of a sudden my health has become so important

If I can survive you, I can survive satyagraha

If you are not successful, you may have to go to jail again and again...

even if you find that there is no one to look after your children

Are you all prepared for that? Because it is not too late to change your mind

Anyone who wants to, may stay behind

But remember that you are going to jail not just to defend your honour...

but to fight for the rights of Indians in South Africa

And I assure you, it's not going to be easy

"O King of the Raghukul Dynasty, Lord Ram"

"You are the One who purifies all evil, Sita Ram"

"Your name is God in any form"

"Bless us all, O Lord"

Gandhi-bhai, we have heard that Kasturba Devi and other friends...

in Phoenix are in jail. We would also like to offer satyagraha

Yes, of course

But they might not arrest you

If they don't, you go to the miners and persuade them...

to strike against the poll tax. They may not strike...

but you will get arrested for inciting them

The government has gone back on its word. It promised...

to abolish the poll tax but you still have to pay three pounds...

when your contract expires or go back to India. Are you willing to pay?

No!

Then strike! Stop your work now. We have left our homes for your cause

Gandhi Baba's wife and son are in jail. Are you willing to join us?

- Yes! - Then follow us

Hail Gandhi Baba!

Stop!

Where do you think you are going? Get back. Go back to your barracks

I'm warning you! Go back, or I'll fire

Hail Gandhi Baba!

Hail Gandhi Baba!

Mr Gandhi, you must call off the strike

Do you realise how much we are losing everyday?

The miners are striking to protest against the three pound tax

But what has the three pound tax got to do with us?

If you want your workers to come back to your mines...

then you must ask the government to abolish the tax

But how can we do that?

That is a government matter. We are only employers

If the workers have a legitimate grievance against us...

we will be happy to listen to them

But you cannot ask us to interfere with the government

The tax was imposed by the government in your interest, gentlemen...

so that you would have captive labour in your mines

The workers have no other weapon but to strike

So you will not tell our workers to return to the mine?

- I'm sorry, I cannot do that. - You have nothing to lose, Mr Gandhi

But will you compensate these poor, misguided workers...

for the damage that you have caused them?

There is no greater damage than damage to one's self-respect, sir

I have met the big bosses who own these mines and pay you your wages

They are very angry. As long as you are on strike...

it is not correct for you to live in the mine quarters...

and accept their rations. I will take you all to Tolstoy Farm...

and you can stay there until the strike is over

But please think very carefully before you come with me

Because you may lose your jobs and houses

But if you value your dignity and your freedom, then come, march with me

Salutations to our Motherland!

You are all soldiers of satyagraha now and you will get a soldier's ration

That's all I can give you. We will march for 25 miles a day

Please, only take as much as you can carry. Yes?

We will cross the border and hopefully we will get arrested

You may even get assaulted...

but please remain true and firm to your creed of non-violence

And remember, it is important to respect other people's property

What's going on here?

The coolies are going to be here in two days

We should shoot them before they create anymore havoc

Not one coolie should be allowed in town

Send them back to the mines, because they are bad influence on the coffin

Fellow citizens, please

What are you angry about? The Indians aren't coming to live in Folksrist

- They are merely passing through. - Passing through?

- Who are you? Never seen you before. - He's a coolie lover

We don't want any coolie booties in town. Throw him out

What's the matter with you, my friend? Are you afraid to fight them?

I have pledge myself to non-violence. You must be kind to them

Really?

Why do you want to lay your hands on innocent men and women?

Who ask only for the removal of an unjust tax

- What tax? - They will pass through in peace...

and they will just keep on going. That is the kind of people they are

They want to appeal to your hearts. Please, be reasonable

- I appeal to you in the name of God... - What do they know about God?

Mohan-bhai! Trunk-call to Pretoria. It's coming through

Please carry on

Yes, this is M.K. Gandhi. I would like to speak to General Smuts, please

Mr Gandhi, sir. He wishes to speak with you

I don't wish to speak to him

The minister is occupied. May I take your message?

We are at Folksrist and we are about to cross the border

Please tell General Smuts to reconsider. It is still not too late

All we want him to do is to abolish the three pound tax

Sir, they are about to march into the Transvaal

If you agree to abolish the poll tax, he will call off the march

Tell him to go to the devil. I do not wish to deal with him anymore

The minister says you may do as you please

He will have nothing more to do with you

We only want to cross the border. We do not want to harm anyone

We have strict orders not to let anyone through

Wonder how long they will take to get to the border and I don't even know...

how many of them they are. We'll just have to wait here

I'll get that

Come in

Thank you

3000 Indian miners are camping at Charlestown

1600 striking Indian miners marched from Danhouse to Charlestown

1700 Indian miners have left Newcastle for Charlestown

This is wonderful!

Gandhi! Who's Gandhi?

Yes?

- What can I do for you? - I have a warrant for your arrest

- You have to come with me. - Right now?

Yes

- May I leave instructions please? - Go ahead

The police have come to arrest me Please continue the march...

at daybreak, as planned. And only announce my arrest...

once you have halted for rations

Let's go

You are charged with...

having brought unauthorised persons into the Transvaal

Do you have anything to say?

I plead guilty for having done my duty

We have petitioned and pleaded with little or no result

I'm now convinced that our non-violent resistance and our own sufferings...

will ensure success. I wish to apply for bail

Silence

I object, Your Honour. I ask that the accused be remanded until the 14th...

until I've had time to prepare the evidence

Every prisoner not charged with a capital offence is entitled to bail

The accused is hereby granted bail for an amount of 50 pounds

The magistrate himself! To what do I owe this honour?

Mr Gandhi, would you step aside a minute?

Please carry on

You are now my prisoner

And here is a list of others who are to accompany you

I see that I have been promoted in rank

Magistrates are coming to arrest me. Am I to be tried here and now?

Come along. The court is still is session

A moment please

I'll be back soon. Please carry on

Mr Camley! It's you this time

First a policeman, then a magistrate...

and now the principal immigration officer himself

Please stand aside, Mr Gandhi. You are under arrest

Naidu! I'm going to jail, I may not come back to the march

- Proceed straight to Tolstoy Farm. - Come with me

- And please, all of you... - You are not allowed to make speeches

Please maintain peace and harmony

We have come to arrest you. Please do not offer any resistance...

and come with us peacefully to the railway station

From there you will be taken to jails in Natal

Workers strike!

"Sanitary Workers Join Strike"

"Sugar Refineries Close Down"

Come on men, hold your formations there

Get back to work you bloody bastards!

Brothers, wait! Don't listen to them

We will continue our satyagraha until the government has come to its knees...

- no matter what the cost. - You get them back to work at once

I cannot order them. They are willed by their conscience

March!

- These have just come in, sir. - What are they?

Telegrams. Bombay, Calcutta, Madras...

Delhi, London, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg...

and this batch here from businessmen and farmers

One from the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain

The president of the Indian National Congress, Sir Ferozeshah Mehta

- And one from the Viceroy. - What do they say?

In short sir, we're called murderers by one group...

and being blamed for ruining Natal's economy by the other

That Gandhi. Get me the Prime Minister

We have to call an emergency cabinet meeting

Long live Gandhi-bhai!

Welcome, Gandhi-bhai

That reception committee is not for you

That's because of the railway strike.

I heard that they put the Johannesburg station on fire

The leaders of the railway strike want you to meet with you.

They want to make common cause with you.

Tell them I cannot, unless they adopt non-violent means

Gandhi-bhai, her husband was shot by the police

Please don't cry, it's all right

You must forgive me, because I'm responsible

Your husband has given up his life and become a martyr

Your suffering will only end when your sisters including my own wife...

become widows like you

Don't cry

"God's true saint is he"

"who holds others' woes to be his own"

"No pride has he"

"he speaks ill of none"

"He holds all alike in honour"

So we meet again like two battle-worn generals

To sign a treaty, I hope

Treaty? With you holding a sword of passive resistance over my head?

No sword, no violence, not even by a way of retaliation

I know, I know

It would be easier to deal with you if like the railway strikers

You just got on with plain old-fashioned violence

I know that

Why else do you think we have embraced satyagraha?

You reduce me to sheer helplessness, Gandhi. What am I to do with you?

How can we lay hands upon you? You do not appear to be like villains

You have already sent municipal workers back to work

You refused to support the railwaymen strike only because it was violent

So Gandhi, what do you want?

It's all there in our letters, General

Cullinburg's, Pollock's, Cachalia's and mine

All your faithful followers

Not followers, colleagues, General

The commission papers, sir

You have asked to change two names on the commission. I cannot do that

The other points will be put before the commission

We were not consulted, so we refuse to appear before the commission, General

I do not mind that. But you should not prevent others from giving evidence

- What about the three pound tax? - That will be abolished

You will find it all in the final draft

And the marriage question?

We will recognise all monogamous marriages contracted by whatever rites

Hindu and Muslim priests can also legalise marriages

This leaves us with the question of the entry of domiciled Indians...

into the Orange Free State in the Cape

The government can be persuaded to accept that

So, can I take this as a provisional agreement?

Call it what you wish

But I want it in writing this time, General

No verbal assurances, you may deny it later

Touche! You will have your written statement

And of course you will be consulted...

once the Indian Relief Act is promulgated

Well, the specific demands in this campaign have been met

But we shall continue to fight against racial discrimination

What if the local natives follow your example?

- They will gain their country. - You are promising me more trouble

Not me

I plan to leave for India

No doubt we shall hear a great deal about you over there

If I may say so, those clothes don't really suit you

I have worn these clothes and shorn my head...

as a symbol of mourning for those who were killed during the satyagraha

What on earth is this? Why thank you

I made these sandals for you while I was in prison

They are very sturdy

You are leaving now

But it is clear I shall be walking in your shoes for a long time

He came to a strange land and made it his own

When he sailed for India, it was with mixed feelings of pleasure and regret

Pleasure, because he was returning home after many years

Regret, because it was great wrench for him to leave South Africa...

where he had lived 21 years and where he had realised his vocation in life

I will remain forever a South African Indian

How can I forget the lesson learnt...?

That, the greatest conflict can be resolved in peace

If we allow the resolution to come through the soul...

that, humanity is one,

intended to live in peace and in equality