7 June 1893 is a date that the world remembers. On this day, a young Indian lawyer, on his way to meet his clients in South Africa, was discriminated against and was thrown out of a train at a place called Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the young Indian lawyer, was appalled at the state of mankind where one was discriminated against on the basis of colour.
As he lay on the platform, being flung from the train, and later as he introspected in the railway waiting room, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had decided that he would stay back in South Africa to fight against this injustice. This waiting room was the birthplace of Satyagraha, an idea, a way of life which would bring an empire to its knees and would be the cornerstone of many non-violent movements all around the world.
The Pietermaritzburg station, referred to by the late President Mandela as “once one of the most notorious symbols of discrimination, intolerance and oppression in the world”, sees many visitors, especially those of Indian origin, who come to the station to pay homage to the great Mahatma at the spot where he was evicted.
The 7th of June 2018 would be the 125th anniversary of the historic event. The High Commission of India in Pretoria is organising a series of events on 6-7 June 2018 at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa to commemorate this unique moment that changed the course of world history. Join us!
