General Smuts, who had agreed to repeal the Black Act if the
Asiatics would voluntarily register themselves, went back on his words. While
the voluntary registrations were validated, the original act was still in the
books, so that those who did not register voluntarily before the cut-off date
and the later entrants were subject to the obnoxious Act. The Indians
intensified the agitation. Those who voluntarily registered gathered and made a
bonfire of about 2000 certificates. Those who were outside Transvaal entered
the state without permit. Both the resident Indians and those who entered
without certificates started hawking goods without permits, which was a
violation of law. They were arrested and sent to jail for periods ranging from
two to three months with rigorous labour and fine. Those who courted arrest
included prominent businessmen.
Gandhiji pleaded with General Smuts that while many in the
rank and file of passive resisters were suffering imprisonment, he himself who
was the chief instigator was still at large. He asked,” Is it courageous to
leave me alone and harass the poor Indians?”
On September 29, 1908, Gandhiji was arrested with 15 others.
On October 15 he was fined 25 Pounds or to undergo imprisonment for two months
with hard labour. Gandhiji said he would not pay the fine and would go to jail.
The Judge remarked, “I very much regret to see Mohandas Gandhi, an officer of
this court and of Supreme Court in the present position. Gandhi may feel
otherwise looking at the situation in the light that he is suffering for his
country. But I can view it only from the other point of view”
The charge against Gandhiji was he was not able to produce
the certificate (having consigned it to flames) and was not prepared to affix
fingerprints as a mark of identification.
He was sent to Volkrust prison and given the job as a
sweeper and also to work digging the earth. He sent a message to the passive
resisters lodged in different prisons,” Keep absolutely firm to the end.
Suffering is our remedy. Victory is certain.”
On October 27, Gandhiji was transferred to Johannesburg
prison. He was lodged with dangerous criminals and had to keep awake throughout
the night. He was released in the first week of December 1908, after the end of
the term
In his moving letter to Kasturbai from prison he
writes, “I have received West’s telegram about your illness. I feel
heartbroken. But I cannot come to look after you. I have sacrificed all in
Satyagraha struggle. I can come only if I pay the fine. And that is not to be
done. You must not lose heart. You will certainly get well if you regulate your
diet. Even it is my fate to lose you, I love you so much even if you are dead
you will always be alive to me. You should depart with faith in God. Such death
will be in accordance with the principle of Satyagraha.”
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