The Lawyer in a Turban

October 2 marks the birthday of two great men in our country - Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. It was a day off from school for Piya and Pakhi, and a holiday for their father as well.

- Kusum Agarwal

"Dad, could you please tell us something about the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi?" Piya and Pakhi asked their father. "Last time in Delhi, you showed us Gandhi ji's memorial at Rajghat and told us many stories from his childhood. We still remember one of them, about how he never cheated in his childhood."

Their father said, "Children, apart from Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial is also in Rampur in Uttar Pradesh. Bapu's ashes were brought to Rampur on February 11, 1948. A portion of his ashes were immersed in the Kosi River, while the rest were laid in the ground in a silver urn. Today, there is a magnificent Gandhi Samadhi at that place. We will visit Rampur during the next vacation."

"It will be so exciting, Dad. Our teacher was telling us that Bapu went to South Africa. Can you tell us why he went there and what was his experience like?" Pakhi asked eagerly.

"Alright, let me narrate that story to you today. Before India gained independence, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was renowned as a lawyer. He embarked on a journey from India to South Africa to represent a case for Abdullah & Co."

"The journey was lengthy. He arrived at the Natal port at the end of May 1893. Upon arrival, he witnessed the racial discrimination against native Africans and Indians in South Africa. Within a week of reaching Durban, he went to court with Abdullah Seth of Abdullah & Co.

"When he sat in the court, the magistrate pointed at him and demanded, 'You must remove your turban.'

"This demand surprised Gandhi. Looking around, he noticed many Muslims and Parsis wearing turbans. He couldn't understand why he was singled out.

"Sir,' he responded, 'I fail to see why I should remove my turban. I refuse to comply.'

"The magistrate insisted, 'Remove it!'

"In response, Gandhi ji stormed out of the court.