Mahatma Gandhi 35 - Satyagraha Resumed Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Many a promises are made,
But there is always a twist and turn,
Most often, promises are broken,
Sometimes, promises need to be reminded,
At times, deliberated and forced to make it happen.
General Smut's promises turned futile.
Instead of repealing the Black Act,
He maintained the Act on the Statute book.

Gandhiji and all the Indians who had voluntarily registered,
Felt let down, shocked to read the bill.
The Satyagrahis sent their ‘ultimatum' to the Government.
Since the Asiatic Act was not repealed,
They decided to collect all the certificates
And burn them openly in a public place.
Gandhiji called for a meeting to perform
The public ceremony of the burning of the certificates!

Mir Alam too, arrived at the meeting.
He apologised for the assault on Gandhiji,
Handed over his original certificate to be burnt as well!
This act of Mir Alam, welcomed with a loud cheer from the crowd.
Gandhiji held Mir Alam's hand with warmth of friendship,
Assured him that he had no resentment whatsoever!
The burning of the certificates turned out to be significant ceremony
Most widely noticed and an event published by English newspapers.

Two thousand certificates burnt by soaking in Kerosene oil;
When Yusuf Mian set it ablaze,
The whole crowd rose up to cheer,
With thunderous voices resounding in the air.
All the certificates were thrown into the rising flames.
The same year, General Smuts carried through the legislature,
Another Bill named Transvaal Immigrants Restriction Bill.
This act prevented entry of a sing Indian newcomer to Transvaal.

Resisting the fresh Bill several Satyagrahis
Deliberately entered Transvaal.
These Satyagrahis were arrested,
So was Gandhiji, imprisoned again!
In October 1912, Gokhale arrived in South Africa,
To mediate, between the Satyagrahis and the government.
General Botha promised Gokhale to repeal the Black Act.
But, nothing happened as promised!

A fresh turn of events happened
When the Indian women entered the Satyagraha movement!
All marriages celebrated according to Hindu, Muslim, Zoroastrian rites,
Rendered and declared invalid and illegal,
Except, those celebrated according to Christian rites!
The women were enraged and flared up in unison.
They valiantly rose to join the struggle,
Bravely coming out into the open to fight for their rights!