At the Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, close to Durban, the Indian Navy will take part in a commemoration ceremony to mark 130 years since the beginning of the struggle against apartheid. From June 6 to June 9, the Indian Navy’s INS Trishul, a front-line vessel, will be in Durban to mark the 130th anniversary of the June 7, 1893 incident at Pietermaritzburg’s railway station and the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic ties between India and South Africa.
In 1893, Mahatma Gandhi travelled to Durban, South Africa, to represent the businessman Dada Abdulla. On 07 June 1893, during a trip to Pretoria in the Transvaal, he first arrived at Pietermaritzburg station.Gandhiji, who had purchased a ticket and was seated in the first-class compartment, was removed at the request of a European because, in his opinion, “coolies” and non-whites were not allowed in first-class compartments. The episode is seen as the catalyst for Gandhiji’s struggle against racial discrimination and the beginning of Satyagraha.
On April 25, 1997, Nelson Mandela, the then-President of South Africa, presided over a touching ceremony at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station where Mahatma Gandhi was awarded the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg posthumously. This gave the tale of Gandhi’s struggles at the station new life. President Mandela recalled “Gandhi’s magnificent example of personal sacrifice and dedication in the face of oppression” as they came together to rectify a century-old wrong.
The visit of INS Trishul to Durban is part of the Indian Navy’s observance of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav, which honours significant events that influenced India’s war for independence. The ship will take part in a commemoration ceremony at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station during its visit to Durban. This event will include flower tributes at the Gandhiji Plinth and a performance by the IN band. Throughout the stay, the ship will also take part in other professional and social activities.
