Page:Works of Tagore from the Modern Review, 1909-24 Segment 1.pdf/13

Rh them tell their beads as much as they like"—he thought with glee—"everybody in this world is just as bad as myself. The only difference between a good and a bad man is that the good practise dissimulation while the bad don't." The revelation, however, that Krishna Gopal's far-famed piety, benevolence and magnanimity were nothing but a cloak of hypocrisy solved a problem that had puzzled Babu Ram Taran for many years. By what process of reasoning, we do not know, the burden of gratitude was greatly lifted off his mind. It was such a relief to him!

consider the experience I gained this time much better than the one I had in January last, as I have learnt much from it and I think it would prove of greater benefit to Indians.

The struggle by passive resistance is possible to be carried on in many ways, but the great remedy for redressing political wrongs seems to lie in passing through the ordeal of imprisonment. I believe that we shall have to go to jail often, and that also not in the present cause, but for wrongs which might be inflicted in future too. For this purpose it is the duty of every Indian to try to know as much as possible about Jails.

When Mr. Sorabji was arrested I wished that I too were arrested or that the struggle might end before he was released. But I was disappointed. The same wish again came over me when the brave leaders of Natal were arrested, and this time it was fulfilled. On my return from Durban, I was arrested on the 7th of October in the Volksrust Station, as I had not got a voluntary certificate with me and refused to give my finger marks.

My object in going to Durban was to bring back from Natal the educated Indians, and also those who were the old residents of the Transvaal. I had hopes that many Indians from there would follow their Natal leaders. Government also was of the same opinion and therefore the Jailor had orders to make arrangements for the accomodation [sic] of more than a hundred Indians, and tents, blankets, utensils &c., were sent on from Pretoria. When I got down at Volksrust with my companions I found many policemen in the Station. But all their preparations were useless, as I was accompanied by very few Indians and the Police and the Jailor were disappointed. There were six with me, and eight more started by the next train from Durban, so that there were fourteen of us only. We were arrested and taken to the Jail, and placed before the Magistrate next day. The hearing was adjourned for seven days. We declined to be released on bail. Two days after, Mr. Mavji Kursanji Kothari, who inspite of suffering from piles had elected to come with us, on his ailment becoming more serious, and there being the need of a picket at Volksrust, was sent out on bail.

When we went in, we saw there Mr. Dawood Mahamad, Mr. Rustamji, Mr. Angalia (with whom began the second instalment of the struggle), Mr. Sorabji Adajania, and about 25 more Indians. It was the month of Ramazan and the Mohammedans were keeping fast, and as by special permission they were allowed to take food supplied in the evening by Mr. Isap Suleman Kazi, they were able to observe their fast properly. It is not allowable to burn lights in outside jails, still on account of Ramazan they were allowed to keep lights and a clock. Mr. Angalia led them in prayer. Those who kept fast were in their first days given heavy work, but afterwards it was stopped.

For the rest of the Indians, permission