From the book: Passive Resistance 1946 - A Selection of Documents compiled by E.S. Reddy & Fatima Meer
The salvation of the Indian people in this country lay in a united front of non-Europeans. They could only aspire to be free by their own internal strength, however much the outside world might help them. The Indian people should, therefore, devote greater energy than before to the formation of a Non-European United Front in this country, but should not be allowed to interfere with their present programme of Passive Resistance. This observation was made in the course of an interview by Mr. M.D. Naidoo, Joint Secretary of the Natal Indian Congress, who was released on Tuesday morning, after serving his term of imprisonment as a Passive Resister. Mr. Naidoo if that this conviction has grown deeper and deeper during the time he had spent in jail. The people would, however, have to be ireful for no mass organisation of non-Europeans would work. The non-European Front envisaged, would, for some time, have to be a coordinating body.
Dr A.B. Xuma, President-General of the African National Congress supports Indian resistance, Johannesburg, 21 April 1946
(Extracts)
I believe that freedom is indivisible. The Ghetto Bill passed in the House of Assembly is not calculated to give any real representation but is a deliberate move to limit the elementary rights and freedom of the Indians in South Africa.
I therefore declare from this platform that we Africans do not only sympathise, but also will support and assist in all possible manners the Indians in their struggle against this inhuman legislation. Trusteeship is a euphemism for oppression and domination. The Native Representation Act of 1936 was not only a misrepresentation of the Africans, but also robbery of their fundamental rights. By this Bill, Herrenvolk South Africa has thrown us a challenge. It is up to the non-Europeans to get together and to march together to preserve human dignity, democracy and Christianity.
The Indian Ghetto Bill now passed in the House of Assent is not new to the African community. The 1913 Land Trust Act was the African Ghetto Bill which condemned us to live in reserves and locations. Smuts has dealt with us by using the imperialist policy of divide and rule. Yesterday it was the turn of Africans, today it is the turn of the Indian, tomorrow it will be the turn of the coloured and there is no knowing where this policy of racialism will end.
Dr Xuma supports Passive Resisters
Johannesburg, Thursday: Speaking at the Second National Conference of the Anti-Pass Committee held in Johannesburg on Sunday, Dr A.B. Xuma, the African leader, said: "We wish the Passive Resisters every success in their struggle against the Ghetto Act. If our Anti-Pass campaign gets going, we shall soon meet the Indian at a halfway house."
When the delegates of the Anti-Pass Campaign Conferee arose at the conclusion of their meeting to sing their national anthem those Indians assembled joined in.
After that, in a spontaneous burst, both Indian and African expressed his pain and protest at the unjust and oppressive laws of this country, in the slogans, "Down with the Passes", "Down with Ghetto Act" and "Long live Resistance."
African National Congress (Cape) supports Passive Resistance, Langa, 29 June 1946
The African National Congress (Cape) desires to assure the Indian passive resisters that we join with them in condemning the Union policy of colour discrimination of which they are the most recent victims.
Representing as we do a people who for many years have suffered under this policy of racial discrimination and separate representation, we can assure the Indians that we are entirely in agreement with them in their categorical rejection of the new "Ghetto" Act. Both tin the grounds of principle and on the basis of actual experience, the African people are convinced that no benefits of any permanent nature can be obtained by any section of the country under a system of land restriction and separate political representation. Only on the basis of full democratic rights which we shall continue to demand until they are accorded to all in South Africa without distinction of race, colour or creed can security and peace for all be obtained.
The failure of the government to deal with the lawless Europeans who have interfered with the legitimate and peaceful assertion of their rights by the Indians, coupled with the severe punishment meted clothe leaders of the Indian passive resistance movement, has reduced still further the little confidence that the non-Europeans have in the policy of the government towards them and has forged another link between the non-Europeans in their struggle against their common enemy -- colour discrimination, oppression and European domination.
Resolution at Meeting of Coloured People of Durban (APO) in support of Passive Resistance, 19 July 1946
That this meeting of the coloured people of Durban, held under the auspices of the APO (Durban branch) on 19 July 1946, welcomes the heroic stand taken by the Indian people of South Africa and Natal, in their fight against the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Act which is now the law of the land, and commonly known as the Ghetto Act. The passing of this Act has been denounced by all the progressive forces of the world, including the coloured people of America led by the famous Paul Robeson and others. In condemning this Act, this meeting calls upon the coloured community and all freedom-loving peoples to give full support for the complete withdrawal of this unjust Act, and urge the government of our country to give full democratic rights to all the peoples of South Africa, irrespective of their race, colour or creed.
Africans link up with Indians
"I am convinced that the African, if he is to achieve success in his struggle for freedom, must link up with the Indian Passive Resistance Campaign," said Mr. Z.A.H. Kumalo, Secretary of the Zulu Society, at the Maritzburg Indian Students' Parliament last Sunday evening.
By their non-violent methods, the Indians had drawn the attention of the world to the oppressive laws of this country. It was brains, not brawn that was required in this struggle for freedom.
Passive Resistance needed moral courage and it brought out the finer qualities in man. It was a cry from the heart, and it was practical bound to succeed in the end.
The motion which was carried, read: "That in the opinion of this House, the Africans of this country must link their struggle for freedom with the Indian Passive Resistance Campaign if they are to achieve any success at all."
Cape Malays support the Indian stand
Amass meeting was held on the parade. Cape Town, on Sunday last under the auspices of the Cape Malay Association, to observe the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves.
The Association had called the meeting to voice the opinion of the Malay people on such vital questions as the colour bar in industry, the political rights of the non-Europeans, and full support for the Indian complaint at UNO against the unjust and oppressive treatment of non-Europeans in South Africa.
Mr. Sundra Pillay, the Chairman of the Cape Passive Resistance Council, pointed out that this was not the fight of the Indians alone, it was essentially a fight for the democratic rights of all non- Europeans.
They must not put too much faith in the UNO, stated Mr. Cassim Amra. The composition of the UNO Assembly was such that it was likely to evade the fundamental issue of racial oppression in South Africa.
Councillor Mrs. Gool outlined her recent experiences in gaol Passive Resister.
She said it was time the non-Europeans backed up their long 'speeches with a united struggle.
The meeting adopted a resolution moved by Councillor Mrs. Gool and seconded by Mr. Noor S. Hassen, the President of the Cape Malay Association, expressing "its thanks to the Indian community for the strong stand they are taking to shatter the South African concept European racial superiority, which oppressed the non-white races South Africa, and the action of the Indians in bringing the issue before UNO."
"This gathering calls upon the member nations of UNO to compel the South African European Government to give immediate practical expression of its declared democratic policy as emphasised by South African delegation at the UNO Conference, and to put ''effect the principles of human rights with full and complete freedom of speech, liberty and action for all the racial communities comprising the South African nation by the practical application of Article 13 of the United Nations Charter."