Gandhi's decision to fight for the rights of minorities

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Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian by Nationality. He was born on October 2nd 1869 in Porbandar, India. Mahatma Gandhi's original name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was born to Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibai. He came from a Hindu household. His father was the Dewan or the minister of the province of Porbandar. His mother was a very religious Housewife. His family followed strict rules of Hinduism, which included practice of non-violence, a lot of spiritual fasting, vegetarianism, and tolerance for other religion . His early years of life were a lot of turmoil. His father got very ill suddenly, which made him go through a lot of stress. Since his mother asked him to help her look after his sick father, Gandhi relieved his stress by taking long walks. But he eventually turned to smoking, shoplifting and even eating meat . He was good at studies. Although he did not think of himself as a very promising student he was surprised to receive awards and scholarships at school.

In1887, he started his college at the University of Bombay. He decided to go to England to become a barrister and then return for a job like his father's. His mother was slightly hesitant to send him there, so he had to vow not to touch women, wine, or meat while he was away. With help from his brother, he was able to raise the money necessary and set off for England . Ten days after arrival, he joined the University College in London. He had a painful time switching from east to western cultures, and one of the most difficult obstacles he had to overcome was the fact that he was vegetarian. After this, he returned to India for a short period and then went back to South Africa because he was not able to get job in India. After a lot of struggle he finally got an offer from a firm in Natal, South Africa. In South Africa the Indians weren't welcome by the white people .

One day Gandhi got pushed out of the train when he refused to leave his seat for a white person, it was then that he decided never to be pushed down again and to fight for the rights of minorities. He started to lead the Indian workers in South Africa and fought for their rights. At this moment he made a rule to himself which made him popular: never to use violence in his fights, even if others would use violence against him .

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