Indian Opinion
The first issue of Indian Opinion hit the streets on the 6th of June 1903. It emerged from Madanjit Viyavaharik's International Printing Press in South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi had organized its creation to educate European communities about Indian needs and issues. The publication appeared four days after its initial release date of the 4th of June 1903. This weekly newspaper served as a tool for the political movement led by Gandhi and the Natal Indian Congress. They fought racial discrimination and civil rights for the Indian community and native Africans.
Gandhi relocated the publishing office to his settlement in Phoenix near Durban in 1904. At this location, press workers shared land and profits if any existed. They grew crops to sustain themselves while working jointly to produce Indian Opinion. Mansukhlal Nazar served as secretary of the Natal Congress and editor. Hebert Kitchin, Henry Polak, Albert West, and Manilal Gandhi also edited the paper. Manilal Gandhi held the position longest at 36 years. Sushila Gandhi took over after her husband died. All but one editor spent time in jail during their tenure.
The newspaper began with a moderate tone that reiterated faith in common law. It sought not to provoke hostility from officials in Jan Smuts's administration. Editorials highlighted poor conditions under which indentured laborers worked on agricultural estates. Cases of harsh treatment by employers were publicized regularly. The astoundingly high rate of suicide amongst Indians was pointed out in reports. A campaign to end the system launched when editor Henry Polak traveled to India. From 1906 onwards it became a vehicle for challenging state laws. This tradition began during the satyagraha campaign between 1906 and 1913.
Gandhi wrote in a publication dated the 22nd of October 1910 about African rights. He stated Africans are alone the original inhabitants of this land. The whites occupied the country forcibly and appropriated it to themselves. The paper gave prominence to the African Women's struggle in Orange Free State. It supported John Langalibalele Dube criticism of the Natives Land Act. Brian Gabriel provided visual coverage as one of Natal's earliest Indian photographers. Local resisters received tribute within its pages throughout the years.
The pages provide a valuable historical record of disabilities that Indians suffered under colonial rule. They also offer an invaluable record of political life for the Indian community. Gandhi commented Satyagraha would have been impossible without Indian Opinion. His experience with the publication proved a major experience for his work on Indian independence. The paper continued publishing for many decades despite not being a commercial enterprise. It served social causes rather than profit margins until 1961 when it ceased operations.
The location known as Phoenix Settlement was restored in 2000 by South African authorities. It was declared a National Heritage Site by the government in 2020. Digital archives preserve issues from volume 28 through volume 59 covering 1930 to 1961. Scans exist for volumes 2 through 12 and separate links cover other periods. The Gandhi Heritage Portal holds Volume 1 Issue 1 from the 4th of June 1903. These records ensure the legacy remains accessible to researchers and historians today.
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Common questions
When did the first issue of Indian Opinion hit the streets?
The first issue of Indian Opinion hit the streets on the 6th of June 1903. It emerged from Madanjit Viyavaharik's International Printing Press in South Africa.
Who edited the newspaper Indian Opinion for the longest duration?
Manilal Gandhi held the editor position for 36 years at Indian Opinion. Sushila Gandhi took over after her husband died and all but one editor spent time in jail during their tenure.
What was the purpose of the weekly newspaper Indian Opinion started by MK Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi organized Indian Opinion to educate European communities about Indian needs and issues. The publication served as a tool for the political movement led by Gandhi and the Natal Indian Congress to fight racial discrimination.
Where was the publishing office of Indian Opinion relocated to in 1904?
Gandhi relocated the publishing office to his settlement in Phoenix near Durban in 1904. At this location press workers shared land and profits if any existed while growing crops to sustain themselves.
When did the newspaper Indian Opinion cease operations?
Indian Opinion ceased operations in 1961 when it stopped serving social causes rather than profit margins. Digital archives preserve issues from volume 28 through volume 59 covering 1930 to 1961.