The Natal Indian Congress is formally revived

The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) was formally revived in 1971 after a long period of inactivity due to the harassment of its leaders by the apartheid government. It was formed in 1894 by Mahatma Gandhi with the objective of fighting discrimination against Indian Traders in Natal. It was also the first of the Indian Congresses to be formed. The NIC led to the formation of other anti apartheid movements like the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC), the Cape Indian Congress (CIC) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). After the banning of the African National Congress (ANC), both the NIC and the TIC were disbanded and their leaders became active in ANC underground formations. The move to re-launch the NIC was led by Mewa Ramgobin, husband of Ela Gandhi (granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi). Ramgobin had a long history of activism, from his leadership of the Univeristy of Natal’s SRC to his banning in 1965 by the apartheid government. One of the motions he promoted was the appointment of Chief Albert Luthuli as honorary president of NUSAS (the Natal Union of African Students). One of the issues suggested as a catalyst for the NIC revival was a press statement which highlighted the possible declaration of the Grey Street area as an Indian commercial group area for business & light industry, potentially leaving many Indian market tenants in the area vulnerable. The reinstatement of the NIC was partly aimed at preventing the state from co-opting the Indian middle class through such methods as the suggested Grey Street rezoning. Though there were protests against the reinstatement of the NIC by those who felt that the movement was too racialized, the organisation was re-launched with much support.