The Hindu : dated January 19, 1954: Plight of Indians in Northern Rhodesia

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Monday, Jan 19, 2004

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dated January 19, 1954: Plight of Indians in Northern Rhodesia

The Indian Association, representing nearly 3,500 Indians residing in Northern Rhodesia, brought to the notice of Britain's Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Oliver Lyttelton, undemocratic and objectionable features of life prevailing in Northern Rhodesia. The Association's memorandum was handed over to the Colonial Secretary by the Association's Chairman R.D. Patel, and Secretary R.I. Mistry. Mr. Lyttelton was visiting Northern Rhodesia following a crisis caused by non-co-operation in the Legislative Council. The memorandum reposed the Association's full confidence in the Colonial Secretary and assured him that Indian citizens of the territory would fully take their responsibility in the worthy task of creating in Northern Rhodesia a unified social structure to afford security, happiness, and a creative life for all. Citing the discrimination Indians faced, the memorandum pointed out that Indians were excluded from applying for plots of land in townships; throughout Northern Rhodesia, Indians were segregated to live in areas classified as second class; the local Civil Service was not open to the Indian community, although Indians had served the East African and Nyasaland Governments loyally and efficiently; Government's attitude towards the education of Indian children was step-motherly; Indian schools were under-staffed, and Indian teachers had to work in conditions much inferior to those in others; Indians were prohibited from becoming members of chambers of commerce and various other associations and bodies; hotels, cinemas and railway dining cars run on government licence were not open to Indians. The memorandum insisted, "It is a complete negation of British justice to apply discrimination laws against any one section of the rightful inhabitants of the federation."

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