The poetics of Indenture in Mauritius
By Raju Mohit
1830s Slavery became unsustainable,
The fading out call liberation in masters’ mentation
Alternative labour speculation, Indenture in impregnation
1833 Fake Death Certificate of Slavery was crucified
Pretentious Birth Certificate of Indenture was certified
Wine remained the same, bottle remained the same
Stickers were changed, Trade mark was changed
1834 Started first Great Experiment on Indenture in Mauritius
Departed Atlas with immigrants on board from Calcutta
Horrorful Voyage, rough waves, dreadful kala pani
Dreams but worth dreaming, rose garden, golden stone
What was in wait, weighed healthier than sea-sickness
Jahaji bhai by side, whippers before sight, Geeta/Koran wrapped in hide
Ramayana, Tirukkural, Satya Prakash though sealed in luggage
Invoked vibes of courage, patience, endurance and hope
Many died, despite doctors on ship
Wept their comrades, smiled the sharks below the ship
Dead thrown in deep salted water, dying ones dumped on Flat Island
Survival landed at harbour, Port- Louis, Mauritius Island
Cattle like disembarked, registered and numbered
48 hours after, into sugar camps to discover fate in reserve
Ignited there from, Indenture, so called free labour against forced labour
Slavery was re-born and baptized as Indenture
Slavery was cosmetised with wage for this venture
Sun not setting in Colonial Empire, darkness settled on Indenture
1860-1885
110,000 complaints lodged in Colonial Court for non-payment of wages
Justice remained under trial, double cut system continued chopping wages
1871
Racial discrimination, De Plevitz petitioned, 9400 signed
Colonial Police insensitive, Administrative Authorities declined
1834-1922
300,000 arrests as vagrants, right of freedom denied
Frequent vagrant hunts, like hunters behind forest animals
Immigrant Pass compulsory, confinement to camps mandatory
Thousands died out of cruel treatment, harsh working conditions
More than hundreds committed suicide out of no hope for any hope
1870-1920
Cheated on cane weight, looted on land acquisition price
Exploited from rise to sunset, deprived of food healthy rice
Yet preserved tradition and culture, sang and dance in midst of turmoil
Mother tongue downgraded, attempt to obliterate, survived yet till day
1901
Ray of hope dawn out of blue, Mohandass Karamchand Gandhi transited
Stock of the Indenture plight came to light, M.K Gandhi was overwhelmed
1906
Gandhi sent Maganlal Manilal Doctor, dynamic French-speaking barrister
Began the beginning of Indenture’s end, started the non-violent Andolan
Fundamental human rights and needs, became the struggle targets
The pilgrimage stick of Manilal Doctor united the divided indentured Labourers
Hard work, savings culture, fraternity and unity in diversity were inculcated
Vital imperativeness of Education, keen interest in local politics transmitted Baithka, Maqtab took form to inform essentials of existential realities
A New Era started, nourishing in its womb the seed of freedom
1909
The Royal Commission under international pressure
Recommended Termination of the Indenture System
1910
The last ship Sudara landed at Aapravasi Ghat
With the last batch of indentured immigrants
And thus ended officially the Saga of Indenture
1910-1968
But the hangover continued
The old habit of exploitation continued
And so the Andolan, the struggle continued
Voting rights were denied, the Labour Party was born
The proletariat movement gained momentum
And thus was paved the way to Independence…
Raju MOHIT
Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund
An Appeal
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