Archive · 14 Sep 2026
AP Speaker Pays Homage to Gandhi at Historic Station
Andhra Pradesh Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu visited a historic railway station in South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi was removed from a first-class train there in 1893 because of racial discrimination.
Gandhi then spent a very cold night in the station’s waiting room.
The event became an important moment in Gandhi’s fight against unfair treatment.
Ayyannapatrudu visited the platform, waiting room, and Gandhi Memorial.
He said the place was sacred because Gandhi’s courage inspired movements for truth, equality, and human rights.
The Speaker also saw photographs about Gandhi’s 21 years in South Africa and the Natal Indian Congress.
Community leaders explained how they are working to preserve the historic site.
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station in South Africa.
Ayyannapatrudu visited the Gandhi Memorial, railway platform, and waiting room in KwaZulu-Natal.
Gandhi was forcibly removed from a first-class train compartment at the station on June 7, 1893, because of racial discrimination.
The Speaker said Gandhi’s experience helped shape Satyagraha and his commitment to truth, equality, and non-violent resistance.
He viewed an archival gallery and received a briefing on efforts to preserve the memorial and Gandhi’s legacy in South Africa.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, accompanied by Legislature Secretary-General Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara.
- What
- Paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and visited places connected with Gandhi’s 1893 train incident.
- When
- On Sunday; the train incident occurred on June 7, 1893.
- Where
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station and Gandhi Memorial in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Why
- To honor Gandhi’s legacy and learn about efforts to preserve the historic memorial site.
- Visitor
- Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
- Location
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Historical incident
- Mahatma Gandhi was forcibly removed from a first-class train compartment on June 7, 1893
- Aftermath
- Gandhi spent a bitterly cold night in the station’s waiting room
- Archival gallery
- The gallery documents Gandhi’s 21-year stay and activities in South Africa
- Historical organization
- The gallery includes Gandhi’s role in establishing the Natal Indian Congress
- Preservation efforts
- Community representatives briefed the Speaker on efforts to preserve and maintain the memorial site
