What is Ilbert Bill? - An Introduction
In 1873, before the introduction of the Ilbert Bill, the British government made a trial with the Indian magistrates by involving them in the death or transportation cases, which were tried by high courts. In 1883, the Ilbert bill was introduced by Sir Courtenay Pergine Ilbert, who drafted the bill during the tenure of Viceroy Ripon. In Indian history, the introduction of the Ilbert bill created many controversies among the Indians and British. This Ilbert bill allowed the Indian judges to handle the trials of British and Europeans.
The Indian judges were experienced enough for handling the civil service to preside over the cases. This created great anger among the European community. This article provides detailed information about the Ilbert bill, with controversies and resolutions of the bill.
About Ilbert Bill 1883
Ilbert Bill 1883 was mainly proposed to allow senior Indian magistrates for the trials of Europeans in India. This bill was weakened and compromised by many Britishers. It was enacted by the Legislative Council on 25th January 1884. The deepened opposition created bitter controversy between the Britishers and Indians. It created a stimulus for the formation of the Indian National Congress. Meanwhile, the proposal of the Ilbert bill became an initiative for violent protest among the Calcutta European business community and the Bengal indigo planters. This protest created huge sympathy among many officials. The British government announced that about half of the European jury should act on the British subjective cases. This announcement created a new political dilemma among the westernized Indian middle-class people.
The Ilbert Bill Controversy
The Ilbert bill created the possibility that trials of Europeans can be headed by Indian judges. So, Europeans felt the proposal of this bill made them inferior. Also, this bill created anger and resentment among the Europeans. The introduction of this bill also created violent protests among the Calcutta European business community that comprised tea and indigo plantations. These violent protests attracted the sympathy of many officials. Due to this controversy, huge racial discrimination occurred among the Indian and British judges and racial prejudices were widespread at the time.
Some of the English females also extended their support to the Indian judges, as they got trust from Indian judges to deal with such cases. So, these acts received considerable support against the bill. English women who opposed the bill created arguments among the Bengali women and said that they were ignorant and neglected by their men. They mentioned that Indians do not have the right to judge cases involving English women.
Bengali women stood against the claim to support the bill by mentioning that they were more educated than the English women, who opposed the bill. Meanwhile, they pointed out the Indian women with the highest academic degrees. It is important to mention that, in 1878, the University of Calcutta became the first university in India to admit female graduates in its post-graduation programs. Later, British universities also followed the same.
Resolution Against Conflicts of Ilbert Bill
Most of the British population and especially women opposed the Ilbert Bill. They stood together against the act of Viceroy Ripon and had forced to pass an amendment to have at least 50% of Europeans among the Indian panel of judges for the trials of the Europeans.
Finally, the Britishers came to a compromise, wherein the government has announced that the European jurisdiction would be conferred on the European and Indian District Magistrates and Session courts. Meanwhile, they also announced that they have the right to claim at least half of the panel members be European. On 25th January 1884, a British government bill was passed and it came to force on 01st May 1884.
The resolution among British people created huge controversy and deep opposition among the British and Indians. This action of the British was spread over the various part of India and set a new stage for the Indian freedom struggle. Within the next two years, many great leaders from all over India gathered together and established the Indian National Congress.
Conclusion
This article covered detailed information on the Ilbert Bill, who created the bill, what was the reason behind the Ilbert bill controversy, how the British viceroy tackled and provided resolution against the controversy of the bill in detail. This bill focused on providing equal opportunity to the Indian Judges to handle the cases of the Britishers but with this we also come to know another form of discrimination against the Indian Judges who were experienced and qualified but still considered as inferior to handle the cases of the English Women.
FAQs on Ilbert Bill
1. What was the purpose of the Ilbert Bill?
The main objective of the Ilbert bill was to provide authority to the Indian judges and magistrates to deal with the British offenders in criminal cases at the district level. This bill created racial tensions among the Britishers and Indians.
2. Who opposed the Ilbert Bill vigorously?
Europeans mainly opposed the Ilbert bill and middle-class educated Indians did not like the way that Europeans opposed the bill. Also, this bill partitioned public opinion into two distinct blocs. The Indian bloc supported the bill enthusiastically while the European bloc opposed it. English women said to be opposed to the bill and argued that the Bengali men neglected the Bengali women and thus Indian Judges should not be given the right to handle and judge the cases that included English Women.
3. Who proposed the Ilbert Bill in 1883?
On 09th February 1883, Sir Courtenay Peregrine Ilbert drafted the Ilbert bill formally, who was the legal member of the council of the Governor-general of India. During that time, India was under the viceroyship of the Marquess of Ripon.
