The Ilbert Bill Controversy was related to the__:a)Imposition of restr...
- Ilbert Bill is named after Courtenay Peregrine Ilbert, who was appointed as legal adviser to the Council of India.
- The bill was introduced in 1883 by Viceroy Ripon, who actually desired to abolish the racial prejudice from the Indian Penal Code.
- Ripon had proposed an amendment for existing laws in the country and to allow Indian judges and magistrates the jurisdiction to try British offenders in criminal cases at the District level.
- It was never allowed before. So naturally, the Europeans living in India looked it as a Humiliation and the introduction of the bill led to intense opposition in Britain as well as India (by the British residents). So it was withdrawn but was reintroduced and enacted in 1884 in a severely compromised state.
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The Ilbert Bill Controversy was related to the__:a)Imposition of restr...
The Ilbert Bill Controversy:
The Ilbert Bill Controversy was a political controversy that arose in British India during the late 19th century. The controversy was related to the removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans.
Background:
During the British rule, the Indian magistrates were not allowed to preside over the trials of Europeans. The Europeans, on the other hand, were tried by the British judges. This created a sense of discrimination among the Indians, as they felt that they were not treated equally.
The Ilbert Bill:
In 1883, Lord Ripon, the then Viceroy of India, introduced a bill called the Ilbert Bill. The bill aimed to remove the disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans. The bill also aimed to provide equal opportunities to the Indians in the judicial system.
Controversy:
The Ilbert Bill was opposed by the European community in India. They felt that the bill would undermine their authority and status in India. The Europeans feared that they would be subjected to the whims of the Indian magistrates, who they believed were not competent enough to try them.
The opposition to the bill was so strong that Lord Ripon was forced to withdraw the bill. The withdrawal of the bill led to widespread protests and demonstrations among the Indians. The Indians felt that their aspirations for equal treatment under the law were being ignored.
Conclusion:
The Ilbert Bill Controversy highlighted the discriminatory and unequal treatment meted out to the Indians during the British rule in India. The controversy also exposed the deep-rooted prejudices and biases of the European community in India. The controversy paved the way for the Indian nationalist movement, which aimed to achieve independence from the British rule.
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