This was a unique case of treason in which the accused was stating that the charge of treason against him was not a crime for him but his highest duty. The accused demanded maximum punishment, not mercy. On the other hand, the judge while giving the sentence was saying that the court is bound by the law, hence he will have to give punishment. But in the future, if the circumstances become such that the government reduces the punishment, then no one will be happier than me.
Mahatma Gandhi was the accused in this historic case of treason of 1922. The judge was C.N. Broomfield. Read the story of this historic case. Mahatma Gandhi was arrested by the British police from Sabarmati Ashram on the evening of 10 March 1922. Smiling naturally, Gandhi gave his arrest.
Those three articles which became the reason for treason against Gandhi
The reason for the action against him was the three articles he wrote in the weekly Young India newspaper during the non-cooperation movement, in which the British rule was strongly criticized. The government considered these articles as treason. It was decided to prosecute them. Among the articles that led to the lawsuit was an article dated September 29, 1921 titled Tampering with Loyalty. On December 15 this year, Gandhi had angered the government by writing another article, The Puzzle and Its Solution. After his article Shaking the Manes of 23 February 1922, the government and administration lost their patience and Gandhi’s arrest was decided. The British government alleged that through these articles Gandhi instigated the people against the British rule.
Mahatma Gandhi. Photo: Getty Images
The court became a platform to protest against the British
Gandhi’s arrest and trial in this case is remembered as a historical event of the Indian independence movement. This case is famous as the Great Trial of 1922. In this case, from his arrest to the entire trial, Gandhi had used it as an effective platform to expose the British rule and its oppressive laws and to express public anger against it.
By accepting the allegations and rejecting any kind of mercy, he had given a direct challenge to the British government and given the message that India is no longer ready to tolerate more injustice. As always, Gandhi was gentle and polite in the court, but the firmness of his every word astounded the judge and put him in trouble at the time of decision.
Priest of non-violence accused of inciting violence
Ahmedabad District Sessions Judge C.N. This case was heard in the court of Broomsfield. Bombay’s Advocate General J.T. Strongman was present to represent the government side. Strongman said that Gandhi talks about non-violence but on the contrary incites anarchy. Strongman emphatically accused Gandhi that in the last two years, people were being instigated to overthrow the government and these articles were part of the same conspiracy.
Strongman had linked the brutally violent incidents of Bombay and Chauri-Chaura to them. The prosecution had held Gandhi responsible for attempting to overthrow the government and inciting unrest and violence. But in the further proceedings of the case, Gandhi’s stand shocked the prosecution as well as the judge.
Accepting the charges – they are not crimes but duties
Instead of denying the allegations of the prosecution, Gandhi accepted and said that what he wrote was completely conscious and deliberate. His statement in this case is included in the memorable incidents of the freedom struggle. Gandhi had told the judge, “The charge of treason that has been made against me is not a crime for me but my highest duty. If the people of the country are prevented from expressing their dissatisfaction against the unjust rule, it would be the biggest crime. I have deliberately and with full responsibility tried to create dissatisfaction among the people, because in my opinion the present government is destructive for India.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
Unperturbed by the sentence, Gandhi continued, “British rule has impoverished millions of people and broken the political and economic backbone of India. If my views are considered a crime, I am ready to receive the most severe punishment for this crime.” Broomfield, as judge, was dealing with an accused who, instead of any mercy, was saying politely but firmly, you have two paths before you –
If you feel that this law of treason is wrong then resign from your post. And if you believe that the law is right then give me maximum punishment.
Never seen an accused like you!
The case had been heard. The court now had to decide. Gandhi not only accepted the charges but also justified the articles that formed the basis of the case. Usually, such situations in a case make the judge’s job easier in giving a verdict, but in this unique case, the accused Gandhi had created deep respect for him in the mind of the judge.
Delivering the verdict, Broomfield had said, “It is my duty under the law to try you as a criminal, but it is equally true that a person like you has never come before this court. You are a great patriot and leader for millions of Indians.” Even those who do not agree with your politics consider you a person of high ideals. Then the judge expressed his compulsion, “But the court is bound by the law and hence it will have to punish.”
manifesto of moral resistance
On March 18, 1922, the judge sentenced Gandhi to 6 years of simple imprisonment. Interestingly, while pronouncing the sentence, Broomfield was saying with respect for Gandhi in his heart, “If in future the circumstances become such that the government reduces your sentence, then no one will be happier than me.
Gandhi’s reply was expressing his inner determination, “I accept this punishment with full humility. This case is considered historical because, regardless of the punishment, Gandhi put the British power in the dock through moral resistance. This case became the ideological manifesto of non-violent resistance in the Indian independence movement. It was also considered as a challenge to the colonial power through moral strength. After the sentence, Gandhi was sent to Yerwada Central, Pune. But two years later, in 1924, Due to ill health, the British government released him from jail without serving the full sentence.
Court proceedings became a platform for struggle
Two treason cases have been of historical importance in the struggle for Indian independence. The first case took place in 1908 against Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who declared that Swaraj is our birthright. Second, against Gandhi in 1922. The reasons for both the cases were articles written against the British. Six years’ imprisonment was given in both the cases. But there was a big difference between these two cases. Tilak defended his articles in court and said that he had not committed any crime. Gandhi, on the contrary, accepted the charge and said that if expressing dissent was a crime, then he accepted the crime. While Tilak’s trial was a symbol of nationalist resistance against British rule, Gandhi’s trial was an attempt to challenge the moral legitimacy of colonial rule. Both these cases had a deep impact on the Indian independence movement. The punishment given to Tilak made the nationalist movement more radical.
On the other hand, Gandhi’s trial raised questions over the morality of British rule across the world. In reality, the cases of Tilak and Gandhi were not ordinary cases. He was a symbol of the conflict between colonial rule and Indian nationalism. The court became the means. Tilak and Gandhi had made the proceedings of the cases a weapon to awaken the country.
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