The objective of Ilbert Bill in reference to colonial rule in India was

Q – The objective of Ilbert Bill in reference to colonial rule in India was-

(a) To bring Indians and Europeans at equal status as far as the penal jurisdiction of courts was concerned.

(b) To put a strict restriction on local press because they were considered anti to colonial rulers.

(c) To conduct Administrative Service Exams in India to encourage Indians to participate in it.

(d) To amend the Arms Act for weapon permit to Indians.

I.A.S. (Pre) 2003

 

Ans. (a)

Explanation – The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883 for British India by Viceroy Ripon who proposed an amendment to existing laws in the country at the time to allow Indian Judges and Magistrates, the jurisdiction to try British offenders in criminal cases at the district level, something which was not allowed at that time.

 

Ilbert Bill Lord Ripon ( 1880-84 ) wanted to remove two kinds of law that had been prevalent in India. According to the system of law, a European could be tried only by a European Judge or a European Magistrate. The disqualification was unjust and it was sought to cast a needless discredit and dishonour upon the Indian-born members of the judiciary. C.P. Ilbert, Law Member, introduced a bill in 1883 to abolish this discrimination in judiciary. But Europeans opposed this Bill strongly. They even raised a fund of one lakh fifty thousand rupees and established an organisation called the Defence Association. They also suggested that it was better to end the English rule in India than to allow the English to be subjected to the Indian Judges and Magistrates. The press in England joined the issue. Hence, Ripon amended the bill to satisfy the English in India and England. The Ilbert Bill controversy helped the cause of Indian nationalism. The Ilbert Bill Controversy is a high watermark in the history of Indian National Movement. Ripon was totally disillusioned and heartbroken and he tendered his resignation and left for England. The immediate result of this awakening of India was the birth of the Indian National Congress in 1885, the very next year of Ripon’s departure.