Q. Why did the Europeans in India start a vigorous movement for the repeal of the Ilbert Bill?
(a) For excluding Indians form Viceroy’s council.
(b) They wanted to be exempted from the jurisdiction of Indian Judges and magistrates.
(c) For monopolizing the higher judicial posts for Europeans.
(d) All of the above.
Ans: (b) They wanted to be exempted from the jurisdiction of Indian Judges and magistrates.
Explanation: The Europeans in India started a vigorous movement for the repeal of the Ilbert Bill because they wanted to be exempted from the jurisdiction of Indian Judges and magistrates. Therefore, the correct option is (b).
The Ilbert Bill, introduced in 1883 by Sir Courtenay Ilbert, aimed to allow Indian judges to preside over cases involving European British subjects in India. It sought to remove the legal distinction between European and Indian judges, granting Indian judges the authority to try European defendants in criminal cases. However, this proposal faced strong opposition from the European community in India.
The Europeans, who enjoyed certain privileges and considered themselves superior to the Indians, were not willing to subject themselves to the jurisdiction of Indian judges. They feared that the Ilbert Bill would undermine their privileged position and potentially result in biased or unfair judgments from Indian judges.
Consequently, the Europeans in India launched a vigorous movement against the Ilbert Bill, demanding its repeal. They wanted to maintain their separate legal status and ensure that they would not be tried by Indian judges. Their resistance to the Ilbert Bill was driven by their desire to preserve their perceived superiority and privileges in the colonial hierarchy.
