17. ILBERT BILL CONTROVERSY, 1883

17. ILBERT BILL CONTROVERSY, 1883

• Introduced by Sir Courtenay Ilbert (Law Member) during Viceroy Lord Ripon's tenure.
• Aimed to remove racial discrimination in the judiciary by allowing Indian judges/magistrates to try European/British offenders in criminal cases (previously, Indian judges could not try European defendants).
• Sparked fierce opposition/protest from the European/Anglo-Indian community in India (the "White Mutiny").
• Bill was eventually diluted/modified — a compromise was reached allowing a European defendant trial by jury with at least half European jurors.

Significance

• Exposed the racial arrogance of the British community in India and the hollowness of "equality before law."
• Considered one of the events that catalyzed Indian political consciousness and contributed to the eventual formation of the Indian National Congress (1885).

Key Facts

• Year: 1883; Viceroy: Lord Ripon; introduced by C.P. Ilbert