The Great Trial of Mahatma Gandhi/Introduction
INTRODUCTION
One of the most momentous trials the world ever witnessed took place in Ahmedabad on the 18th of March, 1922. Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest personality of the world to-day, was tried, convicted and sentenced to six years’ simple imprisonment for preaching disaffection towards the existing system of Government in India. No wonder the event excited the greatest interest all over the world and at tracted spectators from all parts of India to witness this great trial. The personality of the accused before the court, his international reputation as a saint and patriot, the offence with which he is charged, the political situation of the country at present and the probable results of his conviction on the political future of India—all made the occasion momentous and the trial historic.
Elaborate military arrangements were made to safeguard Ahmedabad in case of any disturbances. One could see the military marching through the main roads of Ahmedabad and occupying government buildings, banks and other places of importance. Everybody knew that it was a great day because the great man was going to be tried that day. There was absolutely no excitement in the town but the people seemed to be impressed with the solemnity of the occasion. The trial was announced to commence at 12 noon. But crowds began to wend their way towards the Government circuit house where the trial took place, much earlier than 12 noon.
At the gates and all round the court-house military were posted. Admission to the court-house was restricted by passes and only about 200 people could get in to witness the actual trial. At one end of the hall, there was a raised platform for the Judge. Below it, in front of the Judge, seats were provided for the Advocate-General and the Legal Remembrancer of the Government of Bombay. To the left two chairs were placed one for Mahatma Gandhi and another for Sjt. Banker. On the right some officers of the court were accommodated. The rest of the space in the hall was occupied by spectators including some of the well-known leaders of India.
It was getting on to 12 noon. Everybody was anxiously waiting for Mahatmaji. Once or twice the audience stood up thinking that he was coming but they were deceived. It was 5 minutes to 12 when there was a stir in the hall. The great man had come. The whole audience stood up as one man to do reverence to the great leader and patriot. Mahatmaji in his loin cloth and with his smiling face entered the ball followed by Sjt. Banker and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. A military officer who escorted Mahatmaji took him to his seat. All remained standing until Mahatmaji sat down. Нө put on his spectacles and was busy with some papers which he had in his hand. Hardly a minute passed before the Advocate-General entered the hall exchanged nods with Mahatmaji and took his seat in front of the Dais. Now everything was ready and everybody was waiting for the Judge. Precisely at 12-5 Mr. Broomfield, District and Sessions Judge of Abmedabad, took his seat on the Bench and the historic trial commenced.
The charges against them and the three articles of Young India which formed the subject-matter of the charge were read out to Mahatma Gandhi and Sjt. Banker by an officer of the court. When the reading was over the Judge turned to Mahatmaji and asked him whether he pleaded guilty or otherwise to the charge. There was a hush in the court-house. With a dignity all his own and a serenity beyond praise Mahatmaji stood up and in clear and distinct tone pleaded guilty to the charge and sat down. The learned Advocate-General opened the case for the prosecution. His voice was not quite audible throughout the ball. Now it rose, now it fell. He did not make, nor did he attempt to make any long speech. But he was careful about his words and be gave one the impression of performing a task rather disagreeable and unpleasant. On the whole he did not take more than 20 minutes. There was again a hush when the Advocate General sat down. The Judge asked Mahatmaji whether he wished to make a statement the question of sentence. Mahatmaji stood up and spoke a few words complimenting the Advocate-General on big fairness and endorsing every statement he made regarding the charges, “I wish to endorse all the blame that the Advocate-General has thrown on my shoulders”, said Mahatmaji in pathetic earnestness, “and I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible for me to dissociate myself from the diabolical crimes of Chauri-Choura or the mad outrages of Bombay.” These words of confession seemed to penetrate every heart throbbing in that ball and make those present there feel miserable over the mad deeds of their thoughtless countrymen. The speech finished and Mahatmaji sat down to read his immortal statement. It is impossible to describe the atmosphere of the court-house at the time he was, and a few minutes after he finished, reading his statement. Every word of it was eagerly followed by the whole audience. The Judge and the Advocate-General, the military officer and the political leaders all alike strained their ears and were all attention to hear the memorable statement of the Great Man. Mahatmaji took nearly 15 minutes to read his statement. As he proceeded with his reading, one could see the atmosphere of the hall changing every minute. This historic production was master’s own. The ennobling confessions, the convincing logic, the masterly diction, the elevated thoughts and the inspiring tone all produced instantaneous effect on the audience including the Judge and the Prosecutor. For a minute everybody wondered who was on trial whether Mahatma Gandhi before a British Judge or whether the British Government before God and Humanity. Mahatmaji finished reading his statement and for a few seconds, there was complete silence in the ball. Not a whisper was heard. One could hear a pin falling on the ground. The most unhappy man present there was perhaps the Judge himself. He restrained his emotions, cleared his voice, gathered his strength and delivered his oral judgment in careful and dignified words. No one could have performed this duty better. To combine the dignity of his position with the courtesy due to the mighty prisoner before him was no easy task. But be succeeded in doing it in a manner worthy of the highest praise, of course, the prisoner before him belonged to a different category from “any person be ever tried” or is likely to try in future. And this fact influenced his whole speech and demeanour. His words almost fell when he came to the end and pronounced the sentence of simple imprisonment for six years. Tears were seen in many eyes, sobbings were heard from many quarters.
But there was one man in the hall who hateth nought
Of all which lives, living himself benign
Compassionate, from arrogance exempt
Exempt from love of self, unchangeable
By good or ill, patient, contented, firm
In faith, mastering himself, true to his word who unto friend and foe
Keeping an equal heart, with equal mind
Bear shame and glory; with an equal peace
Takes heat and cold, pleasure and pain; abides
Quit of desires, bears praise or calumny
In passionless restraint, unmoved by each.
A minute passed after the pronouncement of the sentence. The Judge was evidently feeling happy that the whole business was over. He got up, bowed and departed—an instinctive tribute which truth claims from justice. The throne of truth is any day mightier than the chair of justice.
Then followed the last scene of this historic trial—the farewell-friends and followers, one after another, both men and women passed before him. He had a kind word or a cutting joke to everybody. The leave-taking nearly took one hour. The military officers with a motor were waiting for Mahatma Gandhi. They were not only courteous to him, but were even respectful and deferential. At about 2 o’clock Mahatmaji entered his car with his devoted wife, Pandit Malaviya, Banker and Mrs. Naidu. The eager crowds standing in front of the court house attempted to shout “Mahatma Gandhiki jai”, but be stopped it by his mighty finger. Thus disappeared from our midst, for a time the great saint and ancient leader, after delivering through him to the world, ‘India’s message of Truth and Non-violence’.