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What is law? You would agree it is a set of constitutionally acceptable rules which apply to any citizen of a country. But what about the laws of an enslaved nation? Do we not agree that it is unfair for a foreign force to set rules for our homeland? Something similar happened with the British Raj in India. In colonising India, British imperialism shackled our nation for a long time.
Born on 13th October 1877
Born in 1877, Bhulabhai Desai was an avid learner from the beginning. After matriculating from the Bharda High School with flying colours, he went on to study Literature and History for graduation. On completing his MA in English Literature, his career as a professor flourished at the Gujarat College in Ahmedabad. Desai's passion for law pushed him to pursue a law degree simultaneously while teaching.
Becoming an advocate of the Bombay High Court in 1905 was the first milestone of Desai's legal career. The future had many big plans for Desai.
The earliest traces of Desai's political roots will notify us of him being a part of the All India Home Rule League under the leadership of Annie Besant. His direct and more prominent participation in defending the farmers of Gujarat of the Bardoli Satyagraha who protested against the unfair high taxes during the period of famine. Desai started gaining attention for his extraordinary arguments and formidable stance as a lawyer.
Convinced by the boycott activities of the Indian National Congress, Desai decided to join the party in 1930. He became a member of the Congress Working Committee on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's insistence. Desai became a public figure after getting elected for the Central Legislative Assembly from Gujarat in 1934. The stage was set for his participation in liberating India.
The Second World War played an impactful role in fueling the Indian freedom struggle. With the Quit India movement at its peak in 1943, many Congress leaders faced the wrath of the British administration to be jailed. Bhulabhai Desai was busy defending them and facilitating their early release.
In the meantime, a concerned Desai came into dialogue with Liaquat Ali Khan (a prominent leader of the Muslim League). They discussed how wonderful it would be to have a united nation where the Muslims won't feel alienated, and the need for Pakistan shall cease to exist.
The wind of the Desai-Liaquat pact in 1945 blew suspicious winds in both parties. While Liaquat dismissed the possibility of such a negotiation, Congress also lost its trust in Desai. It was a major setback to Desai's political career.
The tables turned when Congress had no other option but to choose one of their best lawyers, Bhulabhai Desai, to defend the case of three Indian National Army soldiers who were charged with treason.
Desai was a force to reckon with. He broke the back of the British laws claiming that the INA soldiers did nothing wrong in defending their nation. He appealed the International laws stating that an enslaved nation has all rights to use its force to call for liberation. His strong argument then laid the foundation of defending India legally from the British jaws. He might as well be considered lawless by the British administration, but he was the legal messiah of our nation.
A legal luminary, freedom fighter, and die-hard patriot, Bhulabhai Desai is one of the forefathers of our freedom struggle. He managed to outwit the cruel British laws to protect our motherland.
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