Meerut Conspiracy Case, Background, Impacts

The Meerut Conspiracy Case was a controversial court case during British colonial rule. This case involved a group of Indian trade unionists and communist leaders accused of plotting to overthrow the British government in India. The trial, which began in 1929, revealed the British political machinations and the growing unrest and demand for workers' rights and political freedom.

Meerut Conspiracy Case Background

The Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929) is significant in the history of India's national liberation struggle. It occurred when the entire capitalist world was reeling from the Great Depression while the newly formed socialist state of Soviet Russia was making tremendous progress. During this time, militant working-class struggles, most of which were led by communists and revolutionaries, reached new heights.

• Worker strikes, which peaked in 1921 during the Non-Cooperation Movement, declined with its withdrawal. However, by the late 1920s, strike activity increased again. 
• The Great Depression, starting in 1929, severely impacted the working class and peasantry, leading to heightened protests into the early 1930s. This period reflected the growing political consciousness among workers.
• The Communist International (Comintern) spread communist ideology in India, prompting the British government to target key figures of the Workers' and Peasants' Party (WPP). 
  • In March 1929, 31 leaders, including trade unionists and communists, were arrested under charges of conspiring to overthrow British rule, invoking Section 121-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

Meerut Conspiracy Case Features

The Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929-1933) was a significant trial involving prominent communist figures charged with subversion against British rule in India. It was marked by strategic courtroom tactics and a quest for political expression. The trial officially began in January 1930 and lasted until January 1933.

• Key Figures: The trial involved several prominent figures, including Muzaffar Ahmed, S.A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, and British communists like Philip Spratt and Benjamin Bradley.
• Charges: The accused were charged with attempting to establish a branch of the Comintern in India and conspiring to deprive the King-Emperor of his sovereignty over India.
• Trial Dynamics: Unlike previous 'communist conspiracy' cases, the Meerut prisoners decided to use the court as a platform to spread their agenda to the fullest extent possible. 
  • Muzaffar Ahmad advised Adhikari to use the Sessions Court as a propaganda platform by making political statements, so they decided to prepare themselves through study.
  • RS Nimbkar formally introduced the general statement made on behalf of all of the accused.
• Trial Location: The trial was held in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and was chosen strategically to avoid a jury trial, which might have been sympathetic to the accused.
• Verdict: Following the verdict, all 27 convicts appealed to the Allahabad High Court, which issued its decision in August 1933. 
  • The High Court dismissed all nine charges and sentenced the others to rigorous imprisonment. Their previous periods of remission were considered, and they were all released in November 1933.

Meerut Conspiracy Case Impact

The impact of the Meerut Conspiracy Case was far-reaching. It influenced various aspects of India's socio-political landscape and contributed significantly to the Indian independence movement.

• Strengthening of the Communist Movement: The trial significantly boosted the communist movement in India. It provided a platform for communists to spread their ideology and gain popular support. 
  • The defendants used the courtroom to express their political beliefs, transforming the trial into a means of publicising communist ideals and objectives.
• Publicity and Propaganda: The trial drew significant attention to India's communist movement. It served as a platform for disseminating communist ideas and strengthened the resolve of the labour movement.
• Increased Political Consciousness: The trial helped to spark a broader political awakening among the Indian people, resulting in increased participation in the freedom struggle and support for anti-colonial movements.
• Support from various leaders: Bhagat Singh and his comrades, who are also on trial in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, expressed solidarity with the Meerut prisoners. 
  • Periyar EV Ramaswamy, the leader of Madras' self-respect movement, expressed open sympathy for the Meerut prisoners. 
  • Many Congress leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, condemned the British and expressed their support for the Meerut detainees.
• Protests: The trial sparked protests and solidarity movements across India. Workers in major cities, including Calcutta and Bombay, went on strike, and the All India Trade Union Congress openly condemned the trial. 
  • This demonstrated the working class's potential power and ability to organise against colonial repression.
• Global Support: The trial drew widespread international attention, particularly from socialist and communist organisations worldwide. These organisations condemned the British government's repressive tactics and highlighted the plight of Indian workers on international platforms.

Meerut Conspiracy Case Evaluation

The Meerut Conspiracy Case was a watershed moment highlighting the tensions between British colonial authorities and India's emerging communist and labour movements.

• Context of the Case: The case involved accusations that communist leaders were plotting to overthrow British rule. It symbolized the growing resistance from India’s labour and communist movements.
• Solidarity and Working-Class Power: The case demonstrated the strength of united workers, with widespread solidarity across various trade unions. It marked a significant moment in the rise of the Indian working class.
• Political and Organizational Impact: The trial provided a platform for communists to solidify their strategies and organizational structure. Post-trial, the Communist Party of India gained strength and expanded its influence.
• Support Among Revolutionary Nationalists: Communism found increasing support among nationalist revolutionaries seeking alternative paths to independence. It presented itself as a credible force for national liberation.
• Criticism of British Judicial System: The prolonged trial raised questions about the fairness of the colonial legal system. Allegations of bias led to widespread criticism of British judicial practices.
• Legacy and Long-Term Effects: The case strengthened the Indian communist movement, influencing politics in the post-independence era. It contributed to growing discontent with British rule and its injustices.

Meerut Conspiracy Case FAQs

Q1. Who was the Defence lawyer of the Meerut Conspiracy Case?

Ans: The defence lawyers for the Meerut Conspiracy Case included prominent figures such as Kailash Nath Katju, M.C. Chagla, K Nariman and Faridul Haq Ansari.

Q2. Did the Meerut Conspiracy Case 1929 encourage the activities of the communists?

Ans: Yes, the Meerut Conspiracy Case of 1929 encouraged communist activities in India.

Q3. What happened in the Meerut Conspiracy Case?

Ans: The Meerut Conspiracy Case was a controversial court case in British India in 1929–1933 that involved the arrest of trade unionists for organising an Indian railway strike.

Q4. What was the judgement of the Meerut Conspiracy Case?

Ans: The Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929-1933) led to 27 convictions, severe sentences, and later appeals, resulting in reduced penalties and acquittals for the remaining defendants.

Q5. Who was the leader of the Meerut conspiracy?

Ans: Prominent leaders involved in the Meerut Conspiracy Case were Shripad Amrut Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed and Keshav Neelkanth Joglekar.