DEROZIO'S TRIAL

DEROZIO'S TRIAL:

Delve into the complexities of Derozio's trial, examining its impact on literature and society in 19th-century India. Discover the legacy of this influential figure.

Derozio's trial

He spoke of independent thought. He told his students to question any static body with logic.

He is only 24 years old.

 But his knowledge, thoughts and talent are centuries old.

 Born in the Portuguese family in the city of Kolkata with the mission of awakening Bengalis. 

Henry Devian Derozio.

This article is not intended to settle the debate on whether the Bengali renaissance was limited to a few urban families. 

The story of the expulsion of the extremely popular teacher Derozio from the then Hindu College (later Presidency College), which was considered a great seat of learning, is a story ofReading about this amazing trial may remind you of some ancient scenes from the trial of Socrates.We can understand Derozio's attitude from a poem he wrote when he was eighteen, a poem he was famous for. 

He quotes Campbell's famous quote "And as the Slaves departs, the Man returns" to express the sentiment of the poem he is writing.

Explaining this, 

renowned researcher and essayist Binoy Ghosh writes, 'The poet Derozio says that when the slave learned that he was free from his exile as a slave, his inner being rejoiced with joy.

When he tasted the taste of a free life, the elevated thoughts of a free man also began to twinkle like stars in the infinite sky of his mind. He would no longer kneel before anyone, nor bow his head, but would hold his head high and think high like a fearless hero.I began to think - this sky, this wind, this bird, this river, like them, I am also free, I am also free.' This independent romanticism was mixed with his philosophical reasoning. 

The commentary that Derozio wrote on Kant's philosophy during his student life aroused a response in the scholarly circle. So, is it not natural that he would question a society enslaved by a blind thought tied to religion, reform, and arbitrary rituals?

Derozio was appointed as a teacher to teach in the higher classes of Hindu College in 1828.

 It should be remembered that he was born in 1809.

 Long before joining the college, he had earned fame by writing articles and poems in various newspapers.

And as soon as he entered college, his influence on the students was enviable.This young teacher began to draw older students around him like a magnet.Derozio was dedicated to educating students in Western poetry, literature, and philosophy, thereby making them rational.And while doing that work, his students attacked the so-called Sanatan Panths.Derozio's residence, both in and outside the college, was always open to his students. He told them, 'Think for yourselves. Do not be influenced by any of Bacon's gods. Take truth as the basis of life and death.' Derozio used to say that he who cannot argue is a fool and he who does not argue is a slave.' His student Radhanath Sikdar said of Derozio, 'He is the only creator of the spirit of truth-seeking. He had a great hatred for sin and injustice. In that, there can be no good for India but no bad.'Derozio's followers published one magazine after another, questioning evil practices and expressing opinions on social and political issues.Many have praised the DeRozans for standing up against prejudice.

 Society could not accept these challenges from the followers of a young teacher. 

Just as Socrates had to stand trial one day, Derozio was no exception.

On 23 April 1831, a meeting of the Board of Directors of Hindu College was held. In that meeting, a historic memorandum was put forward for discussion. It said, 'Since Derozio is such a root of corruption and a menace to the public, he should be expelled from the college. 

If any student attends a meeting, he will also be expelled.' In Derozio's trial, two votes were taken to expel him.

 He was defeated in the first vote.During the second vote, Wilson and Hare had to abstain because the Hindu community had brought charges against Derozio and therefore they had no right to express an opinion on it.The main 'parliamentary' charge against him was that he had hurt the students' faith in God. In response to this charge, Mr. Wilson  Think like a fearless hero.I began to think - this sky, this wind, this bird, this river, like them, I am also free, I am also free.' This independent romanticism was mixed with his philosophical reasoning. The commentary that Derozio wrote on Kant's philosophy during his student life aroused a response in the scholarly circle. So, is it not natural that he would question a society enslaved by a blind thought tied to religion, reform, and arbitrary rituals?

Derozio was appointed as a teacher to teach in the higher classes of Hindu College in 1828. It should be remembered that he was born in 1809.

 Long before joining the college, he had earned fame by writing articles and poems in various newspapers.

And as soon as he entered college, his influence on the students was enviable.This young teacher began to attract older students to himself like a magnet. 

Derozio was dedicated to making his students rational by educating them in Western poetry, literature, and philosophy.

And while doing that work, his students attacked the so-called Sanatan Panths.

 Derozio's residence, both in and outside the college, was always open to his students. 

He told them, 'Think for yourselves. Do not be influenced by any of Bacon's gods. Take truth as the basis of life and death.' Derozio used to say that he who cannot argue is a fool and he who does not argue is a slave.' His student Radhanath Sikdar said of Derozio, 'He is the only creator of the spirit of truth-seeking. He had a great hatred for sin and injustice. In that, there can be no good for India but no bad.'Derozio's followers published one magazine after another, questioning evil practices and expressing opinions on social and political issues.Many have praised the DeRozans for standing up against prejudice.Society could not accept these challenges from the followers of a young teacher. Just as Socrates had to stand trial one day, Derozio was no exception.

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Hindu College was held on 23rd April 1831.

 In that meeting, the following was raised for discussion:  A historical memorandum. It states, 'Since Derozio is such a source of corruption and a terror to the public, he should be expelled from the college. 

If any student attends a meeting, he will also be expelled.' At Derozio's trial, two votes were taken to expel him.

 He was defeated in the first vote.During the second vote, Wilson and Hare had to abstain because the Hindu community had brought charges against Derozio and therefore they had no right to express an opinion on it.

The main 'parliamentary' charge against him was that he had insulted the students' faith in God. Derozio wrote a letter in response to Mr. Wilson's accusation. 

He wrote, 'If it is wrong to speak on that subject, then I am guilty.For I have no fear or shame in declaring that I have expressed the doubts of the philosophers on this subject, and I have also stated the method of removing those doubts.Why argue about such a big issue?

Banned somewhere?

If so, it is wrong to argue for any opposing side. Is it consistent with the idea of ​​enlightened truth to cling to a single idea on so great a subject and to turn a blind eye to all opposing ideas? 

 Under special circumstances, I was entrusted with the teaching of young people for a while. Could I make them arrogant and stupid superstitious?

 For this reason, I introduced some college students to Hume's famous dialogue between Cleanthes and Kilo. It contains a very subtle and clever argument against theism. But at the same time, I also let the students read the answers given to Hume's arguments by Dr. Reid and Dugald Steward.

 No one has been able to refute that answer today. Now understand what my crime was."It is no wonder that I should be called an atheist and a non-believer. Those who think independently about religious matters are forever adorned with those epithets."Within months of being expelled from college, he died of cholera at the age of just 24 DeRozio died. But even after his death, the movement of his students did not stop.