RobbieS he was staunch supporter of Bhagat and others with him . He debated the case in the parliament and grilled the Britishers.
here is something from an Indian Writer . You can also read the book of AG Noorani who gave a detailed account of freedom movement and Bhagat Singh
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On 12th and 14th Septeber 1929, in Central Assembly, Jinnah made a long speech in context of Bhagat Singh and his comrades hunger strike and British imperialist design to hang these patriots with the sham of a trial in absence of the accused. It was the time, when even many Congressmen in assembly had condemned Bhagat Singh and B.K. Dutt for throwing bombs in assembly on 8th April 1929, for which they were transported for life, within one month in May 1929. When they went on hunger strike in jail in protest against misbehavior with them by jail staff and to demand status of political prisoner and human behavior with them in jail, British came with an amendment in criminal procedure code waiving the condition of presence of accused or their pleader in the court, thus by a sham trial convicting them in hurried manner.
The Tribunes special correspondent for Shimla reported that while participating in the debate in central assembly on British bill, on 12th Sept. 1929, Jinnah said, The man who goes on hunger strike has a soul. He is moved by the soul and he believes in the justice of his cause. The Tribune report mentioned, Mr. Jinnah created a profound impression by the excellent form in which he argued the case. xxx Mr. Jinnah was proceeding in this strain winning applause after applause from the spellbound house. (Quoted by A.G. Noorani in his book The Trial of Bhagat Singh) The Tribune on 14th July 1929, published the full statement of Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt as red out by Diwan Chaman Lall in the house.
Jinnah referred to Punjab in his speech by saying that the Punjab seems to be a terrible place
... He questioned the British Government, while discussing the amendment proposed by Home member James Crerar, Do you wish to prosecute them or persecute them?
Crerar not only damned Bhagat Singh and Dutt, he condemned 1915-17 first Lahore conspiracy case and 1925 Kakori case prisoners as well.
Jinnah challenged law member of the assembly to starve himself a little to know the impact of hunger strike on human body by saying- it is not everybody who can go on starving himself to death. Try it for a little while and you will see.
To Mr. Crerar, he rebutted by giving an example of Mr. Cosgrave, Prime Minister of Ireland, who was under sentence of death, a fortnight prior to getting invitation to form Government. Jinnah said in so many countries, not only youth, but even grey bearded persons have committed serious offenses, moved by patriotic impulses.
Jinnah asked British Government that after all what these youth were demanding from government, by going on hunger strike-Do they want spring mattresses? Do they want dressing tables? Do they want a set of toile requisites? No, Sir, they asked for bare necessities and a little better treatment. I ask you in all decency, why cannot you concede this small thing?
Jinnahs speech began on 12 Sept. and was concluded on 14th Sept. He put the British Government on mat by his brilliant exposure of British design- Dont you think that, instead of trying to proceed with an iron hand and pursuing a policy of repression against your own subjects, It would be better if you realized the root cause of the resentment and of the struggle, that the people are carrying on?
Jinnah even warned the government in this context- Money of the tax payer will (must) not be wasted in prosecuting men, nay citizens, who are fighting and struggling for the freedom of their country. According to A.G. Noorani, Jinnah had high esteem for Bhagat Singh and his comrades. Jinnah also said that if this amendment was passed then the trial would be just a travesty of justice.
Jinnah was supported my Moti Lal Nehru, Jaykar, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai etc. Amendment was carried through by 55 votes against 47. Jinnah had voted against. Even in February 1929 speech in assembly, Jinnah had condoled the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, with whom he had cordial relations. Also he pleaded for the release of Sikh leaders gaoled in connection with Sikh Gurdwara Act and opposed the detention of many nationalists like Vallabh Bhai Patel, Anne Besant, Ali Brothers, Hasrat Mohani etc.
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were tried under the amended act and after a sham trial, were hanged on 23 March 1931, A travesty of justice, in the words of Jinnah.
Writer is Professor at J.N.U. New Delhi and editor of Bhagat Singhs Complete Documents in Hindi.
Professor Chaman Lal
Centre of Indian Languages (SLL & CS)
J.N.U. New Delhi- 110067