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In 1921, after vigorously participating in Satyaagraha, P.P.Doctorjee was
arrested. The British regime filed a lawsuit against him, charging him with
sedition and treason against the British.
Whether to fight the lawsuit or not, became a hot topic of debate among the
congress leaders. Per Mahatma Gandhiji’s directive, hither to fore, all
persons in the Satyaagraha protest simply filled up the jails. Nobody uttered
a word of protest.
P.P.Doctorjee’s sharp intellect analyzed the situation quickly. He said: “It
is counterproductive to merely fill the jails. There is no one outside who
can explain our point of view. Newspapers and periodicals won’t print a
thing. Under such conditions, the courtroom is the best forum, where we can
effectively voice our arguments. I will not forego this opportunity”.
P.P.Doctorjee always listened to others with rapt interest and sympathy. But
he always did what he thought was right, and in the best interest of Bharat.
Once he made up his mind, he was undaunted even if the whole world seemed to
be against him.
He argued is own case in the court, and squarely questioned the right of the
British regime, as well as its legitimacy, to rule in India. The presiding
magistrate said, “His defense is more seditious than his speech (in the
Satyaagraha)”.
[This speech blazed across the nation in all leading newspapers and
periodicals. Needless to say, from that point onwards, meekly filling up the
jails like mute sheep was altogether abandoned by Satyaagraha participants!]
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