Utterly frustrated with the faction squabbling of Congress, Lala Lajpat Rai decided to go abroad to get away from it all. He could espouse the cause of India in foreign lands to bring pressure on the British government.
On 23rd August, 1908 he sailed for London from Bombay accompanied by a young worker. He stayed in England for almost six months to let the wounds heel. It didn’t mean that he sat idle there. He constantly wrote letters and articles is British newspapers propagating the cause of his country. He also met pro-India British political and social leaders to strengthen the support to the aspirations of the people of India. A strong support base in England could prove greatly helpful in the political battle against the colonial rulers.
‘Anti-Bengal Division Day’ was observed in Britain by Indians present there on 16th October. Lala Lajpat Rai spoke before a massive gathering of Indians there. His speech was charged with passion and sharply critical of British rule in India. He was applauded continuously. The people took a vow to do everything possible to achieve the final goal of freedom.
English Press Exposed
Lala Lajpat Rai returned to India in March, 1909. The pro-British English press of India and England had carried on a vicious vilification campaign against him. The press tried to paint him as an anarchist who was trying to destroy the British rule in India.
In the forefront of this defamation attempt were ‘Civil and Military Judge’ of Lahore, ‘Englishman’ of Calcutta and ‘Daily Telegraph’ of London. The Lahore paper accused Lala Lajpat Rai of being irresponsible anarchist.
In the 10th September, 1907 issue of ‘Englishman’ of Calcutta had commented—‘There is no doubt that Lala Lajpat Rai tried to spread rebellion and the insubordination mentality among the Indian soldiers of the British army. His premature release would be a stupid act. His capabilities make him the most dangerous person. Such half-religious, half politician, half-clever and half-mad people prove the most diabolic conspirators.’
The charge of the ‘Daily Telegraph’ of London was the most wild and scurrilous. It made a fantastic claim that Lala Lajpat Rai was an agent of the Amir of Afghanistan who was conspiring to bring down the British rule in India. The paper had no proof to substantiate its charge. It was obvious that the above papers were concocting lies to defame Lala Lajpat Rai at the behest of the British authorities. The aim was to distort the image of Lajpat Rai.
After his release from jail, Lalaji decided to take the newspapers to the court of law to expose them. The lies needed to be nailed down. He issued a notice to ‘Englishman’ demanding an apology and the damages of Rs. 50,000 for its defamatory article or face a libel case. The newspaper ignored the notice. Lala Lajpat Rai moved the court on 24th April, 1908.
Justice Fletcher heard the case. On behalf of Lala Lajpat Rai a panel of lawyers namely Ashutosh Choudury, Vyomkesh Chakravarti, S.R. Das, V.C. Mitra and Mr. Lahiri tore the defence of the newspaper to shreds with powerful arguments.
The judge gave the verdict in favour of Lala Lajpat Rai. ‘Englishman’ was ordered to pay damages and expenses of the case.
Lala Lajpat Rai moved a London court when ‘Daily Telegraph’ and ‘Daily Express’ ignored his notice. There was no evidence of Lajpat Rai in any way connected to the Amir of Afghanistan and in any conspiracy to overthrow the British government. The newspapers were ordered to pay damages to Lala Lajpat Rai.
Now, the English language press was totally exposed as propaganda organs of the British administration and the enemies of the people of India. The press had lost its credibility and the people realised how their leaders were systematically being defamed.
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