Ilbert bill: Controversy became a debate about fairness

Ilbert Bill controversy became a debate about fairness in law. It raised questions about whether Indians could be trusted with the same powers as British officers. It later became a strong reason for Indians to unite under the nationalist movement. What was Ilbert Bill ? The Ilbert Bill controversy of 1883 was an important event in British India's colonial history, highlighting the British administration's deep-seated racial bias. Ilbert Bill, in the history of India, a controversial measure proposed in 1883 that sought to allow senior Indian magistrates to preside over cases involving British subjects in India . The bill, severely weakened by compromise, was enacted by the Indian Legislative Council on Jan. 25, 1884. The Ilbert Bill was a legislative act introduced in 1883 during the tenure of Viceroy Ripon and written by Sir Courtenay Pergine Ilbert. The act stipulated that Indian judges could try Europeans.