'I Know Better'
Afterwards a case was filed against Khudiram. There were two lawyers on the Government's
side. There was no one at Muzaffarpur, whom Khudiram could call his own. Then a senior
advocate Kalidas Bose by name came forward to argue for him.
The pretence of a trial took two months. In the end, the Magistrate read his judgment
sentencing Khudiram to death. Even when the judgment was being read, Khudiram did not show
even a faint trace of fear.The judge was surprised
that a boy of nineteen years accepted death so calmly. "Do you know what this
judgment means?" he asked.
Khudiram replied with a smile "I know its meaning better
than you."
The judge asked, "Have you anything to say?"
"Yes. I have to explain a few things about making bombs."
The judge was now nervous that Khudiram might make a statement explaining how to make
bombs and thus teach everyone in the court. Hence he did not allow the boy to make a
statement.
Khudiram had not expected justice in a British court. But Kalidas Bose yearned to save
Khudiram. He appealed to the Calcutta High Court on behalf of Khudiram. The judge of the
High Court also under- stood Khudiram's nature. The fearless eyes and the determined face
of the boy filled him, too, with wonder. He confirmed the death sentence given by the
lower court. But he postponed the date of the execution from August 6, 1908 to August 19.
"Do you wish to say anything?" the judge asked.
Khudiram said, "Like the heroic Rajput women, I wish to die for the freedom of my
country. The thought of the gallows does not make me unhappy in the least. My only regret
is that Kingsford could not be punished for his crimes."
Even in prison, he was not at all worried. As death approached his face grew brighter. He
thought that the sooner he sacrificed his life, the sooner he could be born again and
fights for the freedom of his Motherland. This is not mere legend. Khudiram put on two
pounds in the jail! |
