From 'Roses in December' by M. C. Chagla
On Tilak and Jinnah
Many years later my first visit to High Court was with the intention of catching a possible glimpse of Tilak. I had read in a newspaper that judgement was going to be delivered in an appeal which had been filed against the conviction of Tilak, and that the judgement would be given by Mr. Justice Bachelor and Mr. Justice Shah who had heard the appeal. The appeal on behalf of Tilak had been argued by Jinnah. I remember, I went to the court rather early, in order to find a seat in a particular row in which judgement was to be delivered. I sat in the third row and a little later, I found Tilak enter and take his seat in the second row. After a while, Jinnah came and sat in the first row reserved for counsel. Judgement was delivered and and the conviction to everyone's relief was set aside. Jinnah then turned round and warmly shook Tilak by the hand. I believe this was the first time that I had seen Jinnah. I might mention here that during my long association with him, I found that Jinnah always showed the highest respect and regard for Tilak. Even when he was in the process of changing his political stand and becoming more and more communal, I never remember his ever saying anything that was derogatory of Tilak. Two persons in public life for whom Jinnah showed the greatest respect were Gokhale and Tilak. He had hard and harsh things to say about Gandhiji, Nehru and others; but as far as Gokhale and Tilak were concerned, Jinnah had the most profound admiration and respect for them and for their views.
On Tilak and Jinnah
Many years later my first visit to High Court was with the intention of catching a possible glimpse of Tilak. I had read in a newspaper that judgement was going to be delivered in an appeal which had been filed against the conviction of Tilak, and that the judgement would be given by Mr. Justice Bachelor and Mr. Justice Shah who had heard the appeal. The appeal on behalf of Tilak had been argued by Jinnah. I remember, I went to the court rather early, in order to find a seat in a particular row in which judgement was to be delivered. I sat in the third row and a little later, I found Tilak enter and take his seat in the second row. After a while, Jinnah came and sat in the first row reserved for counsel. Judgement was delivered and and the conviction to everyone's relief was set aside. Jinnah then turned round and warmly shook Tilak by the hand. I believe this was the first time that I had seen Jinnah. I might mention here that during my long association with him, I found that Jinnah always showed the highest respect and regard for Tilak. Even when he was in the process of changing his political stand and becoming more and more communal, I never remember his ever saying anything that was derogatory of Tilak. Two persons in public life for whom Jinnah showed the greatest respect were Gokhale and Tilak. He had hard and harsh things to say about Gandhiji, Nehru and others; but as far as Gokhale and Tilak were concerned, Jinnah had the most profound admiration and respect for them and for their views.
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