Alastair McClure

In this intriguing discussion, Alastair McClure, a legal historian from the University of Hong Kong, delves into his book that investigates mercy and the complexities of criminal law in British India. He reveals how colonial discretion was a tool for regulating violence while reinforcing social hierarchies. The trial of Bahadur Shah Zafar exemplifies how mercy masked colonial weaknesses. McClure also explores nationalists like Tilak and Gandhi, showing how their rejection of mercy became a potent form of political resistance.

Alastair McClure, an Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong, delves into his book on the intertwining of mercy and violence in British India’s criminal law. He explains how colonial discretion was utilized as a tool of governance that managed social hierarchies. The discussion highlights significant events like the trial of Bahadur Shah II and nationalists like Tilak and Gandhi, who used the state's mercy to challenge colonial authority. McClure links these historical practices to contemporary legal systems, emphasizing their lasting impact on justice.