U i-XXI-No. 3. Assembly Proceedings Official Report Bengal Legislative Assembly Second Session, 1946 The 12th, 13th, 14th^ 16th, 47th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th September, 1946 covimiwuiT or iiiicAL. GOVERNOtt OF BENGAL. Hi» Excellency Sir Febi.ehick John Bcbeows, o.c.i.b. MEMBERS OF THE COI NCIL OF MINISTERS. Department . Si^'De^Amer::^^ « "He'airrn.l L«c Self-Gotenunent. , Eam'uou Dep:'Cn^'*”ml oMlirbeSr^nt Land and Land Revenue. '^'‘%?Judiciu“and‘L™a*^ of Works and Buildings. (6) The Hon-hlo Mr. Anmt. GornaN, Minister in charge of the Depa ment of Civil Supplies. '^'‘i„“;ha!Je ?f"tl^“D%ttmen^«T ^nd of the iCrtmen of Irrigation and II atenvays. „ ,, 1 T^_ <<if4\isri)DiN Ahmki), Minister in charge of BENGAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY pal officers of the BENGAL LEGISLATl ASSEMBLY. Spxakeb. The Hon’ble Mr. Nrm i. Amin. Deputy Spbakee. TaFaeexl Ali, Esq., Advocate, Secubtaet. [. Au Ami.. Esq.. BAWUsm-aT-LAW. fnusr Asbistaht Sbceitaey. ttAMi Aif Esa-t E.tv :v THE BENGAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Offleiai R«^ ^ tM iMMtf Votunif LXXI<~lio. 3. Proceedings of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935. Tmk Assi>;mhly met in the Assembly House, (’alevitta, on Thursday, tbs *th Sei»temher, 194(>, at 4-dO p.in. Present: Mr. Si»eakt*r (the Hon’hle Mr, Nrari. Amin) in the ('hair, 8 Hon'ble inislers and 223 meml)er8. STARRED QUESTKWS (to which oral answers vrere given) Functions and finances of the Asansol Mine’s Board of Health. *20. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: (a) Will Uie Hon'ble Minister in large of tlie Dejiartnieut of TleuUh and ImkuI Solf-Hovcrnment be pleased state tile aiiir)unt of uionov collected, year by year, Hinee 1942, lor iinauo* g the Asansol Mine's Hoard of Health — (/) from the cess levied on the coal mine-owners; and (//) from tlie cess levied on the Royalty receivers? (6) Will the Ilon’hle Minister he pleased to state — (f) what are the functions of the Asansol Mine’s Boaul of Health; (ii) whether tliere is any provision in the Ae,t creating the Asansol Mine's Hoard (»f Health for the appointment of a representative of the miners in the said Board ; (ill) whether there is anv such representative in the present Board; if not, why not; and (ii*) wliot is the i>ercentage of official and nominated members aa com- pared with non-oincial members in the said Hoard? Mr. B. A. BAtlM (on Nhtlf of tN Hon’bit Mr. Moteammod All): (a) Amount of cess Amount of cess Yearn. levied on the levied on the coal mine-owners. Royalty receivers. Rs. Ils. 194M2 99,435 16,600 194243 1,01,007 14,925 194844 1,40,731 20,953 194445 1,62,6^ 26,058 194546 1,77,647 30,809 The fnnctio]i of the Aaaiiaol Mine’s Bomd ol Health is to nrovide r tM better control and sanitation of Hie mining settlements rtidictmii. In fMurtienlar the Board his to fHovide for the t QUESTIONS. [12th Sept., Il|t 9 red, boiled or other watef, for aanitation and conservancy, for housing^ OT rwidents and has to exercise, consistent with the objecte of the Bengral Mining Settlements Act, such other functions as are calculated to prevent the outbreak or spread of dangerous epidemic disease as the Local Government may by general or special order direct. (H) No. (til) No; because there is no provision for the purpose in the Bengal Mining Settlements Act, 1912, or in the rules thereunder. (tv) per cent. Mr. DEBENORA NATH SEN: Will the ITon'ble Minister be pleased ^ steps have actually been taken by the Asansol Miiie.s’ Board of Health for providing filtered, boiled or other water for sanitation and conservancy and for the housing of residents in this Mining Settlement? Mfa 8t A* SALIM: All possible steps have been taken by the Asansol Mines’ Board of Health regarding these matters, namely, sanitation, con- servancy, etc. DEBENORA NATH SEN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state since when is this Board functioning? Mf. S« A. SALIM: Since tbe passing of the Act in 1912. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Will the Ilon’ble Minister be pleased to state if it was formed then or subsequently? Mr. S. A. SALIM: Subsequently. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN. In which year? Mr. SPEAKER: Please put your que.stion in proper form. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN; Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased U> state when was tlus Board formed, and after its formation what amount of money has been spent for the betterment of the housing accommodation of the people ('omlng within this Mining Settlement? Mr. S. A. SALIM: 1 want notice. YiMd of paddy por aero in oortain subdivioions of Jaipaiguri distriot. Mr. KHAGENDRA NATH DAS GUPTA: Will the Hon’ble Minister lu charge of the Finance Department be pleased to state — (а) what is the actual average yield of paddy per acre in the Sadar and Alipur subdivisions respectively of Jalpaiguri district; (б) what is Uio average yield of paddy per acre in the Western Duars (Alipur Duur subdivi.sion and about half of Sadar subdivision) as calculated in the Mukherjee Settlement Report, 1932-34; and (c) what is tbe yield per acre fixed by the — (i) Agricultural Income-tax Department for Jalpaiguri distriot for assessment purpose, (ti) on what data this has been calculated or fixed, and (nt) at what rate. agricultural income-tax is being realised from the agrioultuiists of Jalpaiguri district? . TIM M0B*Wi Mr. MOHAMMED ALI. (a) The average yield per acre for Is 21 ma n n ds for the district of Jalpaiguri as a wnole diuing IS^ B.8. Nc separate figures of such yimd for the Sadar or the Alipur subdivision are readily uvaBaDle. s |l 946 .] questions. (b) Average yield per acre of aman paddy — Area. Dahia Sahari f —A — A-.— . Md. Sr. Md. Sr. (i) Ambari Falakata oo . . . 30 {it) Mainaguri Tahsil ... 24 24 17 12 {ni) Falakata Tahsil ... 21 18 14 16 {iv) Alipur Duar Tahsil ... 20 15 13 22 (r) Bhalka Tahsil ... 19 ;i2 11 ;i2 (<•) (0 21 luaunda of aman paddy. (ji) On the hasia of the normal yield adopted in the lleport of the Land Revenue ('onimiasion and subject to the final forecast of the Director of Agriculture for 1JMJM4, (Hi) As specified in the schedule to the Bengal Agricultural Income-tojc Act, 11)44 (vide section 8 of the Act). Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon’hle Minister he pleased to state the minimum yield in the nreas mentioned in answer ih) (I) (ii) (m) (tv) {r)Y Th« Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 am afraid 1 cannot give you the minimum or the maximum figures offhand. These are the average figures of the whole yeor. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Uon ble Minister be pleased to state whether in view of the fact that the agricultural income-tax is expected to be assessed on the actual in<x)me of the agriculturists, does he think it de.sirable to issue directions to the Agricultural Income Tax Othcers not to depend on the average yield, but to nnd out the actmil yield in the areas where assessment is made? Th« Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Yes, Sir. Not only do 1 consider it desirable, but I may state for your information that a cintular to that effect has already been issued by the Commissioner of Agricultural Income- Tax, to all Agricultural Inoome-Tax Officers saying that they should not depend on the average yield as reported by the Agricultural authorities as basis, or as found in the statistical report, but to go on the basis of the actual yield. 1 think this circular was issued on the 27th June this year. Mr. Ni8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the HooTde Minister be pleased to state if this circular will liave o retrospective effei^t in regard to the income-tax already assessed for the Bengali year 1350? Thi Hoii’M Mr. MDHAMMED ALI: I am afraid I cannot reply off- hand, as the implication of the circular, whether it will have o retrospective effect or not, is a matter of opinion, but I can say that the circular was issued on the 27th June this year, and all assessment pending on that date will be governed by that circular. Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to state whether the decision of Government to direct the Agricultural Income-Tax OflBcers to assess on the actual yield, will also be for Die benefit of all the assessees who have already been assessed before that circular was issued? ^ Mr. SPEAKER: Tlcat question has already been answered. Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: No, Sir. I QUESTIONS. [12th S*pt., Mr. SPEAKER: Your previous question was whether the circular will have a retrospective effect and whether it will be to the benefit of all the assessees for the year 1350. That question has been answered. You cannot put the same question over again. Ml*. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: This is a separate question. I have asM the IJoii’ble Minister this time to consider whether, in view of the decision taken by Government, namely, tliat actual yield will be the basis of assessment, they are going to extend the lienefit of this decision to those assessees who liave already been assessed before this circular was issued. Mr. SPEAKER: The que.stiun lias now l)een modified. It mav be answered. Th0 Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am afraid, I cannot reply off- hand, betause its implication has an effect on the revenue which Government have already collected. So, 1 am .sorry, 1 mnnol give an offhand reply. Allotment of epimfles to existing mills for their expansion. ^22. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: (a) Will the Hon'hle Minister in diarge of the Department of Coininerce, Labour and Industries l)e pleased to itate what is the quantity of new spindleage allocated In' the Government of India to Bengal? (5) If the quantity is not adequate tor the iummIs of Bengal, will the Kon'ble Minister be pleasinl to state what action Government have taken to lecure the nei^essary quota of spindleage for B(‘ngal ? (c) Will the llon’hle Minister la* jilcascd to state — (1) Government’s estimate of tin* nMinirenient of cloth tor Bengal .stating the Iwsis of calculation ; (7i) how many new textile mills huNe the Goserinnent recommended for establish men t in Bengal ; (ui) what are the nuiiios of the.se new mills and what (luantity of spindle- age has l)een allotted to eaeh of them; (iv) whii'h are the existing textile mills to which new spindleage has Iwen allotted; (r) wdiat is the quantity allotted to each of them; (W) what is the basis of this allotment : and (rtV) whether licenses for the importation ot textile machinery have Wen issued to those new mills which Govern inent have recommended for alhdmeiit of new sjdndleage: it not, wdiy not? MINISTER in oherge of the DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE, LABOUR and INDUSTRIES (the Hon’ble Mr. Shamsudilin Ahmed): {a) 325,000 spindles : both for the expansion of the existing (‘otton mills and the establishment of new mills. (/>) The matter has already Wen taken up with the Outral Government through ordinarv channel of corres|H)ndence and by j^rsonal contai t w ith the officers of that Government. (c)(i) 1,2^15 million yard.s annually for the Bengal (including Assam) Deficit Zone as calculated by the Post-War Planning ('ommittee (Textiles) set uj) by the Central Government on the basis of per capita requirement of 16*6 yards. Separate figures for Bengal are n(d available. (fi) to (r) A statement is plac4*d on the Library Table. (ci) Hecommendation was made with due regard to the immediate requirements of the eligible parties, allowing .scoim* for future expansion on the return of nonnal times when the price-level of machinery expected to is come down, preference being given to existing mills to reach economic units. (vu) License^ are Wing issued by the Central Government. T Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH OHAUDHURY: Will th« Hon’ble MiDi8t6r 1)6 pleased to state how nuiny of these spindles have been to the Hindus and how many to the Muslims—both Hen^rali and non-Bengali F Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE* The statement* Sir, is »<iid to have been E laced on the Library table. I have searched for it and it is not on the ibrary table. Mr* SPEAKER* It must be there. ILnwever, I will make an enquirv and let you know. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is it then held over, Sir.^ Mr, SPEAKER: No. >ou may put your question. Hut may I know in the meantime whether any member has seen such a statement on the Libmry table y Mr. JASIMUDDIN AHMED: Sir, 1 was in the Library, and I (H)uld not find any. Mr. SPEAKER: In that (“ase the question is hehl over. Lawy«r*Magi8tratei, *23. Mr. FAZLUL QADiR: Ui) Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge of the Home Deiwitinent Ih‘ pleased to state — (/) whether the attention of the (iovernmeut has Imhui drawn to page bl, paragraph of the Howland (.'ommit tee’s Hei)ort on the workings of the liawycr-Magistrates; (n) whether it is a fact that laiwyer-Magistrates aie cmpbi>ed exclusively for the tiiul of criminal cases; and (tn) whether the attention of the (loveinment has Wn draw'n to the editorial comments of the Cahmtta Weekly Notex apjiearing in its issue dated the 10th June, 1940, regarding the Lawyer- Magi.strates ? (b) If the answer to (o) is in the affirmative, will the lion’ble Ministei: be pleased to state what is the [sjsition and proH[)ect in service of the laiwyor- Magistrates recruited so farF (c) Does the Government intend to give effect to the provisions relating to promotion of l/uw ver-Magistrates as indicated hy the Howland (/omruitteo in its recommendations in paiagiaph dlf) apiiearing at jiage fFJ of the Report ? Mr. ABDUL KARIM (on behalf of tho Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Buhrawardy): (a) Yes. {h) and (c) The matter is under consideration. iRifirovement of bustee areas in Caloutta and its suburba. *24. Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERJEE: fn) Will the Hon’hle Minister in charge of the Local Self-Government Department lie pleased to afate whether it is u fact — (i) that the present condition of bmteei in Calcutta and its suburbs is horrible ; (ii) that the huHee$ are overcongested ; Hit) that the roads therein are very narrow, insufficient in number and very badly Imilt; (tr) that the lighting arrangement is quite inadequate; QUESTIONS. [12th Sept., (r) that, compared to the population, the number of latrines is very few and even those that are there are not properly cleansed ; and (vi) that the poor people in the hustees even do not get sufficient water to drink r (h) If the answer to {a) be in the affirmative, will the Hon^ble Minister be pleased to state what steps he proposes to take in the near future with a view to improve their condition ana make them fit for human beings to dwell? (c) Has the attention of the Hon’ble Minister been drawn to a speech delivered by Mr. I. Khan, Engineer. Calcutta Improvement Trust, on July 11, 1940, at the Baker Laboratory, Presidency College, in which he referred to the scheme of the Calcutta Improvement Trust for a long-term scdution of the bustee problem? (d) Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state — (i) what is this scheme; (u) when actual work as per scheme is likely to be started; and (til) when it is likely to be finished? The Hon’llie Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: (a)ii) I think everj' member of ibis House is well aware of the conditions under which people live in huxiees and in most cases the condition of the hustees is bad. (?/) Generally the density of population is veiy^ high. {in) In some cases mf'ans of access into a hustee is bad and in some cases non-existent. (it;) In most cases the lighting arrangement is inade(iuate. (t) In some cases tliere are insufficient latrines and in some cases the existing latrines are dirty and require repair. {vi) In Borne cases there is an inade<|uate water supply. (6) Steps are being taken under the Bengal Slum Improvement Act, 194(5, to improve the worst hustees in the city. (c) Yes. (d) {i) The (Calcutta Improvement Trust were re(iuested bv His Excellency Mr. (^asey t4> submit long-term proposals for tlie elimination of the hustees from Calcutta and the plans submitted by the Trust generally consisted of the making of satellite towns in the vicinity of the city for rehousing persons displaced by busters which will be demolished. (it) Government ore considering this and other schemes and may be in a position shortly to give a definite answer. Uii) It is not jMissible to make a forecast at this stage. The magnitude of the task can be gauged by the fact that nearly 10 lakhs people live in hustees in this city. Mr. SURESH CHANDRA BANERJEE: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state when the Calcutta Impnivement Trust submitted its proposals for the elimination of the hustees from Calcutta to His Excellency Mr. Casey ? Tha Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I am afraid I do not know and I do not know as well whether it was ever submitted or not. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Pending any decision on the bustee improvement scheme, will the Hon’ble Minister he pleased to state what steps the 0<ivernment are taking for the immediate improvement of the condition of the busteOvS? Th# Han’Mt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: We are taking immediate steps and I outlined our policy in this regard some time ago. It is this. We 1946.] QUESTIONS. 7 have allotted under our Post-War Eeoonatruciion Scheme a eum of Rs. 16 lakhs for the improvement of the condition of the people living in bustees; not only for the improvement of existing bustees but also for buildings^ tenements and flats for the purpose of bustee dwellers. We have taken up the matter in right earnest and we have propt)8al8 for ttcquiriug certain lands 80 that some time towards the end of this year or beginning of next year we may take up the building scheme. For the "present we tdiall take up two schemes ond we shall have these two schemes working simultaneously. Members are also aware that we propose setting up a Mousing Hoard. As soon as it is constituted, all matters relating to the housing of bustee dwellers and housing of middle class families will be made over to the Housing Board. If will be a non-official lH>dy. It will have representatives of experts and it wdll have Government otficials. Ah jHK)n as tnot Board is constituted, the matter will be made over to it. But in order not to allow grass to grow over our feet, we are not waiting for the tonstitution of the Board. We have taken up the matter in hand and before the financial year closes, our scheme will be rejidy for operation. Mr. MUHAMMAD RAFIQUE: Is the lioiride Minister aware that nothing can he done unless the Calcutta Municipal Act, especially tlM)se portions which deal with the im(>r(iveiueiit of bustees, is amended? The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: So far as the Bengal Slum Improvement Act is concerned 1 know' that the Act is defective and there is a lacuna in the Act. Under the provisions of that Ai’.t we (an ask the owners of bustees to make improvement in bustees, but there is no provision in the A(‘t to ensure that the benefits of such improvement will go to the dwellers of bustees. If tlie binstees are improved, it is (piite open to the owners to dehouso or evict the present tenants and give the benefit of the improvement to others, AVe are thinking wheiiier it w'ould he advisable to amend or revise the existing Bengal Slum Improvement Act or to have a different legislation in order to set up a Housing Board. It is under the examination of Government. It may he that instead of an amending Act we shall come up with a proposal for housing bjgislation which may be of a comprehensive nature. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: AVill the Hon ble Minister be pleased to state w'hether he is aware that during the Calcutta riots the bustee people suffered most and that in many cases the entire bustees were burnt down? What steps are being taken to house the refugee bustee people? The Hofl'blo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am aware of the (condition of the bustee people described by the honourable member. The matter has also been taken up. There are certain places which were cx^mpletely gutted and they are now vacant plots of land. We liave proposals to ac(]uire some of them so that we can build on them. We have propowds to put up tem- porary structures on the vacant lands so that we can house people who have become homeless. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble Minister be pleased to state whether he is aware that the landlords took the advantage of the recent riots to oust the bustee people by a wholesale murder of those people? Mr. BREAKER: That is a matter of opinion. Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Does the Mon’ble Minister consider the estimate of Its. 15 lakhs as quite meagre and inadequate? The H0ii*bl« Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I admit that a sum ol Ha. 15 kkhs is inadequate for this purpose but this is given only as an initial s QUESTIONS. [12th Sept., measure. We have provided fifteen lakhs for this year and we hope to provide something more and a still more substantial amount in the next year's budget. Mr. BIMAl. COMAR CHOSE: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to state what is the estimate of cx)st of the long-term proposals submitted by the Calcutta Improvement Trust? The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: There are lots of proposals which have been submitted. Some of them relate to the improvement of existing buflt^H. There is a scheme for the improvement of the Singhibagan bustees costing ten lakhs of rupees. The Trust has asked for a subsidy and we liave sanctioned six liikhs, or, to he more precise, Hs. 5,90,000 to the Calcutta Improvement Tnist for the improvement of that bustee. They have submit- ted from time to time several schemes and one of the schemes is a satellite town near the city that runs into crores, I do not know to which p^rriicular scheme the honourable member has referred. Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: Is the IJon’ble Minister aware of the fact that His Kxcellency Mr. It. (1. {’asey, the then Governor of Bengal, gave an assurance to the people of (kdciitta that ever\ thing was going to be set right within six months, and if that was not done, they would have the right to enquire from the Government as b> what hid been done? Will tlie Hon’ble Minister be pleased to .say as to what has happened t-f» that assurance? Th0 Hon'blt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I do not know whether His Excellency Mr. Casey gave any such assurani'e, viz., tliat things will be put right within a period of six months, but I tnay tell the honourable member that after Mr. (’asey’s attention was drawn to the horrible (ondition of tin* bustees, he did take pjirticular interest in the matter and as a result of that, we have the Bengal Slum Improvement Act which was piisscd, I think, during the section 9d regime. A Bill was prepared in advance when the last Ministry was in office, but it could not be put through the liCgislature. So, the Governor under special jHiwers enacted this legislation and Mr. Casey left cerUiin notes and efforts are being made to implement the assurance which was given by Mr. Casey. Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: Has an> other improvement been made with the exception of the Slum Clearance Bill acconling to the assurance of the then Governor? Tbf Hon’bl0 Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: AVbat other assuram-e does the honourable member refer to? Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: Has any other effort been made to improve the bustees with the exception that >oii have pre|>ared a Bill? Th« Hon’bit Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I do not know whether the luuiourable memlier was juiving any attention to what I said earlier. I liave outlined our policy and outlined some of our schemes which we have taken up and the.se will certainly go towards the improvement *of the condition of the bustees, Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: What I wanted particularly to know' from the Hon’lde Minister is whether with the exception of publishing a Bill, the bustees have at all been actually improved, though after looking at the bustees the Governor of Bengal was borrified. I want to know w hether the borrifieation stB\ exists or wnat actual impwnements have been made in tbe bustees. That is wbat I would like to know. Tbi Hon’blt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I may tell the honourable member at the outset that I am not very muoh concern^ with whether the previous QUESTIONS. im] % Governor g^ve an assurance or not. We ourselves feel that there is uecea* aitv for the improvement of bustees and we have taken the matter up in right earnest. We have got our scheme. We not only want to take it up ourselves but we propose to constitute a Board which will take up tlw responsibility for impioving the existing bustees and for provision of better facilities for housing of the poor and middle class families. Mr. DEBI PR08AD KHAITAN: Have Government been pleased to publish the report of the ('alcutta Improvement Trust F If they have not yet done it, are they tH)nsidering the ilesirahility of publishing this scheme to enable the public to express their opinion almut the efficiency or other merits and demerits of the sidieme prejnired bv the Calcutta Improvement Trust? The HOfl’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Mr. Khnitan is a big capitalist and industrialist. lie knows that it is not jM)sslhle to give details or other particulars of the schemes which are under examinatinn l>y Government. It will appear too obvious why 1 cauiu»t ilivulge our scheme or state parti- culars. We propose to start our building oi)enitions. We do not want speculation in laml prices or value of land in certain arwis to ao up. These reiisoiKs will he upiiarcut to Mr. Khaitan and we canimt publish them in advance. Mr. DEBI PR08AD KHAITAN: We did not expect that the Hon’hle Minister would suddenly rusli into speculation. AVlnit I want Iki know is whether a general idea of the scheme of the Calcutta Improvement Trust has been puhlished or not, otherwise how is it jxissihle for the public to express uu opinion as to what should Imj done and wluit should not he done. It is not a question of speculation in hind or hind values. Mr. 8PEAKER: 1 th ink that (piestion luis already been answered hec4iuse the lloirhle Minister has S4ii<l that a Board is going tx) he set up and the Boiird will consi<ler these matters and it the Board think of publishing the scheme, 1 think they will do tluit. Mr, DEBI PR08AD KHAITAN: What you have been plfMised to state has not been stated hv the llou’hle Minister tlwit the llousiiig Board will have these matters under considemtioii. The Hon’ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: I said that all matters will ixmie up before the Housing Board. Mr, BIMAL COMAR CH08E: With relerence to answer (r/)(//), will the Hou’hle Miiii.ster he pleosed to state whether the “other schemes’' that he refers therein have been prepared by the department c-onfH*rned only or in consultation with experts called in from outside? Tht Hoil’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Other experts have not yet been callwl in. We have received help from the Calcutta Improvement Trust and also from the Calcutta Corfsiratioii and we have not yet called in any experts. We may perhap.s invite experts from outside the province or out- side this (suintry, if necessary. Mr, BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: In view of the an.swer given, will the Hoirble Mini.ster be pleased to state if he will cxjusider the desirability of consulting the liegislature before putting this .scheme into actual operatw>n ? The HOfl’bto Mr, MOHAMMED ALIf No, Sir. We i^nmt plarx» all our 'administrative propoiwils before the liegislature. The liegislntiire is not an administrative lx)dy. The Ministry enjoys the confidence of the liegis- lature. At least as long as it is in office, it enjoys the oonfttlence o! the liegislature. Therefore any action of the Ministry is to \>e assumed to have the approval of the House. In matters of administrative details, we cannot oome up to the Legislature for approval and that will be apparent to fbe honourable member. 10 QUESTIONS. The Bengal Fire Benrioe at Feni. [12th Sept*, *25. Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: (a) Is the Hon’ble Minister in charge of the Local Self-Government Department aware — (i) that Feni was the most heavily bombed town in Bengal, and the personnel of Feni Fire Service served the Government for more than three years during emergencies of utmost gravity fighting fire at times of severe bombing and occasional accidents; (ii) that Feni Fire Semce is now going to be disbanded though Fire Services of Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura and other places are going to be retained; and (m) that Feni is a junction station, there is a college at Feni, and it has greater strategic importance than many towns w'ith fire stations? (h) If the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, does the Hon’ble Minister f ropose to reconsider the order of disbandment of Feni Fire Service and make eni fire station a i)ermanent one? (c) If it is not possible to make the Feni fire station a permanent one is the Hon’ble Minister considering the desirability of absorbing the Feni Fire Service x>er8onnel in some other fire station? Mr. 8. A. SALIM (on behalf of the Hon*ble Mr. Mohammed AH): ia)(i) Yes; in proportion to its size. The good services of Feni Fire Brigade are fully recognised by Government. (m) Yes, but no fire station is laung retained at Akhaura. (Hi) Feni i.s a railway junction and there is a college there. Its strategic importance is a mutter of oj)inion. (h) Feni not being a municipality is not irududed in the scheme for a permanent Provincial Fire Service. (r) Orders to this effect have already Wn issued. Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to sttite how many of the Feni Fire Brigade personnel liave been absorbe<l in other fire-serving stations? Mr. 8. A. SALIM: I want notice. Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state whether there is any proposal to transfer any fire brigade station to Chauinohani? Mr. 8. A. SALIM: No such proposal is at present with the Government. Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleiised to state how many fire brigade stations of the Chittagong Division are going to be retained ? Mr. I. A. SALIM: I want notice. Ra p rasantation by amployaaa of Covammant Ration Storoa for inoraaaa of |My- *28. (Shoet Notice.) Mr. NI8HITHANATH KUNDU: (a) Will the Hon’me Minister in charge of the Department of Uivil Supplies be pleased to state whethei^the coolies, the darwans and the clerks of the Government Ration Stores have written to the Government demanding inter alia for increment in their pay and leave provisions? (b) If the reply to (a) is in the ajfinnative, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleas^ to state — {%) what answer has been given to them ; and (tt) if no answer has been given, the reasons thereof? QUESTIONS. 11 .ld46.] (c) Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state what steps the Govern- tnent propose to take for averting the serious conseiiueuees of the workers of the Government Ration Stores taking recourse to strike? Mr. E8KANDER ALI KHAN (on behalf of the Hon*ble Mr. Abdyl Gofran): («) Yes. A letter, dated 22nd June, 1940, addressed to the C5ontroller of Rationing by the Secretary, Government Stores Workers* Union, was received on the 24th June, 1940. (b) (t) No reply was given. (ii) Ihe reason for not replying to the letter was that the union has not been* recognised by the Government yet. The letter was not, however, ignored. (c) On careful (consideration Government Imve sanctioned an increase of R8.4 in the monthly pay of coolies and Rn. 2 in the monthly pay of darwans of Government Stores, There are no clerks attached to Governnietit Stores; there are managers and salesmen of two grades. The question ot the improvement of their pay and proHi>eCts is under the exuininution of the Directorate of Rationing. Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Will the Ilon'hle Minister be pleased to state if he is aware that during the riots many ration stores have been looted and the darwans did not function effectively? Mr. ESKANDAR ALI KHAN: Yes, I am aware of the fact that some of the ilarwans were aet\uilly murdered and they are being replaced by fresh appointments. Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: In view of the answer just given, will the Ilon’ble Minister be plwised to sUile if ho will consider the desirability of getting really strong men and loyal men who stand by their posts in times of danger by giving them sutficieiit pay? Mr. HAM I DU DD IN AHMED: Is the question of the honourable member relevant? Mr. 8PEAKER: Mr. Sinha does not press it. Mr. KHAGENDRA NATH DA8 GUPTA: Will ihe liun ble Minister be pleased to state it Government have also tconsidered the (piestion of leave provisions, as demanded by the workers? Mr. E8KANDAR ALI KHAN: That question is receiving the con- sideration of Government. Regarding Eubdivisional Controllar of Civil Cuppliot at Darlaoliiig. *27. Mr. D. 8. GURUNG: Will the lIon*ble Minister in charge of the Department of Uivil Supplies be pleased to state — (а) how long the present Subdivisional (Controller of Givil Supplies ha« been at Darjeeling Sadar bolding the post of Subdivisional Con- troller of CHvil Supplies; (б) who was his predecessor; ‘ (c) whetiier it is a fact that some months back be was transferred to some other district; (d) whether the transfer order was subsequently cancelled; (e) the reason for cancellation of the transfer order; and if) whether the Eon*ble Minister is considering the desirability of his immediate transfer from the district? IS QUESTIONS. [12th Sef^, Mr. ISKANDER ALI KHAN (M bMialf of tho Hofi’blo Mr. Abdul Oofim): {a) On« year and four months. (6) There was no Subdivisional Controller of Civil Supplies at Darjeeling before the present officer was appointed to that post. (o) Yes in 1946. (d) Ye». (e) Bei'uuse the district to which he was posted was his home district. (/) Yes, it is receiving my attention. RecruituiMit of Lawyer-Magistratae from different communities. ^28. Mr. AULAD H08SAIN KHAN: (a) Will the lIonTde Minister in charge of the Chief Minister’s ( Kstabllslnnent ) J)e])artnient be pleased to lay on the Table a stiitement showing the number of Lawyer-Magistrates apjM)iiited uj) to the .‘list May, IJMO, showing separately the list of — (?) Hindus, (ii) Muslims; and {Hi) Scheduled ('aste ineiimbent'^y {b) Will the lloii’ble Minister be pleaseil to stale whether the Communal Ratio Rules have In'en stri< tly adhered to in the mutter of recruitment of these Magistrates? (c) If not, will the llon’ble Minister be please4l to state the reu.sons therefor? {(1) Will the Hon’ble Minist«T be jdeased tf> stnt«* whether (joveriiment { iropose to absorb them in the i>ermunent ca(ln> as recommended by the lowlands (’ommitiee? Mr. ABDUL KARIM (on bofialf of tho Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Suhrawordy): {a) The number of liUwyer-Magistrates in service on the ‘list May, 194f>, was 102: made up as under — (0 Hindus — 47. (li) Muslims -44. {Hi) vSeheduled Castes 11. {b) and (c) The (Vimmunal Ratio Rules have apmrently not lieen observed on the ground that the re<juired niimlH*r Muslim and Seheiluled Caste candidates were not available. Steps have been taken rectify the deficiency and the Public Service Comini-ssion have been asked to sele(‘t the reciuisite number of Muslim and Sche<luled Caste candidates for the purpose. (f/) The Rowlands Committee do not apjanir to Imve made any such recommendation. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state if he is aware that there was a circular from Governnwnt that Government admitted that the reply received from the Secretariat sometime ago to the effect that Muslim officers are not available is not true? Mr. ABDUL KARIM: No; I am not aware of that. Mr. AULAD HOBBAIN KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state whether the required^umber of candidates appeared before the Public Service Commission? What is the criterioii for judging whether the candidates are qualified? Mr. ABDUL KARIM: The requisite number of candidates were not available. Mr. MIR2A ABDUL HARIZ: Will tbe Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state what is the number of candidates who appeared at the interview? \m.] QUESTIONS. 18 Mr. ABDUL KARIM: 1 want notice. Mr. MUHAMMAD I8RAIL: Wilt the Ilou'ble Mininter be pleaded to state whether requisite iiuml>er of candidates from the Muslim oommutiiiy with requisite qualifications appeared Viefori' the Public Service Commission f Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I have nothin^r to add. AlItgMl Cortminent dirtction for oomiiitatloffi by Diitriot Ofllolals vritb looil Muslim Leagus Saerotariaa. *29. Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANDARIt Will the IWMe the Chief Minister in charge of the (Miief Minister's ttleiieral Administration) Deiwri- ment be |deased to state — (a) whether his attention has Wen drawn to the rejK»rt which a^>|K»ared in a section of the jiress some time ago to the effect that a directive had been issued to the Ihstiict and SuIkU visional Officers to consult the loeal Muslim Leatrnc Secretaries or other ofKce-Wurers of the Muslim League on all important (piestions ; (b) whether the information is correct; and (c) whether any cin ular or instiuctionfi written or verbal, e<»nfidentinl or open, emanated from an> cpiarter connected with the Govermnent to this or the similar effect P Mr. ABDUL KARIM (on bohalf of the Hon’blo Mr. H. 9. Suhrawardy): (u) Yes. ib) and (r) No. Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANDARl! Will the llon'ble Minister be pleased to .sUite why in view of the seriousness 4d‘ the allegatioiiM (smtained in those reports (Government did not issue any press-noie denying the correct- ness of the report at tlmt timeP Mr. ABDUL KARIM: No. Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANDARl; WhyP What are the reasons? Mr. ABDUL KARIM: Government cannot Like notice of any unfounded canards that are published in newspapers. Commufial ratio in poets of Scrporintendente of Collootoratai. *30. Mr. ABOU8 8ABUR KHAN: ia) Will the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the Dejiaitment of Land and Lund lie venue W pleased to at ate — (i) how many Superinteiidpiits of different Collectoratea are in office at the present moment; (iV) how many of them are Muslim; and {tii) whether the communal ratio baa Wen maintained in these appointments? {b) If the reply to {a)iin) is in the negati\e, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state — (t) what immediate step the Glovernment propose to take to remove the disparity and to maintain the ratio; and (tt) whether it is desirable to appoilit Muslims only in all future vacancies till the ratio has b^n attained? Tho Hon’blo Mr. BAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HMAINfi (o) (i) Twenty- seven. (ft) Three. (tit) and (6) No. Cemnmnai Ratio Rules do not apply m there posts are filled ^ promotion from the npper division. 14 QUESTIONS. [12th Sept., Mr. ABDUi SABUR KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state if any general principle or policy is enunciated in matters of promotion or it is a matter of whim of any particular officer? Tlif Hon*bit Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUpDIN H08AIN: It is the superior officers who select after carefully considering the competency of the officers concerned. Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state whether it is the whim or biased consideration which has reduced the requisite number of Muslims, so that out of 27 districts there have been only three Muslim Superintendents of Collectorates ? The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: No bias can be attributed to any higher officer like tliat. Mr. MUHAMMAD i8RAIL: Will the Hon’ble Minister be nleased to state whether in view of the strong dispjirity in the communal ratio as Imtween 27 Hindus and *1 Muslims Government consider it desirable that some atteinpt.s should be made to fill up the posts by direct promotion just to make up the leeway that exists in the service? Tht Hon’bl« Mr. 8AIYED MUAUAMUDDIN H08AIN: Government will consider the suggestion, Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state what in his opinion are the reasons of this dis- parity ? The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: It is a ques- tion of opinion, but I think these (Vmimunal Hatio Rules were promulgated only in 1939 and before that there were no Gommunul Ratio Rules and the number of Muslim officers W'ere very few. Those who were promoted to the grade of Superintendent were verv senior officers. The number of Muslim officers being few, very few of them could <x)rne up for promotion to the superior grade. Abolition of Bitnfwan Local Boards. *31. Mr. JADABENDRA NATH PANJA: (a) Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge of the ])e|wirtinent of Local Self-Government lie pleased to state whether it is a fact that the District Board of Burdwan recommended in a resolution, dated the 2Slh duly, 1915, tluit the Lo<al Boards of Burdwan be alKdished? (6) If the answer to {a) is in the affinnative, will the Hon’ble Minister lie pleased to state — (t) whether the Government have given effect to the resolution ; and (iV) if not, the reasons thereof? Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM (on behalf of the Hon'ble Mr. Mohainmed AM): (a) Yes. (b) (i) No. (ii) Consideration of the question of abolition of Local Boards of Burdwan has been postponed, as representations have been received that the interests of the Asansol subdivision will suffer if the Asansol Local Board is abolished. Mr. ilADABENDRA NATH PANdA: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state if there isliny reason why the local boards were not abolished in spite of the District Board^s resolution to the oontrary? Mr. 8. A. 8 ALIM: As a matter of fact the Chairman of the District Board recommended that the Asansol Local Board cannot be abolished as there ore special circumstances requiring the retention of the Asansol Local Board. 1946.] QUESTIONS. 16 » Mr. 6 ADAiENDRA NATH RANMs Will tbe Hon bk Miiiiikr be >lea»ed to etate how the Asslu^o] subdivision will suffer if the Asaneol Local loa^ is abolished P Mr. t. A. tALIM: Aaan^d Loool Ihuinl should not l>e alM>lished beoouee he Asansol subdivisiou c^ontributen a iimjor ^>ortion of the oess income of the listrict Ikmrd. Aiwinsol Hoard is a seini-independeut Innly ^ttin>f he whole of the rotid cess of the subdivision and it*i« charged with the iiaintenauce and upkeep of roads and institutions of the local Aaansol oreas. t is entrusted with the work of water-supply including sinking of wells and ts maintenaine within the vsubdivision. ncidifioe of malaria, tuborouiosia, leprosy and smallpox In Aaanool Mining area. *32. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: (a) Will the Hoirble Minister in barge of the lK‘partiucnt of Ilcullh and Local Self-dovenimeni l>e pleased f) state — (i) whether any suivey has Ikhui lairitnl on, on l)ehalf of the Asansol Mines liuard of Health, to ascertain the incidence of malaria, tulwrculosis, leprosy and smallpox among the colliery population; and (It) if so, what are the results of that survey P (h) Will the Hon’ble Minister Ik* pleased !<» lay on the Table the compara- ive figures for the last five >eai> eJuling in ltM5-4(> of the incidence of aalaria, tuherculosif,. Ie|>rosy and smallpox among the colliery population nth mortality figures therefrom P (r) Will the llon’ble Minister lie pleioeMl to state w'hat stejis the Oovem- lent profMwe to take to comlmt the increasing ]>Tevalenec of the above* aentioned diseases among the eollier>’ ]K>|mlation ? Thn Hon’INo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: (oK/i Survey has l>een carried out n behalf of the Asosol Mines Hoard of Heultit to astterlain the incidence of lalaria, tuljereulosis and leprosy. But the survey is not associated with mallpox. It is obligator^' on (he f>art of the Colliery authorities to notify ases of i«naII|Jox, when they occur. («> 1. — \falarifi Survey/ tn CoUtenes {VJ44). Sn.KBN IlVDEX. Per cent. Maximum .. 97 Minimum Endrmic Index. .. 13*8 Maximum ... 88*8 Minimum GaMKTOCYTK R.ITB. 32*0 Maxitnum .. 78*6 Minimum .. 26 ^ N,B.^Th» maximuia and the mim i m na r^reeeftt the extremea of tr»ria* ion in the collieries surveyed. 2 . . 16 yFESTIONS. [12th Skpt., II. — Ttiherculosii Surrey {Sample Survey carried out in 1938). (i) Montaux Test — Positive. 1 in 1,000 1 in 100 per cent, per cent. Retired Miners 64*7 72-9 Miners 39*6 76 Underground workers 400 Surface workers 35 3 (ii) Clinical Examination — Positive. Per cent. Miners (883) . . .. 24-9 Retired Miners (289) ... 38-0 III. — Lvpro,<ij S u r vey ( 1943 ) . NumWr of collieries surveyed ... 138 Population examined ... 05.752 Numl)er <»f leprosy c-ase.s 526 Infectious 86 Non-infectious ... 440 Percentage of infection ... ... 0*79 (5) A statement is laid on the Table. (c) Government proiM»se to introduce a drive for vaccination as an anti- smallpox measure and take such anti-malaria measures as may be necessary in consultation with the Asausol Mines Board of Health. With regard to inhercnlosis and leprosy no sjjecial measures are called for in this area beyond what are being taken by the Mines Board of Health. Statement referred to iu reply to ehiuse (h) of starred question No, 32. InCIDRNCB of AJJD MOUTAUTY from malaria, Tl IlKRri losis, lkprost ajtd SMALLPOX AMON(} THR COUJERY POrCLATION (1941-46). Tuberculosiit. BmftJlpox. Year. Caeee. l>eathft. Caaee. Deathe. Cases. Deaths. Oases. Deaths. 1941 23,732 104 36 10 ^ * 43 3 1942 . . 28.169 97 29 8 8 lie 7 IMS 37.468 227 58 19 3 1 29 1944 49.562 206 43 11 3 14 1 1945 . • 39.290 96 30 17 2 1 262 15 Mr. DCBiNORA NATH SEN: Will th« Hon’ble Minister be pleased to •tate what portion of the money collected by the Asansol Mines Board of fleoia is spent actually for combating these diseases? TN HmPM# Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am afiuid I W to ask lor mtfee. 1 have not got the budget estimate before me. m.] Pl^of QIESTIONS. n OMiMNifNlir^Mnv^^ of BiMliarav Tilti iwl HitfiitfihiMr A. Q. HoipHals in Doom ilitlnot *33« Mfi DHAHANJOY ROY: Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge »f the Deimrtnieiit of Health (Medical) l»e pleuHecI to state wliether it ia a iict — (O that the conipoiinder-rMm-cleiks t»f Itulciliaru, Tilli and Mahadebpur A. 0. Hospitals uud(‘r Mauikg-uiij sulnlivision in Dacca distrioi were appointed l>v Snbdivisional Dtticer, Muuikgunj, which were duly approved l>v the (’i\il Sur^oMtn. Ihu-ea. on ii monthly jrtiy of Rs.Jk) plus usual dt'arness aliowancT on March, 1944, on tha strenjrth of (Toverniuent Order Nt>. oHi>9A.U.lV. dated the Idth Novenil)er, llMd, and that tht^y were irettiiitf the said pay of He. 35 with the usual tlc^arnes.H alhovaiue till April, ItMti; and (/i) that the (’ivil Surgeon of Dacca by his Memo. No. v5ti()(l )A.(s.Il.. dated the loth June, IfMb, recoinincuided that being unc|ualifiea compounder-t //wi-eJerks llie\ are c-ntitlcMl to a monthly pay of JU/Jo with etVect fnuu the* date of their appcdntiueut and that all the uniuunt drawn in excess (which is alMUit Us. 300) must Ih> refunded in cuie instalment on or Indore 31st March, UM7 (6) If the answer to (//) is in the aflirmative, will the llcni’ble Minister be pleased to considei tl»e de>irability of — (/) allowing them the original |>ay with their usual dc?urneHs allowance; and (II ) of cancelling the order of refund of the niomn drawn in excess 1* Mr. 8. A. SALIM (on behalf of the Hon’blo Mr. Mohammed Ali)t (o) A representation from certoiii cc)m{>ounders making the allegations h«a been received by (ion eminent . (//) The matter is under consideration of (loveminent. Mr. DHANAMJOY ROYS With reference to aosw'er (h), will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased 0> state how' long it will take to come to a decision Y Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM: Go vernment decision will be communicated very ehortly. Condition of ombankmonts on Mourakkhi and Hingta rivars in Birhtium diatriot. ^4. Mr. NISHAPATI MAJHI; AVill the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the Deiiertmeiit of Irrigation lie pleased to state — (t) as to the urcsent state of repair or disrejmir of the embonkmenit on the Mourakkhi (Dwarka, B. ) and Hingla rivers in the Birbhum district; (it) whether any villages have been affecte<l by recurring floods so far; and (til) what steps, if any, have the Government taken or contemplate to take in regard to villages along these embankments if they have already Keen affeeded by floods? MINI8TER in charge of tho IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT (iho Hon'blt Mr. Abyl Paial Muhamnuul Ahdur Rahman); (i) These are private embank* mente maintained by the interested persons, and the Department of Irrigation and Waterways have nothing to do with them. (ii) During very high floods villages near the embankments are affected. (iit) The constmetion of an embankment along the river Hin^ between the villagee JunMpur and Yararo will be taken up soon after uia rains. QCESTIOffS. [12th Skpt., U Invcgti^tion has also l)e*^n taken up for the canstruction of a dam on the River Mor at Messanjore for flood control and other purposes. Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Is the Hon hie Minister aware that due to recent floods in the rivers in the district of Birbhum, people auffered enorroously both in life and property? The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN: Yes, I am aware of it. UNSTARRED QUESTIONS (anawert to which were laid on the table) Activities of police ofHoers of Betiaghata polioe^tation, Khidmu Bt Mr. RUP NARAYAN ROY: («) Will tin* Hon’ble Mini.ster in charge of the Home Dcpartimmt l>e please<l to .state if it is a fact that the police officers of Betiaghata imlice-statinn, district Khulna, aie threatening the kisans with repiessive measures if the kisans would support the Knshak Samitifi there? (b) If so, does he |»rojM)se to instruct the Di.striet Magistrate of Khulna to investigate into the matter and submit a rejmrt to the Minister in charge of the Home l)e|>artmeut? MINISTER in charge cf the HOME DEPARTMENT (the Hcn’blc Mr. H. 8. Suhrawardy) : (a) No. (h) Does not arise. Grievances of the All-Bengal Muslim Contracters’ Aseooiatien. 8. Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: ia) Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge of the D«|xirtiiieiii of Building and Works be pleaeed to state whether the Government have received any memorandum of grievani’cs from the All-Bengal Muslim Contractors’ Association? (b) If so, wall the Hon ’hie Minister he plea.sed to state — (i) what are the main grievances set forth therein; (it) on what date the memorandum at (a) was submitted; and (ill) what action Government have since taken to remedy the grievanceef MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of WORKS and BUILD- INGS (the Hon'ble Mr. Jogendra Nath Mandal); (a) Yes. (6) (i) The memorandum asked for the f(dlowing: — (1) Ol>servance of communal parity in the enlistment of contractors. (2) Gheervnnre of communal |mrity in the distribution of wolfa in resj)ect of value, (3) Abolition of earnest money. (4) Reduction of security deposits. (ti) 9th March, 1946. (Hi) The officers Lave been directed to observe oarefoUy the pdiiioi|iIe of communal ]>arity in* the enlistment of contractors of all classes. The oases el Muslim contractors are being treated sympathetically lor jporpm of enlistment. The same principle has been enjoined in the dismbotton of works which are given out to contractor without calling for tenders. As regards eamaet money and security deposits, the orders have been revised to reduce their amoonts. Eenieei nmoey can also be deposttod now iu O.F. notes or Bank eeouritiee* 1ft BO QUESTIONS. Mr. A>U TAIYAB MAZHAAUL HAQUEl Will tli« Hon U# Hiniator pleaie<i to stato wliat is tli^ amount of th« aarnoat money now fixed P Tht Hofl’lllt Mr. ilOCENDRA NATH MANDA1.S The amount required be deposited has been fixed at 5 |>er cent, of the roufth estimate of the project. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABtBULLAH CHAUDHURYj Will the Hon hie unister be pleased to state the peneiita^e of MuHliwi. iMiste Hindu and cheduled Caste contractors in this department P The Hon’ble Mr. dOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: No porcentajre won sed or has been fixed yet for the Stheduled ('uste contractors but a per^ entajre, i.e., oO per cent, o! the total nuinhei, was fixed from Muslim Contractors. Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUl HAQUE: Will the Hon ble Minister be pleased to state alietlier the direction that has been jfiven to officers for the maintenance of (Hunmuiwil ratio will have any retnispective effect Tti« Hon’ble Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: (ommimal ratio pot to he oh.nerved in the mattei of enlistment of tontnrctors ninl distribution of works. In the enli.stment oi contractors no reirosp^'ctive effect can be given. So far as distribution of work is wncerned there also no retrospective effect can he given hetjause the tsmiimmal mtio was fixed longj ago and subsecpient fixation of the cominunal ratio should be obseiTed. Therefore, no question of retrospective effect in giving contracts can arise. X Mr. AHMED ALI MRIDHA: Will the llon’ble Minister be pleased to state if there is an\ ina( hiner\ to ascertain whether the rules are observed by the officers concerned and it so, what is that machinery and bow information come to them? The Hon*ble Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: Directions w'ere given to the Superintending Engineers of all circles and in the matter of dis- tribution of works whic h are exec uted not on calling of tender Irnsis com- mtmal ratio could he observed. In wane circles, say the Eastern Circle so far as my information goes Mu.slims got their recpiisite cjuota but in Western and Central Circdes Muslims have not got their qmita./ It is very difficult to give any definite directions to the Superintending Engineers of all (Jirclei to observe this communal cjuota because in Ecistern (bnle the number of Muslim contractors is lar^e and many of the works are executed by the Muslim contractors, but in the Western Bengal the number of Muslim contractors is very .small and much of the works is excHuted by Hindu oontmctors but wdiot (lovernment is anxious to see is tliat on average 50 per cent, of the total works is given to the Muslim controctors. Mr, MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will tbc llon'ble Minister be pleased to state if he is aware thiit Muslim 4 )ontrac‘tors from Easieni Bengal are agreeable to cxjine to Western Bengal and work there P Tbt HlNi*blt Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANSAL: The numlier of such willing contractors is very small and 1 think there are very few who era prapgred to come. If. liowever, anybcxly desires to undertake any work in Western Bengal, surely Government is prepared to enlist them in Western Circle as well. ^ Mr.' NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon^le Minister be pleased to state what is the policy ami objei t l>ehiiid the system of taking earnest and security money P Tbe Hon’bM Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL. i In order to avoid lenders from^ uawtUing er incompeieiit contractoii who are not )n earnwt to execute work. Only those contractors who are earnest to execute tat ^ 20 NO-CONFIDENCE MOTIONS. [12th Sept., work Afo allowed to submit tenders. Tbewlore, the main principle behind it is to stop those persons who are not really fide contractors and who are not really in a position to execute works, ^ Mr. NItHITHA NATH KUNDUs Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to state whether by revision of the order for reduction of the earnest money and security deposit the policy will in any way be affected Tba Hon’bla Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: I do not think so. It is a questioji of prcentage only. Formerly the earnest money was fixed at 10 per cent., ana the security deposit at 15 per ^nt. Now the earnest money is fixed at 5 per cent, an^he security deposit at 10 per cent. The principle is there and by the reduction of the percentage the principle will not be affected in any way. ^ Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Is the Hon’ble Minister aware tliat the system of earnest money was introduced only recently ? ^ The Hon’ble Mr. dOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: It was introduced in the year 1944. Mr. ISWAR CHANDRA MAL: Will the Hou’ble Minister be pleased io state whether he is sup[M>rted by departmental rules that no contracts are given without calling for tenders? The Hoit’ble Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: Of course, in emergent or urgent matters, the engineers are permitted to distribute works or execute works without calling for tenders. Mr. ISWAR CHANDRA MAL: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to state whether tenders are not oalled in order to maintain the ciniimunal ratio? Tha HOfl’bla Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: No it is not a fact, rather when a tender is not called much favouritism is shown to Hindu contractors. ^ No-oonfldanca motions. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Mr Speaker, Sir, 1 have given notice of a motion of no-con tideuce, and I beg ItMive f>f the IIous(* to move it. Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: 1 gave another notice of a motion of nc- confidence and 1 also seek your permission to beg leave of the House to move it. Mr. SPEAKER: There are two motions of no-oonfidence before the House. 1 shall deal w'iih Mr. IFatta’s motion first. It .say.s that this Assembly expresses its want of wnfidence in the Council of Ministers. I shall now request those members who are in favour of it to please rise in their places. (Members in favour of the motion rase in their s€uUs and their number was counted by Secretary and rejmrted to Mr. Speaker.) As the requisite numl)er of members is in favour of the motion, leave is grantetl. The next motion of Mr. Binml Comar (Ihose says that this Assembly expresses its want of l5onfideiice in the Hon’ble Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy, tbe Chief Minister and Minister in charge of liuw and Order. Those who are in favour of it will please rise in their seats. (Members in favour of tbe motion rose in their seats and their number was counted by Secretary and reported to Mr. Speaker.) Tbe jrequisite number having been obtained, leave is granted in tbia oaae alto. DEMAND FOR GRANTS. U m^] Vm Htll’llit Mr. H. S, •MHIIAWAIIDYi I mn glad that ilia Houm bat fiven this opportunity to the mom hers of the House to discuss the oatadysm rhich overtook Calcutta and which we all deplore. 1 am glad, Sir, because his gives me an opportunity to place before this House as well as before he oountiT the events which have taken place so that the House may be ible to judge for itself whether the remarks made in the papers against me ;nd the Ministry are justified or not. 1 am indeed glad, Sir, to be able to ix two days for the discussion of these motions subject to your approval Mr. SPEAKER: I think T shall fix the dates. The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: Yes, Sir, and so I say. subject to your opproval. > Mr. SPEAKER: Is it not l)etter tlmt the mutter should he decided by agreement ? The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: The imsition is this that we had come to an agreement regarding the «lates being 18th and I9ib. If the honourable the Leader of the Oppo.sition de<'ides to adhere to those dates, 1 shall l)e most happy or if he desires (hut it be later, I shtdl suggest 19th. and 20th. These 4ire my suggestions subjec t Ui your appixjvul, and to what the honourable the Leader of the Opposition may wish to say. Mr. KIRAN SANKAR ROY: May I sugge.st 20th and 21si. The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: The 2bt happens to he a Saturday, and you all know that Saturdays are not good days — not from the point of view' of aiisfiic iousness or otiierwuse hut for irunsac'ting business. That i.s the reason why I have suggested Thurstlay and Friday. Mr. KIRAN SANKAR ROY: 1 would appeal to the Ilon’lde the Leader of the House arid to the (’hiel Minister to agree to the 20th end 21st in spite of tlie fact that 21>t is u S«ituiduy. The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. SUHRAWARDY: I do not know what the leaders ol other jxirties have (o siiy regarding this dale because I am aware that there are some jiarties (hat may find Saturday an in(H>nvenient date. If they have no objection I have none. Hut, I think, taking all factors into consideration perhaps Thursday and Friday appear to me to be the most suitable. Mr. D. CLADDING: M\ party w’ouid prefer, if laisHible, if it took place on Thursday and Friday. Mr. SPEAKER* I have heard the NUgge.stioii.s of leaders and I think that the best (X)urse will be to make a compromise; the Ilon’ble the Lender of the House lia.s siigge.sled 18th and 19th, and the honourable the Leader of the Opposition has suggested 20th and 21st; I fix 19th and 20th for discussion of both the motions, the voting being taken on Ixith on the second day. DEMAND FOR GRANTS. S— Provincial Exdso. Tlii Hon’blo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the recommendation of His Excellency the Gh)V€rnor 1 move that a sum of Rs. 36,83,000 be granted for expenditure under the head “8 — Provincial Excise.” Sir, in reply to the debate that will ensue 1 shall announce Goremment policy and disease generi^y the administration of the deportment. n DEMAND FOB OfiANtS. [12m SmMt. Ilf, KIRAN SAMKAII ROY: Mr. Speaker, with your permiseion I would like td «tate very briefly the attitude of op party with regard to the diecuwion on the budget. We have tabled znotioae of no-obnfidence on the Hon'ble the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. Until these motkios are discussed and decided we do not propose to move the cut motions which stand in the names of our members, nor .shall we participate in the discussion. We shall oppose the total grants. The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Sir. I appreciate the stand- point tukori by ihe honourable Leader of the Oppo.Mition. When we have such an important discussion as uo-confidence motion against us, I think that any discussion on the various matters regarding the Budget will be hardly practiced, and w^e shall he more or less talking artificially. I think that it would also — of course I further appreciate it — cut our work short considerably and we shall he able to concentrate on the wf>rk ot adminis- tration. Mr. SPEAKER: Am T t4) understand from the statement of the hotiourahle Leader of the Opfsisition that all the motions standing in the name of the members of the (tp|M>sition should he treated as withdraw'n. Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Yes, Sir Mr. SPEAKER; With regard to all the demands? Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Xo; 1 .said until llie discussion and decision on the ii<>-(M)nfi<Ience motion are finished. The HOfl^ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: Are we to understand from the statement of the liPader of the t)[)is)siti(m that they iire also not going to partioipfite in the disou.sslon or the deluite on the main motion? Mr. SPEAKER: I think he nunle it (dwir that they will parlioiiKite in the general discussion of the Budget demand hut not on cut motions. Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: We will not participate in the discussion. We w’ill not move the cut motions and we will not particiiuite in the dis- cussion hut w’e .shall oppose the grant. Tht Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: If the Leader oi the Opposition would agree, can we not c-oinpress our programme for the voting on demands. It would l>e very ejusy. A lot of time of the House Iteis been saved because they are not going to juirticipate in (be delwite. So we could utilise tbe time in other wa>s and curtail the time on demands and go through legis- lation. What 1 .sugge8te<l was tiuit as the Leader of the Opposition has •tated the uiemWrs of the Opposition are iK>t going to participate in the debate, therefore we can allot a lesser number of days for the demands which have already l)een allotted for 13th, 14th, loth, J6th and 17th. Wa could pass those demands within twui or three days and take up somt impending ami imjwrtant legislation that has to be passed before tbe session is prorogued. If the Leader of the Opposition will agree to that, we can bring up legislation. Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: 1 am sorry I cannot agree. iir»iPlAKER: Nobody wants to discass this demand. 1 put the main demimd to vote. The motion of tbe Hon^ble Mr. Mohammed Ali that a sum of Es. 86,85,000 ha fMmted lot expenditure under the head “8 — ^Primnoial Exciee** wae then put and ni pme d In. w ] DEMAND FOE GRANTS. ft < t flOl l U ftt iOB. • ^ Alttt FAIAL MUHAMMAD ABOUR RAHMAN: ur, on the remmmendation of His Excellency the Governor I beir to move C o* o”oroti^” ** expenditure under the head Mr. SPEAKER: Nobody wants to discuss: I put the demand to >'«te. ihai^a®s!r.‘'^f‘ if ‘0-11;’,’^*:'“, Muhammad Abdur Ilahman ^t a sum of Ks. 00() be i;r,,„tcd f„i expenditure under the head — I o-op^rat ion WsIk then put und n^rreetl to. Adjournment. The House whs then adjournetl «( /i-d? j>.iu Lath September. KMh. ut the s\ssenihl\ lif.use till 2-aO p.m. on Friday, th# Cnleutto. M [13th Sbot, ProeeedingM of the Bengil Legi$hiive Ai$embljr aitembled under the provisions of the Govemnient of IncHa Aetf 1935. The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Friday, the 13th September, J946, at 2-30 p.m. Present: Mr. Speaker (the Hon’ble Mr. Xurul Amin) in the Chair, 5 Hon’ble Ministers and 202 Tiieml)er8. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Further Supplementsries to Starred Question No. 22 on the subject of Allotment of Spindles to existing Mills for their expansion. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: With reference to answer (h) on the presumption that there is n deficit in Ben^ral will the TTon'hle Minister be pleased tx) state the amount of the <lefi( it ? The Hon’ble Mr, 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: As regards deficit I want to explain the matter. In Bengal the ull(»tmeiit that was made for Bengal by the Government of India was very small. The fact is that the allowition oi spindles was finished during 93 regime on the loth of April. When we took over c’harge of the administration ami when this department was made over to me. I found that the whole thing was a completed fact. I could not agree with that because Hengal was given only 32o,()0() spindles whereas we found that Bombay was overfed. In spile of the fact that Bombay had already 5,941,000 spindles, she was given again 144,000 spindles. Madras had already 1,440,00(1 spindles. Over and alH)ve that Madras was given 460.000 spindles. In spite of the fa(‘t that Bengal had a deficit, we had only 430,000 spindles working in Bengal. I think the number of spindles allottejl t<i llengal was very short and insutti<*ient. I took that matter up to His Kxcellencv ami II is Excellency very kindly ga\e me the pennission to rtV)pen tin* wliole {|uestion. I went all the way tx) Delhi and reopened the whole thing ami reallotted certain iK)rtion and tried to extmct more from the Government (»f India. I hud discussed this matter with Sir Akbar Hydari who j)leade<l <lifhculty aim^it incrcsising the (juotxi. I said that Bengal should have at bvist 8 lakhs x)f spindles more hut in place of 8 lakhs we have been given only 325,000 spindles. I .miid that we want 5 lakhs of spindles more for Bengiil, hut he could not agree. He said that a month or two after he might be in a position to call u (amference of Minister.s of Industries of ■different provinces where the target figure which we are demanding to be mined can he discu.ssed ami decided. Yow will he glad to leorn that Sir Akbar Hydari has promised that the Conferenc'e of the Ministers for Indus- tries will be held at Delhi and there the demand that I have made that Bengal should be given an additional quota of 5 lakhs of spindles to cover the deficit through which Bengal is inissing now will he discussed end decided. This is the potiilion and I hope this will satisfy the honourable member. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY : Out of this 326.000 spindles sanctioned for Bengal will the Hon’ble Minister he pleased to state how many were distributed to Bengalis and how many to non- Bengalis — how many to Hindus and how many to Muslims? The Hoifbla Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: The spindles were dis- tributed among 9 parties out of which there were two Muslims. Ispohanis were 50,000 spindles and Calcutta Engineering was given 20,000, the total being 70,000. When I took this matter up I oistribated them later on QUESTIONS. r’ 6 otW miiLi-^four four Hindus. That has raisad the quot^i 0 one lakh ^*^d odd thousand for Miisliuis and 2 lakhs and 24 thousand foi iindos. All the 8 new mills to which I huve^ distributed the spindWa ari 1 1 * ^ Model Knitting, because that happened to belong 0 Birlas. I learnt that Btrlas got other allo<' 4 itiou 8 from other Piovinoes. o I cut out Birlas. Possibly (Uie uon>Bengali firm got some spindW bat hot was (lone by the Government of India, but the 8 new mills that I hove iven spindlex to are all Bengali -owned, — f«»ur Hindus and four Muslims. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURYs Will the ilon’ble jlini.ster la* pl(»a>ed to give ns the names of the mills and the parties to whom the spindles were distributed P Tha Hofi’bla Mr. 8HAM8U0DIN AHMED: That is in the list <in th** table. Mr. FAZLUL QUADIR: Will the llon'bh* Minister be pleastnl to state how man\ new applications were received from new mills in Bengali' The HOfl'ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIH AHMED: 1 am sorry 1 (Qinnot give you the figure now. There wa^ a large number <if applitotions. Mr, BIMAL COMAR CH08E: With reference to answer namely, prr t apita re(juireinent is Ki b vards and in view of tbe tact that the population oi Bengal is also known, will the Hon’ble Ministi'r be pleased to state why separate tignri's for Bengali were not available V The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: I uill look into it and I will tell yon afterwards. Mr, BIMAL COMAR GH08E: Will the llon'bie Minister be pleaseil to state il he is aware that the Post-War Planning ('ommittee said that IH yarils were the prr re(|nireiiienf taking an all-fndia averaged The Hon'ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Yes; that is so Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: Will the llotPbh' Minister lie pleased to state wh\ then this fi;;ine ot \aids was accepte»l b\ the Government of Bengal 'r The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: 1 am sorrv 1 (aunot give you the whole detail I would look into the matter and if my friend will see me afterwards 1 will be abb* tsi gi\e von every detail which he wants. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: With rcfercin*e t.o the allocation of spindles to various mills will the Iloii’hle Minister he pleased to state tx» to whether the reeonimendal ion of the i*ost-War Plaiiiiing (’ommittee was not that it should he 2'> thou.saiid spindles ami (i(K) looms for an ('(xinomic nniiy Tbo Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Before 1 took up the matter the etHuiomic unit was .supjMiHeil tu he and the albaation that was maile during !ld regime was 2o,(l0() and 20,000, hut after 1 took over charge Mr. Barat, .Joint Textile (Vnnmissiorier, came from Bombay and siiw me here. He told me that in view of the pri(*e of inuchinerv the ipioUi of spUKjles should now he fixe<l and albx'otion made ot a lesser number of spindle.s, so that money would he saved in Bengal. Thereafter you will he able to feed the mills after they luive begun to function, because if tbe orders utT pmced t<xlay, you (‘arimd get those inachinerie.s within tw^ii or three years by which time the price of macdiinery will come down and JJengsil wdll W in ® position to demand for bigger ouotas of spindles and will have to pay less for them. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: With reference to answer just now Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state as to whether, apart ® qu^tion ni prices, it is the opinion of the experts that a bwer ^i&dleage will be able to run on economic basis F QUESTIONS. fJ%H SkPT.^ Tht Mr. SHAMSUDOIN AHMED: Opinion riifer^. People tliink that if spindleage is more, the running cost will he less, but at the present moment the difliciilty is — you will be astonished to hear — that the prices have almost doubled or trebled. Previously where we had to spend four lakhs of rupees for machinery we hate now to spend eight to ten lakhs of rupees. In the first place, it is very difficult to get them, and in the second pkce, the prices at the United Kingdom are very high. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon bie Minister he pleased U) state what principle is followed in distributing the spindles? The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: I have already stated that economic unit i.-* the Isisis, and also the jw.sition and experience of the applicants. Some of the spindle.s were given to old and existing mills who wanted additional spindles. As regards new mills, the tajwcity and experience of the men who will run those organ iscitions are taken into consideration. The honourable members will realise that it is not very easy to do it. I have stated the whole* tldng and have also stated very frankly what 1 have done. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble Minister be ple<ised to stale whether any spindle has been granted to the Vidyasagar (V)tU>n Mill in Stnlepore? Mr. BREAKER: You ask whether a c^ertain mill was granted spindle. That is to be found in the list. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: Will the ‘Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state if he is of opinion tliat 8,(M)0 spindles can work on an economic basis? The HOfi’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Y(‘.s. It can start func- tioning and before three years’ time it cannot get spindles. After that self- government and independent India may either prcMluce here the necessary materials or get them at a cheaper rate. Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: In view of the fact that the Hou’ble Minister by implication suggests that 8,000 spindleage was the economic unit, will the Hoirble Minister be pleased to state as to why spindle.s that were available were not distributee] in terms of economic unit instead of distributing them \o various peerties which made it uneconomic. Tbf Hon’bit Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: “Uneconomic” is a matter of opinion, Mr. AHMED ALI MRIDHA: Will the Hoirble Minister be pleased to state if he is aware that 90 per c'enl, of the shareholders of the Vidyasagar Ootton Mill are Mu.slims? Tilt HMl»bl« Mr. SHAM8UODIN AHMED: That might be. 1 am sorry 1 cannot tell you. I shall look into the matter. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state the reason why 40, (KK) spindles were allotted to one particular mill, while not more than 25,000 or generally speaking 30,000 spindles were given to other mills? TN HOfRbli Mr. 8HAMBUDDIN AHMED: Ispakanis were given 25^000 sj^indles for two mills each during section 9r3 regime, that is, 50,000 epimlles for two. I cut it down to 40,000. Mr. BIMAL OONAII Cb^B: If one party allied for two mtOa, will tlie Hon’hle Minister be plee^ to etate the reasons lor aUotting spindleage for two mills when other parties applied for one mill oiilyf QrESTIONvS. It [ Tht HtifM Mr. SHAMSUODIN AHMtDl A» I said duru^ tkc ^tion 93 regime, the Ispahunii* were the oulv Muslim firm who ap^lieti for fe,o!oO spindles. There was another firm called the C^elcutttt Engineering prm whidi was giv'en SJ5,(MM3. The Ispahanis were given 50,900, thus baking a total of 75,0tK) spindles. ! Mr. BIMAL COMAB CHOSE: In view <d the fact that the wlnde Question wii> re-opened and re-examined, will the llon’ble Minister be pleased U state the rwisou w'hy such a large uuinlter of spindles were given to Ispalmnis instHid of giving it toother Muslim firms!' Tht Hon'bln Mr. SNAMSUDOIN AHMED: It was done after due wmsideratiou. Mr. AHMED ALI MBfDHA: Will the Hon^hle Minister l>e pleased U> state whether in view <d the statement 1 have made that 90 per <*enl, of the shareholders of the X’nlyasagar t'otton Mill are Mushm.s, ami also in view nf the fact that Muslims are very haekward in this industry, does he I'oiHider that sjiecial r(»ma‘S‘»ioii> ‘should he given to this niiliy The Hon’bli Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: 1 have alriHidy told you that there were only two Muslim mills. After resuming oflice 1 ix'-examined the whole question, and 1 pive sj)i miles to four more parties. 1 am sorry, the honourahle memher still saws that Muslims have not been given. I have gi\eii spindles to four llinilu and 4 Muslim mills. Mr. FAZLUL QUADIR: Will the Ilon’hle Minister he ple^ised to stale whether Government propose to start au\ new mill? Tha Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Wo pioimse to start a mill, hut the (^ihiiiet has not come to any final decision. After a decision w arrived at, we shall strive to get more quota for Bengal. Mr. d. C«. GUPTA: Is the IloiiMile Minister aware that for want of yarn iiianv wt'uvcrs, <»t whom a iiiaj(»rity are Muslims, are losing their trade, and are l)eing ruined? The Hon*ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: 1 um fully aware, and all the mills that have been allotte<l spindles have been asked to spin and produce yarn and to supply weavers. More than this is very difficult to do. Mr. fl. C. CUPTA: Will the llon’ble Minister be pleased to staU wbioh mills and wliat quota of yarn have been reserved for the handlootn weavers? Tbf Hon’bit Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMEDs I want notice. Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: In view of his answer will the llon’bie Minister he please<l to state the monthly re<)airemente of the weavers for one loom ? Tht Hon’bla Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: I want notioe. Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: Will the Hon’ble Miniiter be pleaaed to state whether the monthly requirement of each loom is 24 lbs. of yarn, but only 8 lbs. is being given for each loom ? Mr. SPEAKER: You are not asking for information but you are giving the information yourself. TIm HOA’bM Mr. BHAMSUDDIN AHMED: The honouiwhla member has given the information. 1 do not know. However, I will look into the matter. Mr. DIMAL COMAR GH08E: Will ike Boa’ble Minister be nleaeed to state the significanoe of the observations on t^s list laid on the table to the effect that aUotment to a particular mill was made on the xecommendniion of the Textile Oonmiisniotter P QUESTIONS. [13th Sept., di . TiltllM'IMt Mr. SHAMiUOOIN AHMfDs One non-Bengalee firm wa« allotted epindlee by the Textile Commissioner. When I was about to allot spindles finally on official oame all the way from Bombay and told us that tnoy have already allotted to that firm. I do not think it was fair on the part of the Textile Commissioner to do so without letting the Government of Sengal know. 1, however, did not like to pick up a quarrel and I accepted the ^sition. STARRED QUESTIONS (to which oral anawert were ghren) Alligirtions of oxcotses by local pdioe in a villaga under potiiMtation Mahoihtala, 24-Pargana$. •35. (SiiOM NoncB.) Mr. ILIAS ALI MOLtA: (a) Is the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the Home Ilejjartment aware — (i) that on the l3:?ud May, HMG, the police acted in a very highhanded manner in village Jogtolu, police-station Maheshlala, 24-rargana8, in making certain arrests; and (ft) that great atrocities were perijetruted on the i>oor and innocent Muslims of the village ^ (6) Did the Hoirble Minister receive any conijdaints on this matter on behalf of the inhabitants of the village? (c) If so, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state — (f) whether any steps have been taken to enquire into the allegations of fiolice excess; and (ft) if any enquiry was made, bv whom it was made and when it was made and what is the resuU of the enquiry ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon’blo Mr. /H. 8. ittbfiWtrdy) S (a) Allegations of excesses by the local police were received by Government. (6) and (c)(i) Yes. Hi) Enquiry was made jointly by the District Magistrate and the Superin- tendent of Police some lime in the middle of June last and allegations against the police found not to be true. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to atate why these arrests were made and how many of them were arrested? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: I cannot give the exact number. I want notice. Mr. NliHITHA NATH KUNDU: Reasons why they were arrested — you cannot give me the number, probably you can give me the reasons of their arrest. Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: There was a criminal ease pending against one of the Muslim gentlemen over there and the police went over ^th a search warrant. He could not W found and they tried to catch hold of the man who, though not absconding, could not be found over there. When the police were attempting to catch hold of the man, some people oame over there and the police thought that they were -obetructing their investigation, Hence the arrests were made. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNOUt Will the Hon 'ble Minister be pleased to state whether th^e was any charge or any oases started against them? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMEDS No. QUESTIONS. ) f Mr. MUNAMMAD KHUDA iUICHIHi Will the Hon ble Mmuk U r-sed to state whether the enquiry conducted wim prayed for? Mr. HAMIOUDDIN AHMED: Yes. Mr. MUHAMMAD KHUDA BUKHtH: Why in not the Miniatry pur* ing the matter any further? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government was aatiahed that the ^fjiouiry held by the (ollector along with the District Superintendent erf ilfefice was sufficient. ^ Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble , Minister be plejised to state the names of the District Mogistmle, the Superintendent of Polite and the arrested per.'wms? > Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: I cannot give the names offhand. 1 pirant notice. Mr. TAFA2ZAL ALI: Will the llon’ble Minister be pleased to state iwhether the entjuiry lueiitioned in an.swer (b)(<i) was a toiindenlial enquiry Oran open enquiry asking the coinplainants t<» substantiate their allegationsf Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: It was an entpiiry imnle at the instance of the Government. Dovetopment soheme in nspoot of Damodtr Vallty. •ae. Maharaji 8RIBCHANDRA NANDY, of Colilfiiliazar: Will the Hon' ble Minister in charge of the Department of Irrigation be pleased to •tate — (a) whether any development scheme in respt*ct of the Damodar Valley has l>een taken up; {h) whether provisions have been made in the scheme for (i) generation of electrical |)Ower, (it) irrigation, and (tii) prevention of soil erosion ; (r) whether the scheme is being )mshtMl by the Government of India, Government of Ilihar, Government of Benipil, or whether aa In ter- Provincial Authority has been sot up for the purpose; (d) what is the estimated total capita] outlay in respect of the scheme; and (e) whether any portions of the same have l)f*en agreed to 1)0 home by the Government of India, the Railway Board, or the sister Pro- vince of Bihar? MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of IRRIGATION (the HmPIiIc Mr. Abul Pazal Muhammad Abdur Rahman): (a) The preparation of the Damodar Valley Project is in progress. (b) The project provides for generation of jjower, irrigation, navigation and flood control. Prevention of soil erosion is also contemplated. (c) The scheme is l>eing pushed by the Government of India and the Governments of Bihar and Bengal. No Inter-Provincial Authority has been appointed yet. (d) About Rs. 56 crores. (e) No decision has yet been arrive<l at in the matter. Dr. BURE8H CHANDRA BANERdi! Will the Hon ’hie Minister be piensed to atate, with reference to answer (a), at what st4^re preparation 18 the project at present J Tht Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RANMANi I wk U>t aotioe. DP (QUESTIONS. Ii3th Smet., Or. SUREtH CHANDRA BANCIUI: Will tko Hoo’Ue Minuter be to state ^rhether tlie prelhninary inveatigation which was st&tted bf the Army Enffineers of the Central Government in November, 1945, has been completed? The Hon’ble Mr. A. F. M. AiDUR RAHMAN: It is on tbe to oopapletion. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Arising ont of (e), will the Ilon’ble Minister be pleased to state when the decision will be arrived at ? The Hon*ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: By the next oold weather, presumably. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state how much monejr has been spent by the Bengal Government up till now, how much b}’ the Bihar Government and how much by the Central Government? The Hon’bte Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: About 2 lakhs has been spent by the Bengal Government. No information is available as to how much has been spent by the Bihar Government or the Central Government. AdvertisMiMfit for appoifitmont of labour superviaora. *37. Mr. D. 8. GURUNC: (a) Will the Hon’ble Minister in charjro of the Department of Laliour and Industries l)e pleased to lay on the Table a copy of the advertisement published by tlie Public Service Commission, Bengal, some time in the last week ol ]>eceml)er, 1944, or January, 1946, legarding the ajiiMiintiuent of lal)our superviHors .to enquire into the grievances of the Tea garden labourers of the district of Daj*jeeling? (b) Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state how many Hillmen Ol “Hill language knowing” supervisors were appointed? (.c) Is the Hon’ble Minister aware of the fact that the labour officer (who does not know a siiigle word of the Hill lanpiage) deputed to enquire into the condition of the Tea garden coolies went direct to the Manager’s bungalow and reported that the coolies were quite happy and got more than they need? (ff) If the answer to clause (r) is in the negative will the Hoa’ble Minister be pleased to lay on the TaWe a copy of the report submitted by that labour officer ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on bohalf of tho Hon’blo Mr. Bhaimuddin Ahmad): ( a) I am not aware of any such advertisement. ib) to (d) Do not arise. Mr. DRBENDRA NATH BENt Will the Hon ’hie Minister bo ploosed to state how many labour supervisors have been appointed since January, 1945, in the district of Darjeebug and how many of t^m are hillmen or men knowing hill language? Mr. HAMIBUUUIN AHMED: I want notice, Mr. MUHAMMA) H)^BIBU|.LAH CHAUDHURY: Is there any hill- man properly qualified to occppy this position? Mr. HAMiOUDOIN AflMEDl The <ittes4ion has not yei arieen. Mr. DlBiNDRA NATH tlNt Has the Hon^ble Minister recimved anar ropoft of the labour super^r of Darjeeling oonoeming the oonditMiiis of emidagmiii and aarrioe el tim gmd QUESTIONS. tl Mr. HAMIDUODIIi AHMED: Mr. Speaker, Sir, fhis quesitlou ik)#i not pe because the nuestiou wan in wuiuertH)!! with the appomtment of labour |M*rvieurH. My xrieiurH ijiiestwui relates to whether any report haa been eeived from the .‘<u|>ervisur. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Mv que^ttkin was whether the Minister f B receive<l any rept)rt 8ti]>inittetl hv any labour supervisor of the district Darjeelinj? ooncerniiig ()io of service and employment of tea rden lalM)urers there. M\ question arises m view of the fact tluit the Pl'ic'iiial (juestion in (r^ relates to whether a IuImiiu welfare officer was deputed ipd whetWr he Ims .sulunitted any rejKirt. With rej^ard to that questmu the ^swer is — it does not arise. I <'ann<»t follow how it does not arise — whether iny lalK)ur supervisor was deputed to make any eiicpiiries and whether he has puiuiiitted an\ refsirt to (jroveriiiiieni . Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Mr. Speakei. Sir. the Hrst (piestion pekites to the advertisement by the i‘uhlio Servic'e ( 'ommissioii. Mr. SPEAKER: li is question is whether an\ lalM»nr superviinor ha.i |iuhiiiitted any rejMirt in repird to that. I Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: My submission is that tliis quoBtion ^oes n<»t arise. The tjuestiou was with regard to the advcrtisomcMit lor inpf>ointment ot supervisoi and necessarily u question relating to whether tiny *report has been submitted «Uies not at all arise. It is with rcjfard to the njqxtintnient only and iwithin^'’ more. Mr, SPEAKER: 'J'he (ondition <d service of lea p’arden labourers is the (juestion. ddiere i.s also the jreiieral (question there. So 1 }ia\e allowed that cjiiesiKui. It is up to you to answer in an> way \ou like. Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: i Innc nothing iurtlier to add. Operation of Shops and EstaMishments Act, 1940, in ratpeot of iaundriaa. *3S. Mr. ASHUTOSH MAtLICK: (a) Will the Hon'hle Minister in rhai^^e ot tlie l)cpai tniciit ot Commerce and ImlHOir be pleased to state (whether the laundries iu the cit\ <d Calcutta fall under the catef^oiy of shops ^ 1 '' detined in the Sho|>s and Kstahli*<hme!its Act. llHOy (h) It the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, will the Uon’lde Minister die pleaded to state whether he is aware that the shop as.sistants attached to the laundries in the city of Calcutta are denied the amenities provided for them iu the said Act? \ (c) Do the liovciiiiiient ((Uisidet the desirability of taking- Ntejis to issue jdireotives on tile owners of the laundries in the city of ('alcutla to the effect Inf allowing their employees the privileges piovided for them iu the said Act? I Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on bMialf of tha Hon’blo Mr. Sfiamsuddin Ahmtd): (cr) No, but clericail departments of kiundries ere ‘‘commercial ^“tablisbments” within the meaning of the Act. (b) Clerical employees of laundries are entitled to get weekly holidays |w.ith pay for IJ days, payment of wages bv the 10th of the following month kt the latest and annual leave as provided in the Act. 1 am not aware of fUiy of these privileges having been denied to these employe<*s. (c) Does not arise. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: In view of the reply given to question [a) that the laundries ore not considered as shops within the meaning of the Act, will the Hon’ble Minister take steps to so amend the Act ibat the laundries do oome under the meaning of tne Act? I Mr« HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: The suggestion of the honourahle [inetnbmr will be taken into consideration by tne Cfovemment. 82 QUESTIONS. [13th SispT. Mft 4m 0i QUPTA: Is the Hon’ble Minister aware that notice of a non official Bill re^rdiiifr the commercial and mercantile firms assistants hai been given and does the Hoii’hle Minister think it desirable to sponsor sncl a Bill from the Treasury benches? Mr* HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: It will be considered by Government. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: With reference to answer (6) whereir it is stated that the Hon’ble Minister is not aware of any of these privileges having been denied to these employees, will the Hon^ble Minister please make enejuiries and ascertain whether actually these employees are deprived of the privileges or not ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: If these employees are deprived of any privilege it is open to them to bring it to the notice of Government. UNSTARRED QUESTION (answer to which was laid on the table) Opmtiofi of Shops and EstaMishmonts Aot, IMh in raapeot of laimdiiaa. fO. Mr# BHUPATI MAilUMDAR: (n) A\ ill the llon’ble Minister in charge of the Department of Commerce, Lalxmr and Industries be pleased to state whether it is a fact — (i) that the laundry shops are not included among the list exempted from the ojMjration of the Shops and Establishments Act, 1940; and (ii) that the shojis not so included are to olwerve one and a half days’ holiday during a week under the provision of the same Act? (h) If the answer to (a) is in the atfirmative, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state whether he is aware — (i) that the owners of the laundrj^ shorn; do not abide by the provision made in the Shojw and Establishments Act, 1941), in respect of holiday and working hours; (ii) that the employees of the laundry shops have to work till late at night; and (iit) that they get no holiday at all? (c) If so, will the Hon ’hie Minister l>e pleased to state — (t) the reason therefor; and (it) the stens, if any, he proposes to take in the matter of granting relief to the employees of the laundr>' shops ? DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE, LABOUR md INDUSTRIES (tho Hon’bio Mr. ShamsiiiMln Ahntod): (a) Yes. (b)(t) and (n) Laundries are not “shops” but their clerical departments are “eommercial establishmenU” within the meaning of the Act, and as such, the clerical employees are entitled to weekly holidays with pev for U days. Provisions of the Act relating to hours of work \lo not apply in the case of commercial establishments. (in) No. (c) Does not arise. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: With reference to answer (6) (tit) whether employees do get any holiday, wM the Hon M Minister please make enquiries whether they actually get boli^ya not? * DEMAND FOR GRANTS. * 6 .] d8 Mr. NAMIDUDDIN AHMEO: Oovernment think that clerks nr© enjoy- gf the privilege. If anybody cannot this privilege and if he is atmeted he can bring it to the notice of Government and Government will rely take atepe. Miisige. Secretary then read the following messages received from the Bengal legislative Council: — (1) “That the concurrence of the Bengal Legislative Assembly be asked to the Bengal Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 1946, as passed by the Bengal Legislative Council at its meeting held on the 14th August, 1946.” (2) “That the concurrence of the Bengal I^egislative Assembly he asked to the Cattle-Trespass (Bengal Amendment) Bill, 1946, as })assed by the Bengal legislative Council at its meeting held on the 14th August, 1946.“ DEMAND FOR GRANTS. 4S-~Agriculturt and 71 — Capital Outlay on Schamas of Agricultural Improve* mant and Raaaaroh. Tha Hon’bla Mr. AHMED HOSSAIN: On the reconiiiiendjition of His Excellency the Governor, I beg to move that a sum of 11^. d,71,ld,tM)0 be granted for expenditure under tbe bead “40 — Agriculture'’ and “71---(’apital Outlay on Schemes of Agricultural Improveiuenl and Besearcb,” Dr. ABDUL AHAD: Mr Speaker, Sir, allow’ me to (smgratulate our Hon’ble Finance Minister for his well imagined resourceful Budget for the year 1946-47 which he had to premire in .such a short time, hut he has given very little attention about the tillers of the jwiil %vho represent 9(1 per eent. of the popuktion of Bengal. Ours is 4ni agrieiilluTal (smiilry and the Hon’hle Minister should have put his he^t thought nud (‘onsidenition !oi the improvement of the agrieultiirist and their lixestock, even half the Budget money put on this aeeount could not have l>een excess at all. Our vitality is in the hands of these people and their existence is in your hands. Their economic life is on their livestock ami the gniuary they possess. If we want this country to prosper, we must make our lalxuirers and agriculturists healthy and prosperous first by protecting their health and animals from the ravages of the Nature. We must have stronger men, better cattle and S )ultry, more fighting implements to bleed the mother earth; the present udget has done very little for it. The little money we have got this year for the Agricultural Department, out of which Hs. <Sfl lakhs will he spent on showy building and contractors and Rs. 40 lakhs left ff>r some kind of agricultural works best known t<i our Ministers. There should have been more money for the rural uplift. Give the cultivotors health and strength to grow more food, stronger cattle and poultry, encourage agrir-ulture and animal shows by suitable rewards. It is a mockery to have a cample of hundred veterinary surgeons to protect millions of cattle and poultry. More veterinary colleges are essential and our indigenous eniJe drugs in many cases can be utilised insteail of all in western method. We should have proper ’ research on indigenous medicines. Great Britain has five colleges with well over 2,000 students and one veteriruiry oirgeon in every 15 square miles. We have one college with 250 students of whom 50 are foreigners. Tbe pay of a veterinary surgeon is in no way better than a lower grade clerk or a postal peon. If we want our valuable pimals treated and saved from spid^ucs we must have thousands of veterinary surgeons everywhere like owr kuman doctors and they should receive better remuneratioii lev their maiAteiMUkce. DEMAND FOE GBANTS. [13th Ssrr., As regards the Haringhatta Scheme that money could have been die- tnbute<l III ten districls and a general competition would have been set up amidst these experimental breeders with different climate and soil with ftxpert advice, llltiinately really beneficial and effective formula would have been found for the future uplift of the cattle and poultry in this country. *^veral hundreds of people would have l>een provided in these ten different jeutres. Fruit and vegetable gardens could have been profitably reared in these places according to the multi-purposes scheme. There should be more hulls everywhere in the country to protect our cattle from these indis- :nrimitiate breeding pasteur land and special vegetations also necessary for them. Knlesh u e luive enough to eat and more milk to drink we will never t>e strong and will always remain victims to disciises due to malnutrition, [t is high time we should do something to our constituent people whom W'e lave given ^iii h a lot ot high hopes. For bringing about this to practice im-tKithly, it is imperative that there should not only be close oo-operation letw^een the Agriculture Directorate and the Veterinary Directorate but that K>th these directorates may be amalg'€iiiiated into one, having several deputies, lacli in immediate charge of various sub-seitions of the broad field of Agriculture. Uegarding veterinary colleges I have seen in England five veterinary colleges with over 2,(100 students having a less area of land than Bengaf. Those students come out here and teach us here all the w^estern methods of reatmenl. But for manv ot these diseases wdiiih ^icrur here western drugs re imt suitable ior (hem. Our iiidigenou*' drugs me well worth trying as heir substitutes. If we have more cidleges and more students over here we an surely siave our cattle from ejudemiis and untimely death. There are iianv dise^ises over here which our people are more competent to cure with ndigenous drugs. I have trieil to give training on indigenous drugs in iun> [iLices^ but our students never get these instructions in our colleges, w'ish that there should be s<»me teachers giving in.structions on indigenous rugs, .so that veterinary surgeons in our lountry can carry on treatment i^ilh cheaper inedirines locally procured to save our cattie. I hope the Ion’ hie Minister wdll take s|>ecial care and see that indigenous drugs take he nbu e ot foreign <lrugs as early u.s possible. There should be a oomplete veriiauling of the present arrangements of the Veterinary Department. Th« HOfl’blt Mr. AHMED HOSSAIN: Sir. this much 1 can say that all \v* constnictive ftUgge>ti(ms ot the honourahle member will receive the t tent ion of (loveruinent. The motion of the llon’hle Mr. Ahmed Hossiiin that a sum of Is. 3.71,13,(11111 be granted lor expenditure under the heads “40 — Agricul- iire” und “71 — Capital Outlay on Schemes of Agricult unil Improvement nd llesearch” was then put and agreed to. 41— Vtitrinary. Thi Hon’ble Mr, AHMED HOSSAIN: Sir, on the recommendation of lis Excellency the Ooveruor T beg to move that a sum of Rs. 14,09,000 be Tauted for expenditure under the head “41 — Veterinary”. The motion was then put and agreed to. IS— Forttl. Tb# HOA'blt Mr. AHMED HOSSAIN: Sir, on the recommendation of lis Exc^llen(‘y the Oov?tiK>r 1 beg to move that a sum of R*. 49,42,000 be :ranted for expenditure under the head “10 — Forest”. The motion w-as then put and ngree<! to. The Houae woa then adjourned at 3-20 p.m. till 10 a.m. on SaturdiTV the 4th September, 1946, at the Aaaembly Mouse, Calcutta. 146.] M •nieeediiif • of the Benfal LefUIetive Ateeirbly Msembled under the provisions of the Government of Indie Act, 1935. The A.<;se»ibj.t in*** in the Assenihlj- Hou.ie, Calcutta, on Saturday, the 14th September, 1946, at lO-o a.m. PrMtfit: Mr. Sjteaker (the Hon’ble Mr. Nurvl Amin) in the (^hair, 8 HoiiUile Ministers and 264 members. Obituiry. Mfs SPEAKER: Latlies ami ^entlfineii, beiore we proctHnl with (he busineHw of the Houae it is my iueIanehol\ duty to reler to the death of Mr. Kishori Mohan (’howdhury, a member of the n(iw defunct Heuffal Ij<*irislutive (’oumil. Mr. Kishori Mohan (’howdhurv represeiitetl the old Ben^ml Lejrislative ( tnineil from the Kajshahi Ntm-Muhammadan ('onsti- tuenry. His selHess services to the cause of the motlierland won him love, respect and admiration from all. He was the President of the Hajshahi Bar Association. Ladies and i^entlemen, our .sympathy goes with his family, and 1 am sure it is the desire of the House to convey our message of condolenri* to the members of the bereaved family. I now request you, ladies and gentlemen, to signify your assent hy rising in your seats. (The memherM ro.se in their seat.s.) Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Secretary will do the needful. Meet Committee’s Report The Hon'Me Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: Sir. In fore you proceed with the normal business of the House, I beg leave to submit that the time for suhniission of the Ketiort of the Seleef (’onimittee on the BiUiga) Non-Agricultural Tenancy Bill la* extended to dlst DccemlMT, I94tl. Sir, on a(‘coiint of the unusual circumstances and abnormal eooditioiis prevailing in Calcutta the Seln-t (.’onimittee could not he convened, and therefore I request for the leave of (he House to extend the time to JHat December, 1946. Mr, SPEAKER: Is there any objection? (There was no objection.) The leave of the House is granted. DEMAND FOR GRANTS^ 37— Eduoation — Catiartl. The HOfl’ble Mr. SAIYEO MUAUAMUDDIN HOSAIN: Sir, on the recommendation of His Excellency the Governor I beg to move that a sum of Rg. »3, 40,20, 600 be granted for exjienditure under (Im* head “67 — Education — General ’ ’ . Mr. JWaker, Sir, in moving for grant of the demand I may at the outset tell the House that the demand represents practically the estimate of expendifure ealcuiat#) by the Permanent (officials of (hivernment bef<»re the maturation of th#* Ministry and it does not reflect the indicy which the Ministry have in fiew. The Ministry did not g«*t sufficient time to study the various probieilb and formulate definite schemes before the budget being sent to the Press, But since then more than two months have elapsefl and ibe Minit^ is now in a better position to give some idea of the decisions ihty are likely to take on the urgent problems which confront the country DEMAND FOB GRANTS. [UtB Sbft., in connection with educational needs and requirements. I should like, Sir, to state here very briefly the main problems of the Education Department and the way we propose to deal with them. The first and the foremost problem is tne inauifuration of free and compulsory education in the province with the least possible delay. The ultimate cost of making primary edu- cation free and compulsory throughout the province has been calculated to be in the region of Ei crores per annum and this huge amount is considered us wholly beyond the resources of the province. But whether it is wutbin or beyond the resources, the country is not prepared to wait any longer. Free and compulsory primary education is one of the most e.ssential needs of the country and it does not brook any delay. Jf all the advam^ed countries of the world could introduce it succe.ssfully without being bankrupt, we should certainly be able to fall in line with them. Experience of otlier countries has shown us that once primary education is made free and compulsory and it is imparted efficiently, the country grows in wealth and the question of finance does not stand in the way. In this view’ of the problem I am per- sonally extremely anxious to take the bold step of introducing free primary education on compulsory basis from next year at least in the few districts of Bengal where the IViinary School Boards have been working satisfac- torily. No final decision has been taken on this point but we are busy collecting facts and figures for enabling us to take quick decision. I am hoping to be able to introduce free and compulsory ediicatioii in u few districts at least by January next. The question of increasing the pu> of the primary school teachers does not broke a moment’s delay. The increase is already oveidue. Their pay must be substantially raised in order to make the teachers contented. The provision rna^e in tne budget will not be sufficient for the piiriwse and I am afraid I will have to approach the House for supplementary provision. Mere increase in the pay of teachers will not ensure better quality of primary education and so elaborate arrangements have been made for eflS- meut training of teachers of primary schools by sending a batch of qualified young men abroad and also by giving intensive training to another batch bv sending them to reputed centres of learing in India. Arrangements are also being made for increasing the number of inspecting staff and giving them a reasonable ivumber of schools to inspect in order to make sure that the huge amount we will be spending on primary education i.s usefully spent and we get our money’s worth in return. At present, Sir, a Sub-Inspector of Schools is in charge of ICO schools on an average which it is impossible for him to inspect in addition to his duties of attending to clerical work of his office. Arrangements will also have to be made for maintenance of an atmos- phere of education in the rural areas by establishing libraries and adult education (entres in every union, as otherwise, it is apprehended that the ordinary cultivators and labourers’ children after coming out of primary school will relapse into illiteracy within fiv^ or six years. As to secondary education we must improve the quality of education by establishing one substantially aided Government high school for boys in every thana gradually and one substantially aided gins’ high chool in every subdivision, if possible. ^ In order to prepare the country for industrialisation we should have one technical high school in every subdivision to start with and eventually one in every thana. For college eduratiotr it will be the policy of Government to encourage establishment of colleges in rural areas, specially science colleges, so ^at the benefits of higher ^ucatiou mav be enjoyed by the poorer class of people and the iMux of students to unhealthy surroundings in the cities is checl^ to a certain extent. This being the age of science and the industrialisation of the oonntry being our object, all kinds of facilities will have to be provided in eeteoe DEMAND FOR 0RANTS. 9t alleges for pursuit of scientific experiments and research. With Uiis Meet in view liberal grants are contemplated to be ma<le for e<|uipment of :Doratorie8 of science colleges, both Government and private. For advancement of higher technical education, the Shibpore Engineer^ ig College is going to be expanded and developed at a cost of about ikhs of rupees annually. Tne college will bo manned by technicsd men f European and American reputation. A first grade Engineering Ckdlege D the same lines with an additional department for textue engineering is oing to be established at Dacca. Pilot factories will have to be attached to leEngineering Colleges for teaching the production of finished products. . large number of highly educated young men are being sent to England nd America for higher scientific and techuit al education ho that on return ome they may help the (country in starting fm torics and thereby pave the ay to industrialisation. We have also to pay more attention to the physical training and discipline f the young men of the country and with that object in view qualified oung men and women are being sent abroad for special training and a i’'outn Welfare Officer is going to be apiminted very shortly to guide the youth movement on right lines and to see that the young men of the country grow up as well disci^ined and al)le«bodied men who could take their stand against any nation of the w'orld for the honour and independence of their motherland. Sjiecial attention has to be paid the making up of the leeway in the education of the backward communities, like the Scheduled Caste Hindus and the poverty-stricken Muslims. Special facilities must be provided in the shape of hostel accommodation, stipends and siiecial grants to the students of such backw’ard communities and wh' have taken these up in right earnest. Special provisions have t(T be made for sei tions of population requiring education of special ty|)e suited to them and this netiessitates money being provided lil>erally for inadrusaliH and tols and also for European ana Anglo-Indian edin-ation and increased allotmentii for these are also contem- plated. Large amounts of money had to be provided for dearness allowance of teachers of all classes. It is true the allowance provided for aided college and school teachers is very low', but I wish 1 could increase it substantially without prejudicing the claims of other urgent demands on our liniitea resources. The increase in the pay of primary scluxil teachers and the increase contemplated in the aided school grants will, I hojie, relieve the distress of the poorly paid teachers to a certain extent. Sir, I have given an outline of the educational policy of Government and I hope it will be seen that nothing requiring attention has oeen lost sight of. I am extremely anxious that the country should advance in all the different spheres of education according to a well-thought-out programme and speediest methods should be adopted to make up the leew'ay so that within a reasonable time we may prove to the world that our beloved country is not behind any advanced country. May God help us in achieving our cherished goal. Mr, SPEAKER: Does any member want to speak on thisP Dr. A. M. MALIK: I want to speak. Mr.^KAMAL KRISHNA RAY: Go a point of order, Sir. May 1 know * whether any cut motion has been moved or notP Mr* SPEAKER: No cut motion has been moved. Mr. KAMAL KRISHNA RAY: On what is he speakingf Mr. SPEAKSR: On the main demand. Everyone ia entitled to apeak OB the mom demand. DEMAND FOB OBANTS. [14th Sew., 0r, A, HH. MALIK Speaker mtn, speech^ fkpnr *tPrm ^ t ^ ic^ fCEcp ct » «rf>nn Tfir ?f7‘f ^ cw ittw^ *ffTf CJt fffv c»r^i 4fn permanent officials fesR ^ tofe«R ; <7{ ^Ut l tCW policy 4TO CFtffnJ *11111% I *fc? 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CE>fClf 4t E fEinSR Cl gl>f l E trW E5^ fCl CEE, EltlS ItH llEflCllKElCfCElElW ERiM 4'WTR Cl ER E^' frlR CfEW ElW EWEI El I Iee t ff^m i 11 Ed'S 111 5CE Cl ECER PfEl, ERfR t* CERR 4Elf ERR EfCEfl tRRflldltlOT^ ERTR nil, ItRfR 111 EfW E« I CTCEf fl HEIR IlCE ^ (EtitE EER Cll EIW ERRI DfiMANB FOR OHAKW. tfirwrfi fw, ^ wn 'itm fffnf ^ topt tt i If^f^fTfk^cfrwf^T^ irmr® ^ ^ vfw , jffi tc^ »CTr r c*mf Rci »r¥r»Tir ^ ^ *lr9 Rtif^ i to w^frs ’*itw 5 ^TCf I f^t ,\5 w^n c 9 Ptn*T, '$ wtott Nfw f»r ^ I TO ^*tfnr ^jro to sfrttlt fiwr tf c it w^TOi ¥^»t jcft*te cft c¥^ wnsi ¥TO I c^-ofcfcn 5 »toO ^rrtrlt f»! 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TOnr icfi inTO TO (cro iron ¥ti^Tt ¥?! ) ¥c^ ^ CIV ¥cv I Tenth ^ uinquenniiil reports v»n TOC¥ cv “four fifth of the money and effort is at present wasted” 4t ¥TO ^ VC’S TOr vfv cwlw TO CTO vr%v TO. ¥Ti? VfV ¥¥1 4V 4V; TOTRT TOfTO TtoTV tfTOV ev | r¥l TO- ^5f¥¥ ¥T¥f¥)¥ fTOfV TOTOV VCVf C¥fTO T ^ TOTO ¥ttv TO VtVCf ¥1¥ VfV I 4t VTO CTOfV VCVI TO 5^15 C¥TO TO cTO ’TISts TOtf I fTOl ¥t¥f-n¥TOr TOCf C¥TO TO rttJTV 'Q ^IV^V fvSfTO^Mc^, ¥^!¥fTO 4¥t «flTC^ 4V^ V«wfv^•C¥V 4¥t TOTV » frotv S^f%» TOT TOTm ¥!tpr ¥Mtfv ^ tprtv to rTO¥cw c^kw vfrtv tffis itTO ¥TO I ^*0^ ¥CV rf¥¥CW CVTO fTO Os St¥l 0 TO. 5;»8^ TO fTO TO5 1¥ tt¥1 ¥lS TO, v^rcv 4t CVTOV m vrfro C^ ST¥1 to vm ICICl l WTOII. C^VWCWV CVTOf TO¥ C¥!R cv CTOV r-f¥C¥Vl TO ¥fC'4; TO? VI, CV CVCW VoT^ VflT ¥fvrv WfvVlV VffCf f¥VJ. C¥ TO r fi¥TviTc¥ VVTVTV fTOS 5V 4VtT¥r* VtC¥Ct f^fv ^0 ¥¥ ST¥1 Vlt¥ ¥CTO¥ 4¥ ¥¥ tftVi^ fipf¥CW TOT! ¥VT I tftVfV¥ ffTtV Vfwn'rVV WVT :>J>8% TO VtV- t»rcvlrv frov to wvi tocto Ov!>c vcvi jnvt ¥cv fv vfm'cw vtfin /c«n tJTTOn I ¥V5 4*V1 Sc^f¥Tt TOTO ¥^TOl ¥tl cTO I ttVTT CVTO vrVTfVf VtC^ vm tT¥l vn ¥f !JTVf5r¥ fVTTV V¥V CVTOTOn Vfi;¥ft TO m TO! ¥CVI froCTO ¥«n CTOft fv-. TOtW CVTO ItWCTO f5¥¥l VsSr¥l TO5 ¥!n tffVfw fVTOV ¥CVT. VtVtCW TOT CTO CVTO V71 tn TOn Vstf¥i ¥r? m tfTvfvr fwv to vf?v! cvro vrv wvi -nsTv? %v tm toi ! ftvf¥¥ fWC¥ WtviTO fTO TO VT^VJ TOTV 3 VV'VWrV VtTtV ¥f! tfCTOV ( Vt;V» ^Wlv TOff TOtl TOn?V! ¥CV¥ WTVTfV TOtf I fP/f^l f TO 4 ^ VTf5r¥th ¥?fTO TOflr, f¥l VTTOV ¥TO WfTO 4t VWTO fTOV V?¥WT ¥M ¥TO TO VTt I VftVTf fTOj, •tferrow c*r5T9 cw to ▼cw ^ ^ ’ntror i 4 vTO viflr to vffcTf 1 VWV TOftlf TOT Vftf%T¥, TO !r*W¥, f¥ ?1 ^ Tt « l tW !jt%fvf^r. (t¥ll¥ ¥W ^ iWWIiW yfe fvf TOI fro TrfWf 4¥t ¥<vi Ttrvf yCTOOW ! ¥^1 ¥fff t VtfP VfffVrtt 40 DEMAKD FOB GRANTS. [14th Skpt., n niftiy ^¥tni *fn:wf ^ i ^ ^ /iflIfCf I ’Ttf® fTMTTC'fW JflJflVPrlf C^ ¥Ci fTO WlW f7t¥flr¥l ^w, iRT ?i wm ^ TO ?f «rf;3ff? ft¥C¥f cfrv Wft ^ ¥®5 t fjHfi I TO nt^rf^ ifsprr^ toc^ w«r« w^jrlv to ^n i OT® TOTTO *tfrTO;n ^ilTOl? fT¥ff^TOI ¥CTO I ^ ^TfTO fi^TOl <TO TO 00\ — Oft\ 'TOCiV trc^7¥f CTO^TOT^ flf^ ’TR «>TtTO 80 ^ 1 ffCTO4-iff ^TO’(TOTOm fro ^ ^ iftTO i8~ ortff ^ I f^Wf TOT «nrm TO? C^ 0 Cffft 80 TOF ^0 TOt^ ^ 1 tft'^ TOT ^ '^tTO cft^n CTO ? ▼TO fsn arcs ’TO— wfrrt^ ![TO ?’r»T, tfTO tfTO f^^fro wt€t® j m fro ♦rff «r5 ^\ tots ’ttro, ^cror froi-roTN toito ▼to ▼▼ i JTffTfSrf froro ▼Tjntfira toto tot wtifTfror c^t;^ tpro too? ▼ffro i «fl »rTO ’TfirTOTOi 'q froi 'TO^ !fTTOii «rTft wrf^irtf^f^lTTO ▼nTO TOmTOciv I <A ftlt wtnrtTO 4TO« ?’▼ ▼! I ▼t^TO ▼ta toi ▼rtff ▼ ’fM to, ^stcto ▼cfT ■rroi ▼▼ TOT TOTT ctO f^’xf^^TtTO ▼! I ▼t^TO :),8c:>f TO-^ fC«T ff ▼▼ TOHTf TOtTO W ff»jff«rJTTOr fro I ^ OrtTOTJ TOrt OR ®fCfW TOI ▼#?TO ▼(▼▼tNi TO ▼?rc^ i 4^ ▼▼ ▼cro R f^ ^hn- ▼1 TO TO? ▼TOT (![•(> fTORJ?c<rT I cronr T^rf^ too® toi ▼tRi ▼fttf^iR c?i I TOI CFTO TO tpr^^i CR TO 5rfc¥ ▼trron fro i oro frorf^ tot? m??! to ?T^m? m??! i ’[Wr? to?t itcj? ▼3 ?T^m? ?TcJ^ ?riR? i^Nr?? TOrf?ff? to 5TO5T3ctoi ^ TO?r«?i yf ws TO I ?:c^? fro ^ wrcrmR oRi ?tc^ ^ ▼^to? 3?^ cto i ▼TTOf f^XfTOsRTOfOS ▼'TO planiling4? ?tsTt^ C^ I >il¥ W? ?▼! C?C3 TO ^TOl TOT? ▼ItTO ¥f??t?1. ?Tfv ?1 nf??T? (tor? ▼!▼ 3T^ 1 ?T;m? «rf?«rr7T tf?T? &C?TO* ▼TOtV? ?C5^ I C’tT^^f?? fWTt^t ?CTOC?r? ^5TO? '▼ItfltV‘1 C^T?T? ? ▼TTO? TORT ?1 f^xf^TTO C?T^ I C?f3« ?i:i? TS flTO?! ▼^31 ?T? TO ffcann to 31 ^r?T<:¥?«t l ’TOf? ▼tff^T ^3 ¥3, TOr'f^T¥C¥? stTO IJi *9 #T?¥ to 3TO5 TO >4?; I^Sc^%t¥ f5fC^? tjT#? ¥C? f33 ▼¥▼ ¥?C3 TO WRIf I f^ji?¥iT¥r? ▼T?j1WT?rR? ¥??R ¥?r® TO ¥3 1*>2 ▼¥? I Affiliating Uni^rorsity? CTO Unitary University? ®’fi:?tR3i ▼7t3TO ¥(?▼▼<} iftTO ¥C?C¥?i ?nTO ¥3 <W TOtr Pto ¥C?¥t f^ji?fTT¥? ▼¥C¥^ PtTOl TO I ¥f?-f^, fTOl-f^TO, ^▼fro ▼^^f%, Tr^f3 4¥ 4¥?i fro fym ofsto frf?? f?f^ f?i:3 TOl ▼ncf? fiTO f¥| TOfw? ?nTO TOci ! yen ort to ?iTOf TO ® ^ riTOT3 ¥C?r¥l ▼TORF ▼¥▼ ¥frS TO c?¥ C¥flPc*rt¥C¥ f^fro ¥?TO ftfir? tpR ¥?i:3 to i TO ▼ITP ¥f5ft Sw C?¥tl TOOf C? VPtJ ¥CfC¥? 3T TOf¥¥t '•¥«? I f^X* l¥nmnHr ffiro^ to 4C¥TO cfftt , ▼to to to ?it, fro or TOFitv TO TO CTOTTO TOf ▼! TO ¥1 1 TOlt TO TO 00 TO I fTOl-TOfTO ▼▼TOl? CTO TOTO TO TO CfTO TOIf TOTO ¥1 1 #aTO mTO fTO TOl#t TOIFH ¥11 ¥*¥ I TOR ITOTO TOl# ¥tf¥l ¥¥l TO ¥PC?T1 CR ¥fl \ DEMAND FOR GRANTS. 41 ft¥ff sitw Cl fw wm 4 m ^ curtt jci»wcitir"t w i cT«ff#t ^ cwisK iiwfTOi iw»n ^5#tf wc^ ^iTcw*f cf ¥f*rfT® ififrti citfj *nr i ifafftif f^rfti *ttfvn5 ctfn >nrr f ‘«r ^n i fu ▼fif , ?«»!tfir ¥M, f¥iititinf^fi>T:ifi4<srs ^>*ni ^ gprm fif ^ n ^ ^5#t jrcT%r ‘f^ iti* i 'svs €hi « '3iT¥fiv5 ibw »mT l<ifi f4¥ii innn ^iTw ’pfi 'flprcn i "Q ^rn^n ofcii ’kv f¥*m itt^ iUft*ifi jfe r^ i fVfi ^5l> ▼irs ?ci I iT3mn f-mi im ir$ nm fV^n tfrjrs Svr to tpi Sw iur tf tt^ I 4W5T7 *nrfrf 4if ^IMrs 4i: 4^ ’iffwnc¥ wfit# nv ^CTII ftj fi^fm 1^ ir^mi wnr >r^ rrn nfi‘r5 1 ^ w if»'« fTfti .•c¥« I f»T«nR f^TfTi »npnn >nrfiTni ton icihf circ^ ffcntiP' i 4^ *41^6 Prf>5:»r4i ▼lOTn cnrcn wrnr i 4i recommendation ^cnrrf ▼fiti toi ^tnrtwn cnm irr^ n 4t?5 i n? ffinr tff^i rcFf irton 5Tcn i f>m inr«f lww>m« ^ *nfimrii m I 4n^« cntc^? 4i w:i top i ^rf^R incoi t?rfi wjif itnrni frnm or'Siti , tr^ nnii I frwi ^^nFin rcn 4it cncm >rtfi«»!ti i^rwi jpRmmr m ffin ftim «rnrr ifi ctqti ivv vci nc^ i ftaim W9*tw nrrfi/ cn^in ^nr, T^n' «rtfii ftjc^ rci i nfVi ftarcm w^rr ci nffTir fffw ^ ^ to ffci ntonsn i irrf ▼ nton ir (?rtn tff^ ▼ctpt c-n to TO CTO to ^5rc»R TO totni torn to to to i tog* cwnti tff^TOTn toto new \n»TO to? 4-f®-rn-wtt '« wtot c^im wtonn c?fn »^3 wm? wte?? i iro? cro torn wT? fw nrom wro cn »mc# >r???r? w?to i ^fsTws nfiw^nm m tot? wtw ^TW ITTTO ^nWlR 4W5?rlt 5T^ 4Wf^‘t‘^, toft Cl 4fto*^ 41*1!^' 41? 4^ ^5^ff? >n?n 4-5 w?i ^TOR TOR? c?tc^n-TOn iwfrr cTO tfnn wfwr? inn tor i 4 »nr# ?cnl r?cwro orm toR 1 ^n*Tff??i tocw to? fnwr? wtcitw? innitro? wf^cTO itton? 1 &|>plied chemistry tot? CTO TOtnt c?^ ^nniRR? wnTOf? i ficTO toR rtf? wr?T c? n? cf«?i ^TOR Piiw wr ntro ^ ?cn^ ^ro? iT?m 1 4?? wfscnfcnw TO «fTlt TO n^nr? fTOR TO nifw 1 if^wf? ?f%cw? w’TTO? w«n nni ?cto : 4?: cRi ?f? c? ntinn itwr^ft? cr?^ ?iwr^ jnf«pr ^ ?%w? c?<t WTO WTO I "TSTO WR? ^tor TOftit tfR^w tom cTO to? iRrn TO I 5i80-fi5 TO |>mR to tfRto few to?i an .> ww, iRrfiw fR sXi' ^ wn, ■ 0 w?, TORT w' ^ 4Vs ^tonw TOTcw ^ w? i n.’wn nfto? cro to cnl? i to cwu CTO, TOfw, 41? fw ^ inrtfRTt? ^nnTO? cucici it^nt? jnnwfc?? wrri wro enfriR I 1 toprw to « to? to? to ^torc?? ck? wrts we? 4?: n wto: we? ^ro? WTO I to? m ?Tw^w wR m to? ??i? c?e^ tocw to f?? ( few? c?^ ir^e^, wRt fwew? m ?to i toi to:? wRr *tww wf??#? wr 4W ?rrw witT? i itirto « fTWR TO wtw 4*5 c?e 9 froew c? ?f?w ??Tf?cwi new w^ to mwtcwR wtw wfir? WiHR wnr ^r%itw I ?f?Tto ^ TO torew w^jwtto; wcw fto? to w it c ’g^ we? i 4ir wem ??wr we? wfwtft wRiewR i Whr wter? ?rf??R wewr tr^ gr w few wRx ^to? wrte^fft? ?Rt] ?Rr5 we? TO wft? ffeann ?^ wi fwcwt wrw it%? to wte? i tfwi 's TO w*w^ ??few? fwwR ?iewR to? ??rw fit v? i 4t w? ??Tew? ow? ciRi TO WW ?WR TO TO? TORR W^5f#Rl I ClTO !fRtoF toRR CWJW TO TOl CWTO ft to wtwR ttin witwi cTOiw w toRe w c? 'sn ww#^ i fwto wt^ w wwirt cwr cwr tofcwi TOR? wtwittff cTOW'frwweww fwwR wwwi iww cf^i wt wwtwwwi fi wi wwew ^TOw wrtf w^wto 4ff% WWW wi I 42 DEMllfD fOM mAltfS. [14m Sept,, ^^*mr «itw <?f «nrfi %fw5r (?rffOT^ i ^ r ^ W(\ f-rfrjf ^-stTw fm ^xym \ ^ w f^ *nfin fk??? I c?ni, ^ wrcfft^ (TWtn wfS'sTr^ W'n’TTS TOO? I cnffeir^ ^ i Techiucium 4 ? ftar 4?i crm ’TPrTt? >T^firt:? i *ftc?rtf^ f%3?r fer ^raim ^ wt^ftc^i «ron:^ wifintr^^n c^itfOT^ fiT'tR *t^pm csrti^ -n35¥?i »o, c^^fts cf*n I *n:^ ^ c’lc^, fWR? c^f’^yrR? 1 ^ fixffi "mw ^f? cwt^tfir c?^?n ’rt^nr psrri ♦rff5f4r^ I MAULANA HAJI MUHAMMAD QUA8EM : Speaker ?cmr. ^ Cf ^tFTm 1 ^ 1 ^ CTO TOTl 4 snr ^Tt^l ^ TORf ^ 0^ c^ Ir* TOrt? ^ 5ltCW^ TO C*f3?n ycTO C^ fr? ’t? TO¥ ^fTOl ^'TO TOn?i TOfir ^ *8&i ?fTOi f^5n ^8^ TOmm ^i mror yc^i, TOT^ tffv f^*tcHl ^rtTOl ^StC^'Q C^ ^T^l TTO TOC^ I TOtTOJ 4fTO wtft nf Fit c^ c?J? ?rimi ’ifti f%cn^ f^n:^ to^t 4^; Old scheme TOW? ?RT TOIfl ^i ?TO TO C»R I 4?^ New Soheme4’3 C? High TOW? TOW c»f3?i ?r5c^ VQ ?c?i 5T?i ?^TO tr^ cwTO c?<n m ^i8c? Girls’ High 4?: Junior TOfni tcto ; ^ ?wn TO i ?r5?T; Wf? w-n ?ff? c? Girls' High 4?; Junior TOW? wm TO TOn TO? TO ^ ?mi toct? i WTO ?^?i TO ?fc?^? c? frot? ?«TO cnjwi twitro TO ; to TOif c?tiii ?i, TOPt^rr I 4 wft ^15 TO ?5TOTr¥? 1C? I fV« WTOi fF^n ^TO c? ^rcTO? 'mnf TO? ?’r5 ?^T TOr* ; wcto fW cro TO i www cto cf to® toto? tftTOR i 4TO TOTTO TO ®m WCTO ^ ?? TOW CTO ®TTO ®m TO? 4CTO TO ^5^ TC? 4»Wft Culture nnrrcro f%®? toc? ?i, f^ ®i csrt'l cTO jTO i TO4? wrf? ?lt towtc^ wjcit? ’fir® TO c? r®f? ?rTOT? tff® m fro? to c«r 4?^ TOwufi! to ?nTO '^TO® ?r3 TO TO ?W r®r? TON ?1TO TO? I %?? TO Wf? TO? ?rfTO TO ?T;TO WTO wnTOt 4t r??® All India WfTO^!. ScTOl Conferenee4 WTOl C«fC?C?? C? 4¥?l ?TO W? T? wjrfv TO ?1 c? Muslim lx*ague4? 4¥^1 !fTO TO? Wc?? ?TOr i WTf *!*>? TOTO 4?^ toTOl frocf? Wtn? ; 4?; TOT? T5 WcTO WnTOl TOC?? feCTOW W^WC?? f*t¥C? W^WC?? ??C?tf?®l TOTC? I W’fHfCT? TO CW? ®W TO^TS •l^Wf ?? ?tt I (TOr^ WTOfc?? ¥®TOnr? 4¥^ w ^rora w^rf# to ?i i ws-s? ?ff WTOW 4 »WC?? r?WC¥ neglect WOR TOT? TO ®{^TC® fTOf? ??rCTO TOTl f¥ TO (W^l WWTTfl 4¥^, WTC® WC?? I 4?: ?T?^ ?#1 ?CTOTO Cn^ fw« Wf? ^^CIT? wfk c? ?tc? Arabic fnfro c?m«nr Rro tff® c?? ▼??« wrow w wn ?? i 4^t? tff® it fro 4W ?ff?tc? TOW ?WW«f? Old Scheme, New Scheme 4W Girls' vunior 4W High TOW, TO® ?TO¥C? ?fwftf?® TO TO? TO TOW WTO? I t?t^ Boarding4f ww wnw to?¥ ttm to toc? fVi tow tow? w?i Boarding C?TO? WCff? C?TO? wt® TOW TOW We?i ?t?i District Board4? Wcf Wc?f? WC?’^ fkcl? ¥? wi ?) I 4tW!n Wf? ?t?ll? ?fl ?CTOC1? 4frc¥ it W¥^? Wff? c? WCWf ?t»WC®t Boardings? ?TSW Wc?^ ®tc»? iw {%f? www swtfi to ??lcw? ?t?w ¥#? i ww wro 4?? ??c?; W?? tV| ???!? f?? I Primary ?ic?3 WTO TO ?W? Wc?? ?c?c?? i c? ?fCl Wl? (¥| ?»rc® TO W I wf? TOW TOTO ¥CI¥t ¥?1 ??TO I WH ¥ft 4 ??C« 4¥lt ?W??I KHAN BAHADUR NURAZZAMAN ; TOtli Speaker ?CTO?, WTO ?1 ?t toto ?W ?C»r. npTWfir it4TOi¥W?wwi TOwfw??c® TOW?®:iftw?tm<fc??l^ft?n¥W,l%ttW^ DEMAND FOR GRANTS. 4$ fifftf fim nf 5^11 4tJ! ft¥! fro r«it fffti 4 >ra ir^s wm ^ r ! Univewitvc® ^^Tc:*!twi ftnftf i wwwi w^ fro Wt cH^ fw 4^ ▼ti wfif cf *ftr» w ?n Tcwf c»T inn ’n. f-w *n:^ ^ i ^ ^ ^ ^^t=r5i Btfii. wmi c^f^. wn fsftwm tT?h? ffir, ffi ^ftiifwi C ifcv *r^ *nn?i C4 ’f^n ^ ft;»n ^ f»r:^ csti ▼wt^, wnm ;iWrv ■tfim yfc tl C^l *f^T^ WWfl 3Tt5 ^THTfl 41^ irt '4^^ ¥ft"- I ^ 4 l ^ * ^tVtf ’Ki'f 4 fT^l»^^t 4 5^4 I * 4 tW -fl^R fiirs C 4 t 4 I C 4 ^ ¥C 4 »mi» itfirs to fm M 4 fv»n gwf rw 5 fTii cM>TOf Tto to cn^rs TOfi crow Rt w cro Htn ;n f TOTO ^n^n «rr TOf tpro^ * 1 ^ ^cto Tti toi cfi*) f «ffi to rt i I R ^ Infective f^i i af] 4 ¥Pi Admittwi fact wfTOl r-TfT C^t'<PI Tto 4=!P. Pif ^ ?« *TO ^ C?t*T it:»fi I ^ ^ n;ciTr<r 5 to TO ■ ir 4 ^ffi (’omraittiH- TO Kcport r;j 5 i 44 t c>iP Hci^rt injmcfl flTO rpin ‘’infR i wmi ’Tf^r C 4 c»t ▼f’* o'-r. 4Tim:'»’! s?tt, ¥TO5 !5^f% Jirt, ir:tr, 5nt, cnw^rt toi cto Mit r. rtropr i n TOmn nrot C^5 TO 'IVH sTf (TO 4tf1 tof I fvi 4? Cn 3irJl fTOC*. CWM jftn psTCtr?.? to 4 RT JTft ^^1 OfS C ^5 C 4 4 TO C 4 TO, C»r TOf CTO »r7lf ^ ii^t C 4 mK'^ c*^.i Sjj to, ^ftf^ cn ’ttn limini c*^ii yc^ ^1 1 TO’fi ^]. 4 RTcrif c'afff TO m to; 44 ; \ 5 tTO 4 t 4 i 4 tsii 4 yr 5 xitroro 44 t >rj cto ’ffC'i’ C 4 srot csiti ▼?¥ 4 ) cw^, rs f44R €nn c?rR 4i c^, c^i4 tot^ 4^i to: 44 i toto ctoi tf4i f, y ^to4i 4C5T c^ »r4 =yz yfl '.n -f^i to *n. 4f«fa ^tRirsn to C 4 TO* TO 4 4 C 4 i Pjh iTm cnMV.^ cnt TO to i '«r. 7 Tt.iT CV 1 cw 4 T;»ti Ofx-nr < 44 !*! 4 C 4 i! C 4 -!'>, 4 TTO TO TO ^4 ni. tRITO 4 ^ 4 , 4 ¥ 4 r 4 4 TO ’yRff 44T4 4«!441 I 44* ^47 CTC'R S*t4 TV ^ RSc^R V41 f^To? ▼yrs tCRI I 4414 4f^ yro 4C5! ^1 4fl I 4!TO wIt Cfl*^ P5fl 4Cf ^( 4t;4! TO ^4 Fff I ¥fCVff 1 ¥f< 4 Pl I f¥ 'TO 5 t 4 TO C 4 *!") TO! TO V TO ¥!t 4 4 ) i 4 !?!t 44 CTO 4^5 ¥ 41 , 44 CTO C 44 '^ TO 4 t 4 ¥41 ; ¥t 44 4!;41 TO 4 C 4 i *lf ^4 wIt 4 CTO 1 TO 4 C 44 Tr 3 TO (% ¥C 4 ¥l 4 !t 4 i TO ¥f 4 r 3 TO C^<\ TOTPn 4 t 4 ( «RTTOC» 4 l 4 r 4 C 4 ¥' 3 ;frl 4 T 4 TOl, TO CTOl, C^WT TO fTORl ¥C 4 ; r¥¥ mm C 4 r 4 ¥«r :¥41 41 R ¥C 4 ¥n ¥T! 4 !r 4 ¥f 4 ¥fC«. ¥'5 aCTO 41 ¥15 441 R 4 yCTO I 4 f 4 ^ C 4 ^ C 444 T 4 r 444 44 ; ¥m C 44 i:t 5 TO, ¥4 4415 , ¥94 44 C 5 Cf-A ¥44 f¥ ¥C 4 ¥41 4 !? I C 4 ^ 44 rTO 4 ^ ¥ 4 l 1 ¥tC¥t ¥! 4 tTO TO Sohoolfl 4 lf 4 t;f!llt, 4 tT 4 i 4 TOn 44 4 t^ 4 rt^ 4 f 4 C 4 !fr!T¥ Schoolii % ffTi m ¥¥ 3 : Matriculation •rim ^f4 Reader, ^f4 f^npCT c¥T4 4? 4t^ y«4t 44¥T4 44; c4^ 4lTOf cftroi C4i*t Mark^ 4 H ¥IC^ to i i^rii 4 CTOl to fw 4 fCi Matriculation 44 jii ^ TO fit 4 rTO 44 *. cicinn W 4 ¥r 4 4 H 4 to, C 4 f^ c 4 r¥ ¥( 5 ™ to 1 44 DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [14th Sept., nil inw ircfT ^ Tfs? ff€ti i »rf -sr# ^ ^ c¥ff c¥rt? ^ orrw c^r (7f »rfci c^m fimr^ Account ^rtt, c¥W *rfw»t3n ¥1^ cm ^ ^ 3n, 35T TO sn, c^-ifsn i ^ Jr^f^r atf?n ^ shf ^fTO rm TOTff ®tvnft toftto m i mm cm rm m f$ f^, 1^ -ns TOW, 1^ 115 TOif^n, 1^ 1^ stTO win? inft to w^tti fwE ^a:li fro TOi CTO, <4Pi m tfwi c*fi, 4TO 1TO rwi to? w?j, w% wwt, fwf wn Vffw I wlcwt wftf? TO tni mr wm cro School, College wto ??, cm &m WTO Tf , 1TO fWI TO? WSTT« C5?f? TOt? I ?rr3 CH ?1 WTO (71 1TO l^f? wmrw I wtf? ?mici? i?? ?ifi i wrf? ?nft frofro, ciiro ?e citw wmto ?cto '4?t? If ?t?l frocf , C? WWJl fw TO CTO 4fR?1 Wlf^Rl I m Wt?f? TO ?? c? ?fTO^ fMw ?7tf? frocl? C??? ?'CWt?f *»?▼!? If? W.171S 1?Jf TOm *f?ft? I Wt? WTt? ^1!)^ wn ^??tf» 1TO ?TO ^ I wmi Cl>?? wf? C? Wf??l flf^,— ( Here the member reached the time limit. ) Mr. Sptakfr : You have reached your time-limit ; please sit down, HU8AN ARA BEGUM: Air. Speaker, Sir, I want to draw the attention of tlie House to the condition of girls’ education in Bengal, especially in Calcutta. There is a dearth of girls’ education especially Aluslim girls’ (Klucatioii, in Bengal. Lucknow in the United Provinces is (juite a small town compared to Ualouttu, ibut, there they have facilities lor many colleges and educational institutions for girls. The girls’ schools and (‘(illeges in Calcutta are inadequate, for during the past few years the Muslim girls are progressively coining forward for education. At present we have only two .schools, the Sakhwut Memorial High School and the Suhrawardy Memo- rial School which is a middle Kuglish school. The M. A. 0. Girls" School, of w’hich my humble self is tlie founder, has been transferred during the war emergency period out <»f Calcutta. It will he coming hack to Calcutta by the beginning of next year. Now in these two schools there are many girls who cannot get admission at the present nioment. So I would request the Hon’ble Minister to give special attention to tlie cause of muslim girls’ education. The Calcutta Corporation to whicli I am thank- ful have given facilities for the education of girls. But that too is not sufficient, although they are doing their best. It is the Government whom 1 ask to come forward and s(dve this prohleiu. It will not be out of place to mention that we have at the present moment one training school for Muslim women students in Cab utta, and even that Muslim Primary Train- ing School which bad been working in Calcutta has been transferred since 1942 to Suri. I do not know when it will come back to Calcutta. It is a g reat drawback to the training of Muslim girls. I would request the lon’ble Minister to appoint a women educationists’ committee which will be able to solve the problem of girls’ education in Bengal, and I hope special attention should be paid by tnem to the selection of text books. So without wasting the time of the House I would request the Hon’ble Minister to Lave a women educationists’ committee as soon as possible. I would like to mention that Miss Gupta, Inspectress of Schools, had done very great propaganda about six vears ago in forming an Education Week in Bengal. Then there was an Education Week — Western Bengal Education Weelc — in which much work had been done in bringing eoucationists from other parts of Bengal to Calcutta. I have spoken to Miss Gupta about it and I lave been promised every help in this matter so that we could have another propaganda week like tlat in Calcutta. At the present moment, everything IS at a sUndstill. I, therefore, presume that tie Hon’ble Minister ’would pay special attention to form a Women’s Committee of Education, Mr. IBRAHIM KHAN: Sir. I am afraid 1 shall be failing in my duty if 1 do not support every word which has fallen from the lips m the honour- able speak^ra who have just discussed before me about the insufficient DEMAND FOR GRANTS. 4S ^vision in almost every branch of education in cmr country. Sir, I ahall take much of your time by speaking on a number of suDjeota. I shall wtly invite your attention to the sad lot of the primary teachers. Con* fences have been held in subdivisions, conferences have been held in dis- Icts, conferences have l>een held in provincial headquarters. Deputationa ive been sent up, resolutions have men drafted and forwarded, and all lese possibly have been relegated to the waste paper basket becausft we find , effect that the worse than l>eggarly allotments that have been made for le increase of the salary of the teachers are practically an insult to the ijurv on the primary teachers. It is a standing refiection on the intellect lal leaders of the country that they have jwrmitted these primary teachers I rot in the condition in which they have Iwen f»>r years together. I think aless a definite assurance is given by the llon’hle Minister in charge that iomething more will be done than what has been provided for in the budlpst for bettering the lot of these primary teachers there would be a definite revolt in the rank and file of the primary teachers. I would next invite your attention, Sir, to the very insufficient provision for the supervision of thcvse priinarv srhools. Most oi these Sub- Inspectors, so far as I know, an* engaged in doing more clerical work than inspection work and it is a universal complaint , at least in my part of the country, that no education worth the name is being imparted in most ot the primary ScloKils in mofussil. It is. theref(»re, extiemelv important that just as tho proHjiec ts and the salary of the teachers should be improved at the earliest possible opportunity so also much more efficient arrangement must be made tor the efficient teaching in the schools that are already existing in the country. Next I would invite the attention of the Hon’hle Minister in charge to the primary education among the girls in mofussil side. Some years ibaqk a ftcheine of co-education in the priniary H< ho(ds was formulated and enforced. Itightly or wrongly mofussil parents have practi(*ally declined to send in their girls to primary schools for lioys and it has been seen for years together that the scheme has not proved a success so far aa (U)-eduoBtio» IS concerned. The result has been that where formerly some independent primary girls schools existed, at present though general scdiools have multi* plied in number, those for girls must have multiplied in the negative side, and it is difficult to find a free primary school for girls in hundred villages. I feel that that scheme of co-education should be abolished and separate institutions for the girls should he provided without any further delay. Next I would invite the attention, just as a learned and honourable friend has done before, of the ITon'ble Kdiicution Minister to madrasah education. That education is being sadly neglected. I know that in answer to this complaint the old tale would ne told and retold that there is a shortage of money. I have never lieen able to appreciate the worth of this kiu<4 of contention. When there is a war in the country money is foi'iid from possible arid impossible sources and in our country ours is a condition of war — war against ignorance — and as (»ur noble Prophet said centuries ago, of all crusades the crusade against ignorance is the noblest, we should take up the question of education in that spirit of crusade and should be prepared to find money from possible and impossible sources. We cannot rest satisfied like “progressive realisation of self-Oovemment" of Mr, Lloyd George, with the hope of progressive realisation of educational ideals. We cannot go to the grave with the holy consolation that our great-great- grandsqps will find primary education universal and compulsory in the country when grasses will grow on our graves. We want to see the thing before we go to our grave; we want to see that our country has already made rapid progress in the field of ediicafioii and in the field of progress. I therefore once again invite the attention of the Hon’ble Minister to the imperative necessity of making immediate arrangement in all these direc- tions. With these words, Sir, I resume my seat. BSXAND FOE GEANTS. [14th Sept*, Or, MOZAMMEL HOIIAil : fmllrSpeiUuirfcvtTf, *bto iffffi iffcff wi TOCTi? c¥ipn ’rfOTTcff nfiNtsf *n^ 4 t; '* 11^ «!i fw Ftfirs m \ 41 icf im^f lit ici^on fiici ▼(! 1 tjnf ic^n 4^ ci constituency flltci 11 cwin fintci ifr cic*rcfi technical iiwi oreifi iritiv iffi n n ^sfiar <w»nt f^fci ’fr? ifn i !5tvrlt n engineering t$t fcti ifci 4rfi fifTO sffti 1 cwn frlfci constituency ftrifrf !fOTf cw»ti h constituency cieiTi inffi mil, lfr« ^ 4t sTvTit n Engineering itti fw !ft« icij *lTci 1 4fwn it cien I 4n Mj icii Cl Cl 11 ^ ^sini 4in wm ititm iwfri cim representative ci OTff fell elev 4t5;f^ H. E. School t5c^ 1 cn school yfl lrl50 5T^ lCl'9 ^1 4<R9 Itlfll 'll'K Wfit Iflfir m 411 f% 1/150 4fVi¥fi Cl n school affiliation c'tcici ci? il school 3 grants-in>aid n c¥ti ififir ^tti ift f linen icu fWi 5t^ i^r^m school tif»i tnf<ir imiT •mr ^ firi ifr5 4 ^ ^jt irci^ ^nfi initi fi^i ilt lymcn ^ 4 MI ▼fi, C¥ill ifOTfcn cicn representative ^i¥ 1 irtlti *t^ilt in 11 i c '^T Cf i ^ 4ffl Hi 1 ¥11, Cl primary fiiiTrcii CT313 m 4111/^ i itrs free primary frvi 4fFCl 5f^ w m WIT wffi wnn vs wfirfci 1 Mr. TAFAUAL ALI: Mr. Sj>eukei. Sir, this moinin*^ 1 will confine inysell solely to the problem of junnary etlucation in this Tn^viuce. 1 will delilxerutely refrain from speaking on secomlary education, because I nnderstumi that legislation for improving the secoii(lar\ education of the 1‘roviuce is under the ('ontemplation of the Uovernnienl. 1 will jiresent, Sir, only three aspects of primary education in Heiigal lieiorc the llouse! Broadly all the lionouruhle inemhers will agree with me that the sponsors of the J*riuiarv Education Act had certaiul\ in their view free primarv education in this Erovinci*, hut as a matter of practice 1 have tound that the primurN education that is beiii^ imparted to the province (d Bengal now is not really free. In spite of the fact that tenants have got to jiay tax at the rate of di pice u rupee they are not allowed a free i»rimury sclidol in their urea until thev construct the building at their own cost, iuovide for the furniture and all other instruments necesssary lor running a primary school as well as the land. After they have imurred all the expenditure they are given the privilege of having only three luwlv-paid teachers, pnerally half-educated teachers, to teach the hoys of that particular insti- tution. 1 uni speaking from the experience of my district among about two thousand free primary schools opened in my ‘ distrit t— it ha.s not lieen po.ssible in any one case to open a free primary school solely at the cost of the District fvdiool Board of Tippera. Another aspect of primary education in Bengal is that supervision that IS exercised on jirimary education is hopelessly inadequate^ In one parti- cular police station there is only one officer to supervise the priman* educa- tion of 70 to ^ 100 free primary schools in that area. Since one Sub- Inspector of Schools has got to supervise so many whools, it is physically imp^sihle for him to keep an effective check either on the attendance of teachers or on the attendance of Imys. As a member of the District School Board of Tippera I have found that in many cases unfortunately neither the boys nor the teachers do their duties as efficiently and as faithfully as are expecte<l of btiih of them. It is bound to be so due to the sc;ant supervision that is exercised on these free primary schools. I do not know whether Government have yet thoi^ht of any scheme for exercising more effe<>iive supervision' over the running of these free primary school in the ruial areas. The tkW aspei'^t that I want to place before the House has been referred to by two honourable spe^ers, namely^ the low wages that are being offe^ to the teachers of free primary schools. I would not call it “pay”; I would 47 16.] DEMAND FOR OEANTS, $ it wages. The result has been this. During the pre-war periixl we, iirticularly in our district, had beeu able to attract a good number of iHitriculatea to work us teachers of free primary schools, but bt'cause of the mr these matriculates have been attracted to posts of better rt*muuerat ion [ue to the opening up of various depurtments both* temporary and jH*Tinuuent the Government of the Province as well as % the Central Government. Hie result has been that it is very difficult to find «nii at the pn*sent moment me matriculate even in five scho<ds. I hapncu to be <M»nne<‘ted with one ree primary school directly, luHause it is iniucr the (\nnmittcc of Manage- nent of a Ifigh English Sehm>i ot which 1 have the privilege of being ine President. I can say that it has l)ecn impossible i»>r me to find out a nafriculate to serve in this free primary school section of the high schiH>l, because of this low pay. Government have g(d to take up these tJiree things immediately. First of all, Government must make it really free and not mddle the poor men with another burden of finding out the land, the house, the furniture and all other instruments of the instilution. Seeondly, [foverument should find out a more eflfe«'tive method of supervising the running of the sch(M)ls. And last but not the least Government shoiila also find out money tt) pay better wages to the teachers of the schools in 4»rder to get the best of them and in order t(» attract g<M»d workers to work in these free primary schools. Mr. SHARFUDDIN AHMAD: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would only say a lew words aimut primary education. Of course many aspects (d this pro- blem have been discussed here, hut I would only say that like* the lloly Homan Empire, the litM* primury education that is now' in existence in aome form in this province is neither Iree, nor compuls<»r> , nor is it any iMlucution at all. Like the Holy Homan Empire there are only three words and three mistakes. It is neither lioly, nor is it Homan, mu* is it an empire. It i«. exactly like that. When this matter was taken up by the sjjonsors <if the Act as just now suggested by a colleague of mine there was certainly the idea that primary c(Iucali<»n in Jlcngul should 1 h* overhauled thoroughly. That w'as the idea ho far as 1 remember when Mr. Arizul lla(jue went on tour in the districts of lleiigal and spoke about the subject and that was jtrobahly at the time of Mr. Xazimuddin when he was an l•'xecutiv^‘ l‘<*uri- L’illor. That wuh the idea which w’uh expressed and given to the rural areas of Bengal. People fondly hoped that they were going to have a new system of primary education. With that idea they took it up. And everyone of my colleague.s sitting over there will, 1 hope, remember that primary edu- cation was allotted to the district boards of Bengal, and the educationists of Beftgal, particularly the experts, used to describe it as a fifth wheel ui the ilistrict Iward machinery and the main idea was to remove that fifth wheel from the system <»f education. With that idea u new IkmIv, a separate body, was to be set up to look after [iriinarv cducali»»n, because the district boards having done tfieir other duties and having given their attention to public work/i, medical, health, communi<*a(ions and (Uher things had practi- cally no inclination to devote them.selves to the spread of jirinuiry educa- tion. From my personal experience of one of the premier district hoards of Bengal, I can sav that when this Primary F.duration Act was pushimI, one of tile educational experts, namely, Dr. .fenkins personally approached me and he placed before me the very same idea, uamelv, that they were going lo pelieve the district hoards of ftengal of their bunfen and they were going to give better and more efficient education. With that idea probably I w‘as the first District Board Chairman in Bengal to agree and on a careful calculation a sum of Us. 70, (MK) was set ipart for the district of Mymensingh for facilitating that scheme. Mymen- ungh was the first district which came forward to accent the scheme. 8o far as I remember I also as Chairman of the district board supported the idea ind promised to the district^ that primary education was going to be free, Mimpulsory, more efficient and more beneficent, but nothing of the sort has yet been done. For more than ten years schemes and senemes are going I 48 DEMAND FOB OEANTS. [14th S*pt., on but nothing is being produced. Of course, we hear that something is going to be produced in the shape of exi)enmental compulsion and it is yet to be seen. So far as the system of working of the Primary Education Act is concerned, from practical expenence, it has been seen that School IJoards have been set up in most of tbe districts, but the executive of those School Boards are fettered by official, I mean tlie District Inspector of Sc hinds, who is the Secretary of the District School Board. Now the Secretary and the District School Board Executives are always at loggerheads. The Secre- tary seldom agrees with (he non-officials and their ijuarrel is going on. Again tbe Sub-IiJSj)eetor8 of Sehools are under the control of the Secretary of the Ilistrict School Board. They are permanent officials of Government, and they hardly listen to the l*resident or the Vice-President of the School Board, The result is that bills are not drawn up in nroper time. The Chairman passes orders but they won’t make out the bills for six months. The j)(M)r primary school teachers are not paid more than Its. IG for six montlis together. It is really a very unfortunate position. To get pay so late is equivalent to no pay. So things must be imnroved. This Secretary business should be finished. Non-officials should be made comi^letely independent. At present they have nothing to do with the control of the Suh-lnsnectors of Schools. If they have got to work under the District School jloard, they must be pla(‘ed under tlic control of the Sclnad Board Executives. So in order to achieve it the whole Act has got to be amended with a view to making it workable. * I would, therefore, request the Hon’ble Minister in charge of Education to go deep into the matter and come up with a suitable amending Bill so that all tbe anomalies may be removed and the object f()r which the Primary Education Act was passed may be fulfilled to the satisfaction of the rate- payers of the province. MOULANA ABDUL HAI ; wm f-rwi ’Tfci pcvn? inf’ll education ivn 5 cm ww 'iTc^TfFTi i (7f^ fiwpj fwf 51 ^ 11 1 will ^ ci cvr*ni fir’rm n mil wmm ii c’^FPrl'i (71 ’ffCf C<ftVl ****♦*•♦ cffiTi *f^ ^ I cKi Cl fifw?; ci>rat* c*nf ciifw or? firra wnr*! cwnr*? *f?05 ’n vi wcw i c’fg’rj wm ci - <iTiT C T i if’nflv fTi] lit ivm 'll fmi CR 5m m vt wm ci district m cn old scheme iWn m 5f05 ’fWif cv^m m old scheme mm neglected mat i Misiwn, citafcn !ff% mimt’l cit i irrr, iimti mtflpmti, irunm * * ** * fifn ititfrf flip I mw wmi Of *tTfmTcsfi w^n *tff?FTm wci mi oriTf wci wmf| cmt*! iffvwcw wtitcn follow ’sro in i ort ofTim fTftiw orm wit ci ’nir old scheme mm mn. jffirj fcsf Jimwfi itcwit cit mmn wu ^ *npn m wn n nt i 4 xwi on mm, fimr wn ministry ministry 05 on vH m cvmn ? • ^stim wtm ficwR inu ci ^ oftwotm wtfn^ ^cwtj •im wci, 40ff cwm afwlt mit wim ^*iti ifTitwi ’T?n 'Hi; witw mwi 'nwir wnm nwfi?. ntff5 \ ffi ^ iti w^ w c wi mm wii n, ci wncwi wn m wri cm wwTO Cl itmi om 4Wt inmw m, cnt iiw cmn. rni old scheme mm wf*f otcw *tH wm 5tfi cit f wtwcw m iHn frci 4 ^ iftn it*m wim fprn Tcii fwi m *ftT? cit Bfni wncwi orm inm wfi i wiw nwrsi riot ^icff mw mm owes *nf5f ci mttn fwirnm wwfit wits m, 4 nra to « wro to- fW fifi iWit wen wtem ci 4^ f%| wiw 1946 .] DEMAND FOR ORANTS. 49 tftn college w fi ^ ^ t*r¥li Tcw;— old echeme srfifWi cw iH TOf vffVw ; 4^: TO ’TTfV CTO, TO crH cfft wnm TO wfrs TO m, 4rv TO f^rcror TOrs to to c>!t to»« to i ^ fl " f Plfr C Tff ^ ^ CRT ^ C^ csll TO*? TOfCf ^ TO ffrn TOTW TO«^ C^ TOTO TO*! 4If: ^;ID CfTO fTOlTOt (TO f^*! nm I ?T«iTO? mfTOTO wt%?irlt Jit minfetTT from TO4 t 1W1 TO TO C»lt TOffTOf fr r i T c ' f ' ^ !f^ TO fro 3nr Tfstro toti vy*? i ’wfTOi^r f^ir cw ParliaraenUury Secretary TOCF? C’fTO TO»?! Parliament^wy Secretary ¥fft TOC^ I bluff c»«?n TO (^5 *T5 1 Parliarueritary Secretary Of niR fewn Tn ^TOi nwci (?r wif^i i ff TOc*f €tcv oaca wtfm TO TOi rv *if? TOTTO TO7 fVj TOn *!i ▼^n crtc^i r jj fwn ’eniTO !3'tTOt r*r? TOii*! vtU ^C'Jt'! ’fffl TO^ ^ TOiTO OQ ol<t Mchcmo ^t»r>n TOl TOff TOl ^fTT! TO ’TTTO inSTTOW! C<r*! »niJ TO*? I . Mr. SPEAKER* 1 undcrsfaiid that Mrg. Auwiua Khatuii wants to 8|)cak. She may speuk now, and 8hc xiill he llie last speaker after which the Hou’ble Minister will reply. Mrs. ANWARA KHATOON : 3rf.T4h S|wakcr xcTOff : ^tthr RCTOfl fTO »rfcf nihIP hrroPT fro jrTOt'i tor-i -rsrj ertrsn c*! 5?rr»n to- c^, fif*! fiRTf*! Jiv. ^TtciR >rfca f^ri hi i *ntc^ TO« rti® CTO I fVi ^.z C*!. ^:TO totT’^ CTO TOfP CTO n'preaenta- tives diHtricl4? TOr, cjrf^ OfT'W xirh distriotij otCTO?! FPTC^ high school 4*1: M. E. school TO TO? I TOTTC®''? ratio w^TO TOms TOTc*^ ’ftftfi Population toto «rt^TO c?ciwi tfW wrirf' -fVi fro crom TO^ «tt c*!ti tfr^rv diHtricU wvs; JJTfl* to Government Imys’ school c*f^ TO ^ TO^ta *rT^ vrir c*! boys' s(;hool TO? totj: T5Qf^ Government girls’ sehexd TOn TOTO i CTOC«nr school ^firc^s CTOC*R TOTf TOff^'n I girls’ 8ch(x>l ^TOTO CTO tea(]heriiw iiTOtTOni TOTO CTO fnfw5! TO? TO I *!? Post Graduate^ CTO wTTO f*mt w*n TO? I JiVy c?«RT wff? A. D. P. I. for Mohammwlan Educationu? ?r^i «*!!? TO B. T. ^ CTO c*!Q?n TORI wrfjf TO? «ij? Huggestion cf^ c? ^ C??? % C5?*!^ ?rw?m Backward Community? c^rCTO? wm Jit TOT! TO! C? appointment 4^ ?Cir? ?Cff B. T. ?H ?to TO I TO5 TO TO 5?iT fV TOT? ? Rtf? ?l? C? TOm:*R ’JTO?! c? ?r?? TO=!r f C? CW?1- C1C4 6^ c?t ?nR TO^ cronn s c?*t ?c? c?r5 TO? i c?t ?r?Ti Sfrj i 4 ?: TOrro Jit c? cto p r school Kbt\ district 4? ?c?T 4? c?R justification c?t, ?R‘t tfc^ cron ^ 4*r crom tot wts; ?to ?r?T? school toi TOnr i c?t TOH OR CTOTO TOT t?fV >R?T? school ^5^1 7? 1 4? ?i?tC?l toI? | 4?^ OTTO? minister 7f cTOtc? ?TTO to 7? c? cron 4? c??! r?j «n-n ?f05 TOi *n I 4f or fit tot to i 4 Tto? 4? tor Tii« Hon’Ma Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOtAIN: Sir, I am grateful to my honourable friends for making very helpful suggestions in ihfc course of their speeches. I am grateful to Dr. Malik for putting for- ward important suggestions for eonsiderution of (lovernment as to whether the medium of education, both in schools and colleges, should be in the same language and whether different languages being the media of educa- tion are not responsible for the worst quality of education in Bengal as compared to that in other provinees. Sir, that is a very thought-provoking suggestion and it requires very careful consideration. It will not do for 60 DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [14th Sept., the Bdudation Department merely to consider it, for it will hare to take the opinion of the Universities as also of the public at large in order to come to a decision as to what should be the ineaium of education and whether it should be in one, language or in two languages as it is now. Now that we are proceeding towards independence, I think very shortly we shall liave to do away with these twii languages as the media of education as is now prevailing. Sir, Mr. Bahar has criticised why nothing lias been done with regard to training of nursery school trainers and teachers. 1 have to invite his attention to No. JtG of the Development Scheme \\ljich deals with training of nursery schoid trainers and teachers and two women tea<*hers have been sent abroad for special training to hturt nursery institutions liere later on. Sir, many of the speakers have spoken alnuit primary education and that on two or three hea<ls. One is the low pay of the teachers. 1 have already said in my opening speech that the pay of the primary teacliers is going to be substantially im^reased, and 1 assure my friend, ^Ir. Ibrahim, that the increment will he at least three times of what ha^ been put down in the Budget, that is 22 lakhs. It will come to about u crore. As regards the (|uesiion of inspection I have also dealt with that in my ojieiiing speech. *1 have said that at present on an average a sub-inspector has to inspect 100 schools in addition to his clerical duties. As has been pointed out by some of the members most of the time of the sub-inspector is wasted in his clerical work. AiTangeineiits arc being made to relieve him of his clerical work. It is proposed whether they sh<mld not be provided with clerks and whether immediately tbe\ could not be given an assistant Bub-inspector to help him in his inspection work. Kveutuallv our idea is that not more than sixty schools should he in charge of a sul)«inspector of Bchools in rural areas. AVith regard to the efficient w’orking of primary schools I think there ahould b*‘ good ins[iection and it is by inspection tliat wc exj>ect to improve the quality of primary education. The question ot buildings and furniture has been raised by my honourable friend, Mr. T. Ali. 1 admit that primary education is not now* free but the reason for that is known honourable mem)>ers. I am not responsible for what happened previously hut I may tell the House tliat (bjvernmeiit is now' going to undertake compubory free primary education and they will have to look properly after buildings and other things also in that connection, flovernment cannot sit idle. They will have to make arrangements for building houses and other things. As regards Mudrussah edueatmn some of the hoiu)uiable members have referred to it by saying that Madrussah edu<‘ation has not been properly attended to. Sir, 1 am fully aware of the problems connected with Madrussah education. Just utter assuming office I called a special con- ference of Madrussah U^achers in order to find out what should lie the proper syllabus and the future scheme. The mutter is still under consideration and I think within a short tinw* we will be able to come to a final decision. But before we come to a final decision we must take the Muslim members of this House into our confidence. The whole thing will be jdaeed before them and the final decision will be taken after eousuUation with them. Mfi MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: What about the Tibbia College? Tilt Hofililt Mr. BAITED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIM; It is not a subjei't of the Education Department. It concerns the Medical Depart- ment. I mav announce here for information of honourable members that we have at last decided on principle to accept the Moroin Committee's recommendations and that a sum of rupees ten lakhs should be set apart for the advancement of Muslim education in Bengal for a number of years. As an earnest to that we have only recelftly, only day before yesterday, decided to allot four lakhs odd for the remaining five months of the current DEMAND FOB OKANTS, 61 1940.} financial year for advancing Muslim education in Bengal. Side by side, Sir, I may say that we are also going to include the education of other bacxward classes, for example, the scheduled casteR’ education. The st^heduled caste students are alrt^ady in receipt of five lakhs 'annually and we are going to increase it in order to accelerate advancement of education of that community. As regards the Budhists we are going to allot special grants for the advancement of education of that community. As for Anglo- Indians I have already mentioned in my opening speech that for Anglo- Indians and scheduled caste.s ue shall provide increased allotments for the advancement of their education. These minority communities which are backward must be helped to the best of our ability. Sir, Mr. Md. Habibullah Ch(»wdhury has raised the miestion of the medium of instruction, and also of the language in the text-books which is so difficult that our students in primary sclu»ols are not able to assimilate them properly. 1 think it is a very important question and we shall seriously take into consideration whether a committee of expert educationists should not be set up to see as to how primary text-lmoks are to be composed in future. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Are you going to have such a committee P The Hon1>le Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN CHAUDHURY: I think we ought to. In this connection 1 have just said about the special allatmeni for Muslipi educqtiou, and I am going to have an advisory committee which will consider as to what amounts should he siicut on what suhiects. As regards the constitution of that committee Muslim memhers of the llouw* will be sufficiently a<'(juaintecl prcviouslv. (hit oi |hat fund it will la* possible to give special grants for Muslim hostels and for ooor students. My provi- sional idea is that at lea.st 4,000 primary scIum)! students should l>e given the benefit of this fund in order that the brainy students may be able to go ^ to liigh schools after finishing their primary sclimd course. Unless we do something like that, we are m»t likely tt) get any student from our Muslim community. 1 think 1 have done with most of the points which have been mentioned. One point has been mentioned by Mr. Nuruzsuman that there should be some agricultural course prescribed in nrimary schools. I think that is also a very neipful suggestion and we should seriouslv consider it and see whether text books dealing with ordinary agricultural problems should not find place in our primary school text books. As regards girls' schools, we have already made provision for training of special teachers for girls’ scIkhiIh and two special training c(dleges are going to he started for training of girl teachers and with that object in view some women have sent ahroan and we arc going to have a Special Deputy Director for Female Education. We have deidded that there should be a Special Deputy Director for Girls’ Education and there should be a Special Assistant InsWtor for Muslim Girls’ Education in order to pay particular attention to tliis matter. I think everyone of us is aware that Muslims are very backward in female education and it is, therefore, very necessary that special efforts must be made to bring our females to the proper standard of education. I welcome the suggestion that a committee should l>e set uji for consider- ing this female education in all its phases and I propose to set up a c<immitte« of that nature within a veiy short time. The women members of this House may rest assured that they will he taken into confidence at the lime of setting up that committee and considering the [lersutinel of that committee. 4^ As regards percentage.o£ female students, 1 think we should try first to increase the number of female students as much as possible. For the present they are not meeting with any difficulty in getting seats in colleges 52 DEMAND FOB GEANTS. [14th Sbpt., or schools, but the principal difficulty is that owing to poverty many of the S 'rls are not willing to go to schtwfs and colleges. Special allotments for uslim Education nave also been made and we will now l>e able to grant special scholarships to poor and meritorious girl students so that they may get the advantage of higher education. As regards female teachers, as far as possible every effort will be made to take female teachers, but, at the same time, in the interest of. teaching we must see that a proper standard is maintained and with the establishment of the girls' training colleges, I think, this paucity of Muslim female teacjicrs will disappear witriiii a very short time and we will be able to supply a sufficient number of female teachers for the girls’ schools. Sir, with these words I commend my motion to the acceptance of the ITouse. The motion of the Ilon’hle Mr. Saiyed Muazzamiiddin Hossain that a sum of Eh. d,4(),20,(K)0 be granted for expenditure under the head ‘‘37 — Education — (Jenerur’ was then put and agreed to. 37— Education— Anglo-Indian and European. The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOSSAIN: On the recommendation of His Kxcellency the (iovernor I beg to move that a sum of Rh. 11. (i9, 8(H) he granted for expenditure utidcr (he head “37 — Educa- tion — Anglo-Indian and European”, Sir, I would like to speak after hearing comments fr<»m honourable members. Mn. E. M. RICKETTS: Mr. Sp< ‘uker, Sir. 1 would like to draw the attention of this House to the fact that although we are very much assured at liearing from the llonide Minister for Eduoalioii that tin* amount of the grant fixed lor us is going to he somewhat ln(■rea^ed. yet a‘i a general assurance is not very satisfactory I wmihl like to imuition soim* .i ilu* j'.irti- eular diflieiiltieh under which we have been labouring. Our giant was fixed JO years ago by the Oovernment of India Act as a statutory minimum. Tins fact, howu'ver, seems to have been ovmlooked and eaidi succeeding Ministry bus regarded this amount as a .statutoi> maximum ine.s|)e( tive of t^ lact that the purchasing power of tlie rupee has lessened so ci'n.Nideiahly ainee the time this figure was fixed. The very small increase shown this \ear has been explained as an adjust- ment of arrears of maintenance grants and dearness allowauc'es whicli couhl not W drawn in lOtu. I would ask the Jlon’hle Minister to take into consideration the increased cost of living, the excellent lesults prmlueed by our schools and the fact that although our grant remains theoreticullv at its minimum yet in practice we are receiving much less than was originally onvisaged by the (Government of India Act . because although fees (>f our Goveiumeiil schools have been increased by al>out 50 per cent, during the war. these fees return to the pneral funds so that our grant even in actual figures is about 8 lakhs less than is shown on paper. The increased cost of the maintenuuce of our two (lovernment mIiooIs is more than counter- balanced by the increased fees paid by parents, which fees, however, benefit the general funds instead of ours. Moreover, the total grant made to non-Goverument .secondary schools has, for .some mysterious rea.son, been reduced th..s ^ear. In order to keep to tUe spirit of (he statute by which our grant was fixed on (he average expenditure of the ten years preceding the ^Ist March, 193d, our budget today should, like that of General Education, he fixed at twice its actual figure. We do not grudge others an increase — indeed we feel that the budget provision under the head General Ediicatiou is still so inadequate that it will do little to meet the vast needs of the province — ^but when 51 J lakhs are set aside for a General Development pre^nramme, we hope that ample and generous provision will be made for us under this head. DEMAND FOR GRANTS, 53 ►46.J Education is a living force, it must either develop or die: it cannot t^^main static. Every Government which professes to follow a policy of justice and equity must provide for the development and improvement of existing successful undertakings on a scale commensurate with their mccess.**' The question of inade(|uate salaries of teachers has already received the ittention of this House. 1 would therefore only ask that provision should ilso be made in our budget for an increase of .salaries. Teaching has never >een just any mans job. It culls for sjHjciul (juttlities of luind and character vhich, though beyond nrip, should not he t*onsidered unmarketable. If ioverument is interested in ensuring that sc1uh)1s are provided with the ;orrect type of teaching staff, it is indeed essential that salaries should be ncreased tlm*e or even four times. There can he no future for an edu- cational system which does not amply protect the interests of those on whom its success depends. Judging by the list »if cut motions circulated to members, it would api>ear that there are certain objections to separate provision for our edu- cation. 1 would like to remind the House that tliis is no monopoly of our community, for special jnovisioii has always been made for Madrassuhs which foster a type of education quite different to the rniversity type, prevalent in the province. Moreover, as our schools <‘utcr principally for Anglo-Indians and are staffed almost entirely by us, they are not in the strict sense of the word European schools — though the culture* and style of teaching, in keefiing witli our origin ami history, is Juiropean, adajitud of eouisf to suit our needs as native's ed India. AVith the introduc'tion of vernacular as the me'dium eef instruedieui in schools, and as I m>\v he'ar pe>ssihl\ in e’olh'ge's, the- provisiein of separate .s( liolastie* instil lit ions for our e'oinmunitv is even ineue neee'Msary than in the past. No (io\ernme*nt, no indivielual who profe'sse's to ri'spe'el the rights of minoiitics '‘an nutot the* aholitiem of se'parate* institutions for us. Such suggeslious savour ot intedeuant elise riininaliem ami are d(*stru(’tive mid dangerous. Kducation in tlie English language, in se liools of the Kurop(*au t>pe. is our hirth-iigiit . It iiie'aiis ineire* lo us than titles or fortunes. The moral and intedleetual training given in our .se-lioeds is generally the euily inheritau(‘e we are able to pa.s.s eui to emr chihlre'ii. Government grunts play a small hut essential jiart in this invaluable heritage. More tlian 50 per cent, of the high cost of inuintenance of our hcIkhiIh i.s nu't by the high tees wullingly ]>nid by our .self-sacrificing peojdc. Insufficient money is wasted ihoiiey ; our grants hear fruit only through the whide-hearted co-operation of Aiiglo-Imliau [larents who have always spent more on the education of their children than they can really afford. Finally, it must be remembered that our schools cater not only for the Anglo-Indians of the province, but also for other minority communities such as the Arnieuiaiis, Jews and Pursis, who together with several hundreds of the majority communities, appreciate the type of education we provide. The future of India lies in her schoids and we bei^aiise of our non-party bias are eminently suited to serve India educationally, culturally and socially. If this were more universally realised, every right-thinking per- son would join with me in pressing our claim for more generous treat- ment as s<M)n as more money is available for educational puifioses. In the meantime, I would ask for an assurance from the Hon tile Ministfir for £duc.ation that our needs should be Iwrne in mind and t^t he will insist that a statutory minimum should not continue to la? misinterpreted as a statutory maximum. Tll« Hofilito Mr. SAIYED MUAUAMUDDIN HOttAIN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am grateful to Mrs. Ricketts for the suggestions she has made in her speech. 1 have full sympathy with all that has fallen from her mouth, but I must remind her that she must also remember the conditions of Bengal DEMAND FOB GRANTS^ Sbpt., and it» financial resources. As compared with EuroMan countries the proviiiion made 4pr education is considered by her to be disgraceiuUy sinali. 1 admit that. We cannot i> 08 sibJy maintain the European standard m Bengal, but at the same time we fully realise the importance of the speml allotment and of Hjjecial necessities of the Anglo-Indian community. We know that education is not only for culture only but 99-9 per cent, of it is connected with the bread problem. Unless the Anglo-Indians are properly educated and made fit for taking to professions, they will be a burden on the State. So it is the duty of the State to see that they are given special training, so that they may earn their livelihotxl and live us honourable gentlemen in the State. With this object in view^ we are making special provision for the Anglo-Indians. A reference has bwn made to section n3(J) of the Government of India Act. It has been said that the minimum fixed has been adopted as the maximum. But, Sir, I should remind you that it is not at all so. The minimum according to calculations would have been Ks. During this year we have provided Rs. 11,70,01M). That means we have provided Rs. 40.000 more. Of course we understand the growing needs of the increasing population of this particular community. On account of the increasing population and also due to the question of inflation in the country, they require more allotment in order that proper education may be imparted to the boys and girls of their community. We take note of it. In future we will try to do much more than what has been done hitherto in order to meet their wishes and in order to help them in educating tlieir children on proper lines. With these few w<jrds, Sir, I resume my seat and I commend my motion to the acceptance of the House. The motion of the Ifon’ble Mr. Saiyed Muazzamuddiu Hossain that a sum of Rs. 11,(19,800 be granted for e.\j)endi(uie under the head “*57 — EducatiiUi — Anglo-Indian and Kuropean” was then put and agreed to. 11— Registration. The Hon’ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, on the recum- raendatiou of His Kxcelleney the Governor I beg to move that a sum of Rs. 01,50,000 be granted for expenditure under the head “11 — Registra- tion”. Mr. FAZLUL QADIR: Sir, I wish to make a few general observations on the administration of the Registration l)e|)artment. This Department is the most neglected. I do not know whether the Hou’ble Minister takes any notice of this Denartment. I will say one thing for the infonnation of the Honourable Members of this House that the appointment of Sub- Registrars ha.s been held up for u considerable time now, and the public in the province are suffering a great deal. A large number of sub-regist^ offices are closed for want of relief offii’ers. One Sub-Registrar is asked (o manage tw’o and sometimes three offices. What is the justiffcation of hold- ing up these appointments, and make people suffer? They are paying money for the work wdiieh the sub-registry office undertakes to do for them. The section 93 regime did not pay any heed to this Department and the suffering of the people. This Department, Sir, is treated very shabbily. I draw the particular attention of the Hon’ble Minister to three points, ri*., (1) the appointment of Sub-Registrars sliould be made immediately; (2) the requisite number of reservists and relief officers should be appointed so that one officer has not to hold two offices in two places; this inconveniences both the parties and offic^ers; (3) the members of the staff in sub-registry c^ce, particularly the mohurrirt are very poorly paid. Provision should be ma^e for adec^uate remuneration. Sir, even the dmprasis and other , menials draw as much as Bs. 35 to Es. 45. Compared to mis the DEMOD FOR GRANTS. ((ft e ij of the mohunirs is wholly inadequate. Will the Hon*ble mister be pleased to enquire* how much teiu})orary clerks in Calrutto draw ar average remunerative? Is it sutlicient to maintain themselves P If not, what is the jiistiticaiion for extorting hea^ work from them and paying so poor a remunera- tion? Sir, with these few words I resume my seat. Tha Hontila Mr# dOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, (he appointment of Sub-Registrars is almost complete and it will he finally made very soon. Regarding the low nay of mohurnrs attached to sub-registry offices I may assure the Honourable MemWr that the matter will receive svmpathetio* consideration of Government, and the other points raised by the Honourable Member will also receive due consideration of this Government. The motion of the llonTde Mr. Jogendra Nath Mandul that a sum of Rs. dl,5C,0()0 be granted for expenditure under the head “11 — Registration" was then put and agreed to. Adiournment The House wa^ then adjourned at 12 iirnm till 2 p.m. on Monday, tlio loth September, IfMO. at the Assembly Hmise, (\ileut(u. [16th Sept., ProceeJingi of the Bengal Legislative Assemblj assembled nnder the provisions of the Government of India AcL 1935 * The AssEjiBi'Y ni<?t in the Asnenibly House, Calcutta, on Monday, the >th September, nt 2-20 p.m. Present: Mr. Speaker (the Hon’hle Mr. Nurul Amin) in the Chair, 8 Hon’ble dnisters and 133 members. Questions. TN Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Sir, may I suggest that in view I the thinness of attendance of members, particularly of the Opposition, the iiestions may be held over for the day? Mr. SPEAKER: Is there any objection P Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJI: We agree. Mr. SPEAKER: The (|uestions are held over. DEMAND FOR GRANTS. S-Industries— Industries and 72«Capital Outlay on Industrial Development. The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAMSUDDIN AHMED: Sir, on tlM‘ re(‘onnnendation f His Kxcellency the (iov(‘rm)r 1 beg to move that a sum of Us. 1,24,92,000 e granted for ex])enditure under the heads “4d-lndustries — Industries’* nd “72-Capital Outlay on Imlustrial Development*’. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURY: Or: ’TTH. wr v-5g^ snri iiv n^ni Wardrobe) S'® ?n ^u yc^i 4^^? fv ftvi > cvfg ^ 5?rf vcvcvi =^itv vtrrn? V*fl rnr i ^ RRv. cmpi (?n Orem i vgmn cwsttu vw vmi wrftv rtf«t v’^i jfT^sTpr w m s w cmi ^ivt^ ngn T»rfV*». ?»rfvc^ vfwg?T c^T ir^^n verf^ st? 1 m irjR \ \P\ »rT5TwT4rc*nt R-srs'-t ^ ^cm.— ^nr vc*n nmcv ^ rem vc*ri'> ^^>pn<R i Rg?^ vtR¥t vtTO Rem fWv jew wtr I fRi e vOnir^ ^ vf*t^ vmn m vrev i cwv Rai*t VC? mew ‘average Bengalee to-day carries his entire wardrobe cm his person’ i ^g^ v;t^ •srv vT^r^ ?pnrrj veil few m m Se^fw ILvimt f 4V |vfi vft^ wr^ftev fvro leiev ^ ^ vtci i froimRi w ^ ^ ^ fw ^ cw «rTei » fkRi "^v tm cvf ^ om f^vci ignif tftiiwi w evtS wr vmew i Rev if cvrB w \ ^OeVti VV brftW tol ITR 8V CVfg VCW TO iivf^ DEMAND FOR GRANTS. 57 ^ 6 :] ifw *Ri ft wttirfw fcir%W5T--‘*Rii|«fR oifs c? f wc^ fifgnr^ ^smi’ i iro iff fi *m wai fvsrrjir citw wt, tjW afc¥ i mvnm oo trw? JT't Jim ^jNft m cm VI i»nr V sr¥ *^0 vrwm i ^ vf^srrv cv 5rfv«n 3 Tv -rmi jo ^ vr^irm rv i 3?vf^ <v c¥m fir^v -w viz ‘'trsra vv vitcv i *rvt^terv 4^!ftt vvck« ^r5im“-fvcTO W 4 ? ClfF^ «RTTV Vtmi?r ^SVTW -jtov C’^CW I 4 f ftW f¥ C^tClfti vimi f c’ftirff f^ fVf fart farf i m ?cva| cviTl mtrw VI iurrri?' ( Expert ) wmr*ff i vrfjKiT fiv’t ^*Trviv vF’ff vi<>TC»-{ I v;viFi:‘fv v?^'> ^Hrcvr?^ Fiscal (’ommisfflon m Tariff Board, Lac UeBoarch Iiistituto, lioard of Iruiustrial and iScientitie Iliwarch, Bengal Induntrial lioard, Survey ('omniittw, Post-war flc'couHt ruction CV)niinitt<*e, Ikmgal Technical jEduoation ('omrnittce •Tr*ii W C*fC^ I ffV ^ vns oFr:^ vf9T] cviT vj 5x^5 <irr-»ri»i vrtsn wrm fvsTM -sfc^ m JO 4? TV vwt 0=^ r-rcs^'tv S^jir^T u wvnrvtvMv tprvtv^r fvfftvtv a>^i 4^ fvsw T5 TTv cm cvi'f Tern’s vTjrsrrvTe^r ciTvc^t vrmr i ttw cr-w^ tv: 5V ’ Tvet err^pr ft^cv Pr?^ rv, cvTPtt ’ifvr^c^rvi TsvTv rt^rrv •nve^rv rtpn yvM Tcre^r vrj tcvt vrv Mc’f i Prcei^fji vnn fmv Tt^ tvi <lr¥5 vtv rvfifi Ttv-t Tfv '-tTc? err apTtr niv ‘iv Ttwr Her i rrerp Tvrrwv fn^TF «rt<tf7 Trrv ^r^rcT-T Tte^ft cstev fi»n Prote'srv T^irrv Sr’t^i i o< cTff^ f^TTfv rfre-rf:, ^Pti cvrrciT c'fcvi’s X- errfli flo vf^rfT (''teves jo errf^, cvvte!? r-fF<t rvtv :rr3j j errf ;.8 f?rTi i f-nr’P'iv crrii cv e^-t flTc*fi w Pifkv Tfef m rrere^ Pre?^ 4 c*j^Tr «fvr^‘Ttvi Trrrrr vtrr< vs vvrrrrv vrerefr's crvri; Sericulture, vre^v Heeding Institute, Textile Institute, Tanning Institute, (’eramic InstituU^ijv wrr vrpp i 3T5T^i 4VH 5fr3 nmcvv PtHT Pri?fl 4at1TP!f Tt^ jfTrrr TTvvrvTv t'i Tcrn^ rr:^! v-rrm cw wfr-*rTrvtrfl S^m ♦t^tr^^.^oo v^'vrt^T TT5T Tc^ P^T'^Tm^rr Tmvtw^i 5m^ 4vm *r:nvv Prvv vf 2it n^vr!; 'dfe erfr ewr^- 3 TPt (T^Jjvi rim I ^PfTS rn<lT ^err nrrT^*n cTf*tTS t rf^smr rtrtnr <sof Tt’fni^r T5 t erm? i ^ewr tcvt v^rv Tfr/4 irot frr crcTi?i7t revPpr, P^ rjTrcrr wstc^ 4 «P ttt *j:crv i vrvrm 'iPry^rtv rirsrrv Tt^n^v Txrv rt^ri rt^inr TMi Tn %v1^ I r :nvr Pm nrrrtrv trmm rirm vit'iinr vtvtv tR tthi i vn:^ Wt vTtTir rtoi PfTv, ^ s g-Rtren v'^r-^ rev, 4 Tvn ewers ’srs’i arrm ^r TV anVTT spindle (vfT) mattr w^tt PP^ Tcrcfri vewr vfevfe^t PPg- m Pn r^r Pr^’f esmi vcvcsi wt*n tvi PtetrpRr vttwfvs ^en mv ^ Pn:?<iv c^ ^ reri Pi 4 rf:Ti mrv<jv*f TcrrPi fm tfnrrwrr anrevTj rs t^’Tff^rrmrcvei, ?3^Trnrnf r^r^rrii. m wttij, ^ 4iTm- pv, Ttti revel vrwww; Pi rvP r^r Pe^ Ps *nRi vr^^vcir rnr vwi wvx 5100 VTn Ttivpn rrP vev% i Pn 4 *sPeT irlt Pte^ ’fPfr twtv ewtr wtcvtwv crii vim an i m n errt Iffriv wtrppn vrtwi fen w;n wmtv Tcvei i Pi ^ 4^3 Ttv irftstev 5 ^pfxff«tw wP i 4 Tti vpv Pev 7 vn^^ nPirv rev i jvo »-80 lev vTtiffv 8 <b nwn ^ fiP hfit rcvfiwi j» 8>88 vev tzH reiei vm J 8 ffwiv vw- VTvti wmv ^ Pp*f levef-^tstftv i ^en vw * rmmt e ti wtvr vreiti cview nfin wwv tTvcvct%i fcif *tev cm fmtv ip w vvPv Pe r lewei i 68 DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [16th Sept., JWf TO ^ «Wir«T iff*? I TOflff s cfn^yfTO:? to W5 *TO i «r«( ^5#t^^IHta Ss^rtr crm fj?f ’ft I TO i»>»fTn ?n‘t fro c’^c^ w fHw cim^? C^f?R I TOf^y Jlin 4t I ^5iy ^ fro CTO c^ ♦ncf in ^'s^n c^ m to ^ i TOfm Rehabilitation Scheme ( ) TOC^ '9^1 ^ I <4«ftr=rQ c*rTO ^ i ^t ^ TOi 5?;? ^fir HfQT^ TOf TOV CTO, rsm fro^ (?fp{ ^ I *^cinw nfTO«J TOTRl TO5 ‘Planning without tears’ TOTi v'n m TOC? I i5t^ *ffTO^ <BnTOTaiT? ?m ^r?r?TOT? 3J5 ^ I 4? w^rr '*rmi^?tTO to ’irirtrot^, c^rtTOT^y '© <i‘fiRr^ ^^yf^ C^ttpfV I TO! TO !ffTO*r!r cim*! I TO TOt «ftTO f^, ^ f^— 4«fTO wt^ TOfro *ffir‘r55 tot^ tfi i ^ wnfy^r TOf 'G I ficTO itr;f jr ^ i ':>^ObO^ TO ^6 CTtfS .'>C0,X^:& ^ v tt ^ g m fwf%? ?CTO f^n TO tfT^ TO? fronl ^r^nr g TOi*y ciro i jq? cjn*! totj cto ^tot«r^ ?> ’n I OT® ’rWTG TO 09? cTOM TOWr to ^rtro^ i ’itc^ ^ froci^ •rtfin ^;»n toft? tftri to^i ?:? «[? to ’To ^ i ^:c?^ fro c’Fm ^TOtBR? cf<fi TO? 5n I ^^9ftw fli«1 G ▼5TWf<ff3n ^tc^ 5ck? ¥2TTOTr^ CTO TO I fV? Tt*tc^ TO ^tvi G <(,»Riv ^tc;? Sck? I ’rrui tots to i f-rc^ fro fro <13" fro TO ^fTOl ffJTTS^ TOTO 4? Rc 3^ sjc^ts wmi TORF f^tTO ^ ’^f? I CTO^ TO^ \5lTO^ CTO 5bO G^t ?55n?C?® f?<TOW CTO mvS^ CTO ^TOH G*! C?1*y TOTO TO TO I C^ TO 57 TO TO ?I CTO, ^3TTOn, G TOTHTO, TO?1 8^ TO TO ¥9rfn5i G CTO ifru I >5? wfTO wrus TO I Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Mr. Speaker. How much time are you allowing iney Mr. SPEAKER: T eii minutes. You hare spoken for nine minutes. You may speak for one minute more. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: I want five minutes more please. Mr. SPEAKER: If you can profitably utilize the time I have no objection. I^y^f G TOTTW *trfy WTO tf^TOI TO ^ ’[pU TOC? I tfff wi iTOfy wtc’t w^y^^ Siva Samudram Hydroelectric Plan^ ttf^ TOC?i va?^ CTOTS WT^TWft TOT? Tata Power System TOlw tf^TO Pykara G Mettur Scheme, c? TO 4? TOfci wn f^TO ?tTO? to ^ >iito? CTOITO^yUS ^nTO C? twjT'^WfC’fl TOt«R 9C^. G1 CTOG •gf '® ^ ^ fw irTO ?r?TO wriy w^rf^ftro ?ftf trrocw fTOtft® wtoto, 4^ 4i tow wm TO TOW TO TO Cftfirw G !fTO !fTO fTOwfTO ^*^5 WTO TO wtfll TOfWT® I 4? * ftfy C?l^ firtn TO ’ItCTO ^ S^ffw i flTOt TO TO ?lt?ff TO (?rf^ TO ’ftcTO fiTO 8^, Wftf S^flW, iftTOTO-SjlW I 4?=? fw •ffITO TO #y?*r C?tCff I fW TOW. fW^, TO, ffTOS, TOH, ft, TOI, *fHW1, 'dff’tai Iwnfir ?? ftcTO TOC? TOit I ?twtfG iTOf wtk cfTO TOii Iff ?t;?fif ?? wro i 4HlcW WWIfW *lc? ?tl TOW I DEMAND FOR GRANTS. N6.] 59 3ftw m nit i fi»n from fkitw ttrs wr cfGtw mm Cl ^irin Substitute { f^Rn ) wvb ntn i cm ctrt fin, jntrm ^ Turpentine wtflfl fufin !fT3 vu w c«mTn fotf i «mnff Blaok apan tfmtfit *{1 fftinsm i Jit c^smi film affcn* ^ ▼ITS irtni innnr cn m «rRtff. m\ tfam mnwtf vv$ nttfi mntf rtH r^Toin cnt? i iims ii^ jjrTtn i [iKiu8trial»ation4i ^fl^<fVnc^ 'mwi ntft iti mntt m ^ ^ifnc?ni foi:? f*rcir jjc*^ >nm ’rfrwn res m I ifvnr? fisn Prottni infin rri in 3 ¥ft«riTn«fnc¥ ^cmcntcunl rcf c^'^m I « ’Fl^fnc^ ni^ic? nRwfni rtffs if »inr 4 T fw ^mi%f enm orciT nriTf jflf^ fr^ nrti mRi 1 ^;cni fm »wiTf Ti^n m(nrw irimt enci iJcnc^ 1 it:nw empn ^ tirtm fn?n fiw inn 'atcfj entn, fnm. 4fi, ^fii, :ir3i fwfn 'Q fTfi c» w mi fifi cm cir^ cifim fnif ait ftmu r ufim n mra nra j[?ncn 1 ^t^iti m iw^fl -ji '<i ifwi unsu 1 ficyn? cwzn ntm^rs: n*i5t'^n*n iwfi jjwrnm c^ anim 'afnit itti win oiT wf ir^nn fw ![f^^ win mtf '5;fnrc^ 1 Cnra^ c^cn itff i it'nfi fi^n 1 11111^% fimr cft 1 » r-r?n fwfi ri% tern IP ^ r»cm srnJt cici''a ittnn ^nro? 5,i¥ mr 1 oit iTtntn Ticm f*fC 5 fci 1 it^nn fi^n n-nc^ im r’n i ’■rwemen w— wimw mfnci iTtnm Cl fw vatwn cRn nrnre^ m.Fnn 11 cfi^fn cr^n nfl* I jpr-pj if.sTTTf fiynifirs, fnntffi; wn ntiwm '3 tfm *JKt^ wrfhr »mfw 5 nIiTj vm ctfttfti Cl n^n ^n mi, cn niinr it^nn ii^ n 1 tiw ¥1^ ncm lit. f¥i 1C1 im mi— ’‘¥toi niiittiT^cii 1^, nrnwi $t¥ cilitfm” 1 Miuiana MUHAMMAD RUKNUODIN : fi; nm, nrfi ci ainni ftrs fif rfp^ ?tn ntTnirf^ "jirni ^fnr^flcrs nmn i>a mt ^ crfil^v 1 ^^it w c!f*i">t ci n^nti cimo ai¥m m ifirm^ mn 1 m l-w $nit ci mn ir^nn 71 ^ iTtfim ¥11 1 nmnsiti mtmn ifinri ii;nn fr ntfn ¥rffi fiflin mnrm tjtf i¥¥t « 4 t ¥f¥ c!f«rb|v I r¥i m iitnti ^c¥i tm fin mirst ffnffto! tmn ¥Twn ¥fm*i cm m or mi^f n wf^ti mr if ¥nrj mnrwre <^¥^1 mim ¥tin i nunnm i it.*nti mm fiitP ijf ititiff ¥vc¥i ^ ^ it^«% ICIT ii¥ emt^ 4¥inr ¥m m, tficn if fittis, cit irlsfln uri i^n wn \ffi new icf m it^ ¥|ffnR?i mn ’pm nfm ftn cif^ cifir® m, f mt *j^f%i:¥i ¥tffnn mtn fiftcs im nw nf mnti imrllcii fW¥iti mfW fi¥M iwi ^ftfi I ^ firm ¥|firnni cm ci item cm fin ¥%it m fi fif 1 *■ itf, $n?f mitt, m, itii c^ m^ewr ni ¥i ¥finn irpn-irfiewji i’ll ’¥f%- itm ¥ei I m, itt, 111, fm, esm, itf ffmra cm n, ¥c*i cici ittfi mil let I cif ffe¥ mil fkntt nftm ifim cin iifcifnti tfciM ^fi for 1 i^ar fmi mtti wem mn ititw tmi cn**tffi « ficneiitpi ftfVn ffcii. ciwin ^fffi 111 it fUfi mlti mrSf ijiif mil w ncm miei iicfi ft ¥ci 1 DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [16th Sett., ^ »rf*T iw ▼fivi wfTf ^5t5ti ?tTO r¥t •ffsitf w’Ti ^rrm ▼sn^ ^%n «iin?5T w ww^ W5yt5tw cvrtP c^flP 5nRf^c¥ frt?f^5?nr c¥T^ *ftry C¥5{ ¥¥nfi^ ^n, ^ ^5T%i ^ ^ I ^^r5tf%¥ iB’ttrfl ’Tf? ¥finn ^ j f y i ^t^srtsrwff^^r w^, ¥% ?r5r^ ^ ^ c¥^ > pr ¥f^cf f*Nt?r ?7?m I ^ ^ ¥*^1, f¥l ¥% ’m 1^ ¥^ ¥5fir<t^irr¥ 3T^ ▼finn Vij^^ ^fWf¥f ^?rrr¥ >TTn ¥fiTO ^rmi ¥%5 t f% »rff<ra ^ r ^ ¥tfjr arMtii ¥ts-^ wr*nr 3 fw-¥^hc7mrc¥ ¥^ir ¥Mf$c'if| c^, (Tr ^rfirfira- ^ofr*f C5^l ¥f^1 "PF ^5 ¥^^5 ¥5ffl^l*?tc¥ GlotC^ 5“^ *J'*»f ¥f%ai vil¥ ??R nt<R ¥ftr5 *nRm 7 ^ 1 wfSrci: ^ m? f^, ¥l^ *(rz^ ?f%# mi ¥rr c^ ^f^ltW^?, '55Mrf "PF^ ¥?5T ^t3 f^*N I ^ft¥T?r Tf? C^, C*ft^ f*r¥t^ TPm, ^PTYI ^1 ij¥^ 'iJflTf^R ^f%?r ^Tim fT?ri (Tfr*PT ¥5 5&<*f¥t? ¥f^i cwff cFTpri fjpfifm ¥Tfe: arit^cTi^R'^-i ^ f¥¥ c^rm mtz^ pFprn Pf ? m tft^ tfP^ snPmri? tfv^ ^ ^ cm ?%! (Tf*f nPTH^ c*m^ c^tri PRttc-s ^tc^r ^vm ^pRr^^tnr ?7 tt] ^fkus 5tc^ I ^Pf ^1 ^tf^ fifVS li't(,A TiTRl ? ?T%5 'flflC^II ¥R f^We?)’ ?t3^n C5t^ ¥pfn ¥tyPl f «rw?r ^^TW? ^pRT^i ¥vn 3 ¥«fn crrm^m (tj’r *nr<rTif ¥f^iir%3i^ ¥tPr i.^ r-ri ¥f^i Pt^^r toi- ^«(fw*il^ Cl, f^Pr ^ ^ 5R»fT^t?i ¥fi¥fr^ ’rr$i f^iri ¥f% ¥?? ^rr? c¥R ’IT^ 1 r¥l ^ pR^ ¥tpl ¥f% •fji:^ ^f71 ^fsTUi ^K1 C?. ^ w^ f¥ ¥pn:5R ^1 pfj^ 'ifPr^iR jti, w^im f^ ^iR3 OTPt ¥s^ f^ pR 1 cnyPnr^ *;*»! ¥ti ^ Ti:? «4T^, "yriR ttr c^ ¥rm ¥pnn *rt^ w’pruPrrf 4fi>tt<f"i ¥^] sir ^rf^ 1 ^t^r-r 3T^'rt9 Pht^pr c^ PPT ¥/i( PrsTc^ fk^ fiPT ?t?i ^fgtrPT¥ ^’fTnr m '3 nfm P?Pr5 cn fPr ¥pT?nr«R ^fmi BrtPrro ntPrcTR. '5t7i ^ oti 7 ^ ^ ¥Tt]¥ft ¥pnTf? ¥RI OR ¥RT1 ¥¥1 I vij^ ^RfpET ^5t«nr‘5lt‘T^ ¥T¥4*t ¥Pnn ¥PflI C^ ¥p05ff I Mr. MUHAMMAD OSMAN QANI ! Pi "^"PfrTj ^ttp, ^f\®TT^ k'^toR tfps ^IPTorm?p Pn:fw ¥T¥^‘t ¥^ tf^ ¥tp ^smr » r:i f¥| Wn 1 >It*fR<^5I 01 P<fPlR ¥Tc^, ^t05 60 C<tC¥ ¥!¥¥ ¥C^ ^00 5[^1 fT>n?p5 ¥1 1 PFE ¥$TftOT ?tI5^ ^l^tOR C¥3tOI dlBtribution ^StTS C?¥l ^ 01 >0^ c'for ¥01 00 •nioni ^ i ^sr ¥csi ¥f ¥W TO TO ¥tr^ I ^ ^nror» fine ¥f*t^ cTOi ^ ?n i vtc^nr TO7 TOlfS ?OI ^JTC¥ I *tfw<(TTOt’tT ¥11^ W^ 0? fine ’JJSl tfC^ffR 4¥¥l » f ¥C^^ WtOR I pFl ^:OR pRl Mil on^ TO CTO 7m CTO C¥5TO ^ Pr^^t TOOf, ^5105 OR! iftl C?, 00 ??TO1 STO ^ ’nt ^rftro ^tCf %1 C*T*kTO I ¥TO! mfftTTO C?l >Pf¥ ¥H5 TO5Tf ▼Pr, OMiPl 7^7 BO 777 !JV5 77, TOt Olt ¥H^ *fTO *ffPir, 7^ ^0 TOT ^jsnr Of >Pf¥ TO9 tpr® 77, Of ¥H¥ *fTO *ffpr ^ l •plf PmwTO <7 »PTO ^S-TO? tr¥3 TO!, m ¥pr¥ttit *« TOTR BTrrm cto! ^ 51 ^ orttot ^jffkR ^ Ifnn kftthr tttus 7W7 TO! I Pn ¥#3iTO Defence of India Rules TOR OT^ 77^ wtT^ <Ji77 ^iTO CTO 0!«¥i 77 7\, TO cnTOftl TO¥! wmt TOM TO PtCTO I C¥TO«f ^ TO^ W7] TO *fC^ fCTO VOrtl TO¥ TO¥ TO ¥| TO PfCTO I ¥!TO W3 40R STO wtit ¥1! TO— ^ 7m TOn CT, 10 per cent TOf S. D. 0. TOTOf ¥fc^ ftlE TO I ¥tp TO^ RitTORTO fTO^f TO ^JCTO WTfk 01, 80 777 cTO tO TO 1946.] DEMAND FOE GRANTS. 61 ^ ms fwrwin irtm ft ^ »nii wti wwi *1^6— ISY cm "8 ^ ’rorn ; fVi x ^ ^ nrft TC5 ^tm ¥tsrs c»f^ i f%i ^ ftt^fnj 4t wt*?! vi fro*! to cNf^ i ifrtnit 8izo4 ¥t^ *ffir*w ^ TO yrsf i wm x?5i c^c^s ¥«.»r^F t5rf cs^ 'ifi ¥ctor i cwwi ^ cn iroi XJ 1 tfTTO^, (7r$ Wi 4\z% ^ crt »Pfif snrc^ distribuU^ ¥iit^ ®fi!5 1 TOt¥fi irar^ ?^tTOt«ni iifro ‘I* CTOT Jiv. m*«n ?rfr^ 'nr^a c^il X!5t« quot* cTO *trc« m IRT CSh VTOT I Mr. MUDA88IR H088AIN5 Mi. S|u*nki*r. 1 huvt* heard with clo«a attention the Mpeeelies which have been delivered hy the OppoNltion (laughter) on other days — not only this day hut durinjr the ffeneral discussion. But they coniiuit a fundainenlal mistake when they say that thia Assembly is a soverei^rn body, which it is not. Therefore when they talk of nationalisation, they are not within tlieir scope or jurisdiction. They cannot ask the Hon’ble Ministers to nationalise industry ami to naiionaliae everything. Then, Sir, what is the remedy for this state of affairs 1* The British Imperialists have all along been adamant right and left, and I think they have l»een rightly so. (Laughter. ) Sir, the misery in this country of ours has begun from the da\ on which Lord (’live ilefeated Sirajudowla with the help of our own people. AVhether it was a defeat or not matters little. The (’hief Revenue Officer of the Kmperor of Delhi acquired the dew'ani of Bengal. They purchase<l the dewani and ])romisod that they W'ould administer the country according to the tlirections of the Moghul Emperors, but this promise, this untertaking was thrown to the wimls. Mr. 8PEAKER • Plea.se coniine your observations to Industries. Mr. MUDA88tR H088AIN: Sir, 1 was speaking on the revenue position of Bengal and you will reali.se that irom revenue comes Industry, from Industry' comes Agriculture, from Agriculture comes Fishery and from Fishery comes Weaving and so on and so forth. Now', Sir, a ])erusal of the provision of the (iovernmi'ni of India Act, 1935, will clearly show that this House, this Assemhly is not a Paliament in the true sense of the term. It is a toy parliament, it is a glorified debating club, and the Ministers are so many pujipets. They are Ministers of a toy parliament. This is the position I beg to submit. Then, Sir, what is the remedy? How do they say that they will nationalise the iiidust^es, how do they say that they will nationalise electricity and things of that kind? Have they got the powers to do that? Have the poor Ministers got power to do it? My friends say that British capitali.sm, British Imperialism is responsible for this state of things. I quite agree but who brought this British capitalism, who brought these Imperialists in our land. My friends on the other side brought these Imperialists here. (Laughter.) I should ask who proffite^ by the advent of these Britishers and whx) suffered on account of their advent in this land. Sir, I should like you Rj consider what is the remedy for the present state of things to which we have been brought. Sir, as you know, Jagat Seth, who was the capitalist of capitalists, Umichand, the Hindu landlords and hostile Hindus all oombined and these persons invited Lord Clive and they made Mir Jafar their scapegoat. Mir Jafar was nothing but an instrument in the hand of these Marwaris and Hindu land- lords. They induced him somehow or other to believe that if Sirinudowla ootild be removed from his seat, they would make him the real King of Bengal. With this thought in their mind they duped poor Sirajudowla and kill^ him in cold blood and put Mtr Jafar on the throne. But the gpreedy Imperialists were not satisfied even with him. (Laughter.) tt DEMAND FOB GRANTS. [ 16 th Seft., Mfi SPEAKER: Order, order. Mr. Mudassir Hoesain, I hope you will (peak on Induetriea and be relevant in your remarks. Mr. MUDASSIR HOSSAIN: Sir, I am going to clear up the position and I shall prove conclusively that industry comes with territorial power and with it comes all other things. My friends on the other side who are advocating nationalisation of everything must feel convinced that without territorial power they cannot launch on a programme of nationalisation. Mr. SPEAKER: Y our time is up. Please take your seat. (The member having reached the time>limit resumed his seat.) Mr. KHAIRAT H088AIN : (?: I it^i to to i ^ m ^ vms TOf^r, ^ tff^r C5n«f cnn? too?— vrnr cTO^firTOJn OTF CTO OTTO 5n I TO TO *n3?n m, q TOr^ otto Indu8try?r w^rr ^ TO vf] vcTO : to (ti to to? to c^ ^ I cwsTlv nf3^, '3tn, H'si ^rcm ^ tfTO^ wtronns Orfire toi, ^ ’fr to ’r^ TO CTO TOH? 1 « WTO7 tfTO^ fwf^ WTO C^TOTO flrTO ^ WfTO TO’T TO I demonstration ’tTf ' ’5f?i ?!:<fT TO c*rfTO m c^r, w5 trrrro nror tprs jmi i fVi 'sto c^, »pn demonstration ^ cv'sm toi <nrc*nr vfv to wji ^3tTO?^^?r cTOf TO c^ fiv^ufir 4rvTO TO I Tto ’wri wfir ^ aTft^ » 'l >fTO fw»Pn TO%fJr. WTO wpr frotk^n c^, toti ▼tot i wf^ TOW w^iwt^r <w, demonstration l>arty TO TO TO ww frow TOT1 TOTO’T WIR I ^CTO TO (Wfl fTOtO? Cn, WTO. WCjfiTTO C’l TO OPtfr ClfT^ fW %, CTOlTO (TT^Ito 4ffki to fW'sf^r tow i toto onro 0^ fi^isfTOr fifRtr TOc^ I am or ’tto fm ^ c>r^% iTOiw CTO or'm ^n, to cro ww*! cvf^r ^ i tow ^ TOw cm cro Rice Mill Tto ^ to cm c^frot^ W«rn CTO, ^ TO TOTO cwcTO (witnit c7t^ ?’toi ^ I tV« JiTO Rioe Mill rorrTTO c^fw^i TOwt^ tfW ^ w^P!tTOc‘W w<f7 c?ftnrft « TOi TO wtft c«rtn I Rice Mill TOTOw ^TOr cTOTO TOT permission c^m I viW TO m 'flt or ur^t ’^wi To ^ ^ TOn ctotto totot, wrwr cH^ wrrw 4TOTO ^ m CTO I wf^ ^iWorwm ^fir cn, wm ^ Rice Mill C<rwww permission OR TO =n orsm 571 Thf HMi’blt Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED. Sir, many of our friends on the floor of this House have made certain suggestions. Mr. Chaudhttry Jbias spoken out his mind, 1 can say only this. Really the Industries Depart- ment was brought into existence from 1920. Before that time the industries, practically speaking, did not take any shape in the budget. Even up till now, in the shape of industries the cottage industries are being supported. I have before me at the present moment Bengal Government s industrial policy and the India Government’s industrial policy. I am examining them and 1 may frankly confess before this House that I have not been able to come to any de^ite conclusion. As my friend Mr. Chaudhury has suggested, unless the basic structure is remodelled and reshaped and unless the l^ngal Government con take up in right earnest aU the industnal schemes, I do not think Bengal will ever thrive in the sphere of industries. At the present moment, all the large or heavy industries are controlled by the DEMAND FOB GRANTS. k6.] es overameut of India. The Bengal Government only give some money in the tape of dolert here and tl^gre to cottage industries, to some exhibition parties ■ad so on, but as I have told you already there are various schemes. An Industrial Survey rommittee wuvS ap|M»iuled and the committee has submitted I report. A Salt Survey Committee was appoiuteii and that committee has iilso furnished a report. All these things are before me and at the time when I took charge of this department. I thought that the future of Bengal would 8eiH»nd on now the industries ot this province would shajH*. That is the reason whv 1 have not been able tt» eome to any iletinite conclusion all of a sudden. 1 am studying the problems. I hope tiie sugge.stions that have been made in the Industrial Surve\ (’oninnitee's report and the Salt Surtey [ ommittee's rejiort will be given due consideration. My deparfment has considered tliem and I hope very soon we will be able to come to some final conclusion. At the present moment, we have got, as given in (he red )>ook, certain sfhemes about clectricitv and certuiii other s<‘hcnu*8 about sericulture. Many honourable mem bets have mentioned about small eottage industries. As regards the electrification scheme, as I have already told you on some other da> . we liuve alreadN given notice to the Barruckpore Electric Supply Corporation for being taken up b\ the tiovernment of Bengal. Aery soon we will a iiotK'e on the Culeutla Klertrie Supply Corporation to lake it up ami the Bengal (tovernment would tr\ ver\ .soon to nationalise the transport .s\.>item. I do not know how iar we will he able t(» finish it successfully but this will jiossibl) be the heginning. The new electrification scheme that has been taken up starts liom (larifa ami Xaihati ami g(»cs via Hamighat, Krishnagar ami Nawadwip tn Burdwan ami then^ it comes back in a triangular f<»rm. Th(*re are also other scin‘im‘s. We an* also tiiinking of hydro-electric s<'hcmes. But urn all know that cvcr> scheme requires luone\. That is the r(*ason \vli\ I have .said that after the ]H)lic> and the basic structure of future imlustiies of Bengal have heeu settled, the Bengal Government will have to find mil the money, whether from their own ex< he(juer or from the (rovenimetit of India b> way of loan that W’ill depend on the (TOvernment of Bengal. Sir. with these wonls I will .say Indore this House that till the suggestions which my honourahle friends have ma<le will he taken into (‘onsiderulion and I can say this that the future of industries of Bengal ought to be not only taken serious notice of but if Bengal is to thrive, the industries of Bengal mu.st be taken serious consideration of. The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed that a sum of Rs. 1,24,92,000 be granted for expenditure under the heads “4d-Innu8tnc» Industries” and ‘‘72-Capital Outlay on Indu.strial Development” was then put and agreed to. 43-lnduttrit»— Cinohofii. Th« Hwi’bl* Mr. AHMED HOMAIN: Sir, on the recommeniktion ^Hin Excellency the Oovernor, I W to move that a auni of Uh 2^, 10,01)0 be granted for expenditure under the head ‘‘43-Industries ( inchona . The motion was then put and agreed to. 85A-Cipitil outli^ 4 »n provineitl lehimM of SUto Trading* Th# Hor'M* Mr. ADDOL COFRAN: Sir, on llie few^mendation Excellency the Governor, 1 bex <0 more that a aura of B». 00,01,000 M granted for expenditure under the head ‘‘dSA-Capital outlay on provincia iohemes of State Trading”. Mr. AROUL HAKIM' Ml A J Mr. Speaker, .Sir, during ibe discuMion of the budget, many member# of tbe Opposition os well ae momoew a u DEMAND FOB GRANTS. [ 16 th Sbpt,, of the Government side spoke about corruption, bribery and jobbery prevail- ing in the (Ivil Supplies Department. 1 think had the whole budget session been utilized on the discussion of this subject, there would have been no end of it. Just on the assumption of office the Hon’ble Minister in charge of Civil Supplies, declared that officers against whom there existed strong suspicion would be removed from service, and the injustice done to Muslims in the matter of appointment and trade would be remedied very soon. Although more than four and a half months have elapsed, I find, nothing has been done in this respect. First of all, we pressed the Hon’ble Minister for the removal of retired officers who have hcen re-employe«l in the Civil Supplies Department. Officers, who retired from Oovernment service after having served for dO to do years, weie re-employed in the Civil Supplies Department and are still continuing on fat salaries. I had the opportunity to meet some of tliese old retired officers, and I find that they are physically unfit as well as mentally. It is difficult lor these officers to deal with files which they cannot even move from one place to another. In spite of representations made to the Hon’hle Minister no remedy has yet been done. As regards the Muslim ratio, when we eaine here as members of the Assembly, we learnt that the ratio in the Civil Supplies Department w^as 70 par cent. Hindus and dO ])er cent. Muslims. Although, I know, the Hon’ hie Minister passed an onler that hencot(nth all appointments in the Department should g(» to Muslims in order to make up the parity, up till now the ratio has not been increased hy one ]H‘r cent. even. We learnt that Hindu clerks ami sul)-inspectors drawing a salary of Us. oO to Ks. 75 were promoted to gazetted lunks after only six monllis or one year's service in the Civil Supplies Department; the Hon'hle Minislco calh‘d for a report from the Departmental Heads about the number of Muslim ami Hindu employees with particulars as to their first appointment and tlie present ap])ointnient held by them; the reimrt has been given in sueh a way tii^t it is difficult for the Hon’ble Minister to detect. I remember to lia\(‘ st'en some such report in the .l/or///n// iVcic.v that the offi(‘er who was ('iitrusted with this report, and wJio is the eoiiscience-keeper of the HoiChli* Minister, also manipulated the report . As regards trade and commerce, the Hon'hle Minister assured us that in the matter of trade, Muslims, Scheduled Castes and other Hindus w'ill get their proper share, hut F find on enquiry that the privileges, rights and claims of the Muslim merchants and also of the Scheduled Castes, have been neglected and trampled upon. ()ue Sclieduled Caste finn approached Mr. Kajan for a permit, hut his petition was rejected on the ground that he was a new-comer in the line. 1 went to Mr. Kajan and asked him, what justincntion w’as there for him to hold the portfolio of Director of Civil Supplies when he has no experience whatsoever in the business line? He admitted that I was right, and said that beiause Government ha.s put him there ns Director of Siipplie.s he i^ working there and drawing his salary. I think the honourable members know that to get permits for mustard oil, gur, mustard seeils. sugar, etc., no experience is necessary. A dealer has simply to obtain a permit for these, then he ha.s to go to U,P. to get the .stuB, arrange for wagons, and bring these things to Calcutta. For these things if I am entrusted with the whole of the Civil Supplies Department, 1 can manage it. During Section regime Scheduled Caste merchants could not enter No. 11 /A. Free School Street, because the police prevented them. There was nobody safeguard their interests. Now after the format icm of the Ministry, he can enter the corridor but not beyond that. If these things continue in this way, and the rights of the Muslima and Scheduled Castes are trampled upon in this way, I think we cannot do any justice to these merchants. Now, Sir, a« regards strong suspicion against officers, the Hon’ble Minister assured us that such officers would be removed from the Civil Suppliea Department on strong suspicion. 01 course, there was terror after im,] DEMAND FOR GRANTS, 65 this public .statement. But 1 hnd that the terror has Huhsuleil with the IPpoHitinent of the Trivute Secretary (o tlie lltm’hle MiiUNter. This Private fcretarv has iilreailv p-aiioMl notoriety heiu^^ iu tlie Uatiomnjf J)epariiu0nt for a eonsiacrable penod. As rejrahU tliat I have no persona! knowliHlKe, ^Ut i remember that soinetinie dunnKr ilip tiiM week of xVIav. some contractors ipprouched tlie llon'ble Minister in respect of labour supply of M*vea Jiationiiii; ja’ 0 <low'ns in ( alcutla. The conlracttirs tileil a representation that tile whole contract should not be p^iven to one man, but should be divided inioii^ seven persons. Ihe Hon tde Minister ajrrtM*<l and tenders were uviteo, the last date of whidi was ‘Jlst Ma\. On the 18th May the mntractors foitnnately I and the Hon’hh‘ Minister li\e in the same )ui]din^, 1 on the third floor and he on the fir>t - <*ame to int* and saitl that dthoui^h the Hon’ble Minister had aske<l for teiidoi.s b\ May. it had been (o arrun^'ed that the present man would continue for two months more and hese tenders would l>e rejected. I had to u.se very harsh words to these contractors and said that they should have no such .suspicion. On vCnd May it transpired that all tenders have been rejected. I personally approached the Hon hie Mini.ster who assured me that he would eall for tenders, iuit tw'O months have tdajised and no tender lias heen invited. The Private Secrt'lury was implicated in the matl«‘r and that wa.H the su^r^estion of ihe contraetors. Now 1 hold a stion^ suspicion afrainst tin* Private Secretary and would lequest the Hon hh‘ Afinister to en(]uire into the matter personall\ and (’nn remove our suspicion in this respect. There is anothei matter wliieh I have |>:nl to suhmit hefon' this House, (loverninent has to ineur u loss of about o to 1(1 lakhs a year —I think the fijfure may la* higher than this. The rate of contraef in the rationing ^^xlowns is much higher than the rate in the Civil Supplies godow^ns, although the woik is the same. J would draw the attention of the Hon’blu the finance Minister to this matter; the public should not be depriveil to tlie extent of Us. HI lakhs given to contractors ot Uationing Department. As regards the cfirruption prevailing in the Civil Supplies Department, I would only say that the Hon'ble Minister <oul<l not as yet remove the corruption prevailing in the office of the District Civil Su]»pl> Officer in his district from whifdi district I als(» cofm*. Sonutiiucs, say a month before, some per. so ns approachcil ff»i permit for umbrellas. V»m can get umbrellas only if your pe1iti<m is [(uwatdod Iin tie* District Controller of Ci\il Supplies of the district to which you belong; but what docs the staff of his office doP ( (irruption is prevalent then*. The petition is not n'commeiuled unless you pay something to the officer of that department. About two inonthH before three jicence.s for foodgrains have been suspended b\ the then District Controller for adopting foul means, but as soon as the new District (,'ontroller joined, he withdrew' that su.spension order and allowed thosi* traders to ‘ ontinue although there is enough on record again.st tliosi* foodgrain dealers. Mr. SPEAKER; Your time is over. ' {The member having reached his time-Hmit r(*.sumed his seat at this stage.)'” Mr. OSMAN CAN! : Mr. Speaker, Sir, we requested (he Hon’ble Minister in charge of ('ivil Sujiplies to withdraw” the rice and paddy licences which have been issued on a tliana basis. The Hon’ble Minister assured us that (he circiUar which wa^ issued to that effect would be withdrawn immediately, hut up till now I have come to learn that that circular has not been withdraw'n and rice and paddy are not moving from one thaiia to another thana. 4* godowns I would like to draw the attention of the Hon’ble Miniater that f.’aleutta riots have given us wime sort of impression that ^ow^ should W consiruetad in Park Circus and some other localities mhabiied by Muhammadans and the go<lowns in the Hindu areas should be ^uaRy divided in Calcutta. W DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [ 16 th Sept., Mr, SPEAKER! W)iat I ithall remember is that the honourable member can express himself very correctly in English. Mr. ABDUS SABUR KHAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the interest about |>articiputiiif< in the Hudj^et di.scusHion has vanished, because of the decision of the Opposition so as not to participate in the debate. But one thing I would like to luing to the notice of everybody and it is this. What is the position and what is the scope of State trading just ahead of us*^ Probably All of us liuve noticed with a very heavy heart that we have got foodgruins for one month onl}' in our reserves. Of i-ourse my friends of the Opposition are out to discredit and disgrace this Ministry and to saddle it with the wrong burden ol responsibility regarding riots, but the\ ought to be very careful about tiieir criticism and about their constructive suggestions which we Lave Very tervently sought irom time to time a^ to the improvement of the food situation in this country. Today the ( ongress have come to the (Vntre and it is tpiite natural that Pandit Nehru’s A«lmini, strut ion will do everything to save the impending famine situation contiar\ to as the ('entre did in the year UMd, hut alter the Chief Minister’s hanlie .ippeal uj) till now no assurance has ( ome fr<»n» an\ (|uartet.s t«» replenish oi to .subsidis(> the already faiiiiHhed sto: k of Bengal. I should like to eiujuii’e Iroiu the Hon’ble Minister, ( ivil Supjdies, as to tin* p!isilion of firocureiuent from within this •country and the seope and pOssibilitN of procuiemeril from ahroad. Well, a« regards procurement from within this country, as I hav(‘ .stated in my l)r(*vi(uis speech dtrring the ail n»ui nnient luotuin, forced procureimuit will not be aide to luing an\ reliet or replenish the stock. It is rather voluntary contribution ot the excess stock which the eiiltivator will be ver\ glad to come forward l(» save the hungrv millions of the deficit aiea. ('ontrar\ to expectation a forced and eompulsoiy jecjuisition was introduced with a uoti- ficafioii that stocks above on<* thousand mauiids onl\ will be seized, but in pi’iictiee we have foumi that stocks much hidow one thousand niaunds have been .seized. 1 represent a surplus area and naturalK it is m\ interest to see that the grow»*rs there are amply paid for what the\ have grown with their labour and iiione> , but to niy utmost objei tion and dislike I would like to toll this House tliat in maii\ eases rtHpiisitions have lieeii made on wrong information. A('tuall\ the lequisitioned stock has lieeii found to l)e very much Im'Iow one thousand maunds and the prices for such requisitioned stuff bave always been varied whenever and wherever it has been found necessary aikI convenient. I would ai.so invite a reply from the Hon’ble Minister for •(^ivil Supplies as to the stock he bus been able to get through forced requisi- tion, If it is found that the stock is not up to the murk or up to the expecta- tion of ever^>bod>, then 1 would question the necessity of forced requisition ’which every cultivator of surplus areas has resented. We have been eon- Inmted witli many sorts of maliidous propaganda and questions. We shall discuss separately things relating to the (’ivil Supplies Department when that suhjei’t will come up before this House for (oiisideraUun, but let me tell this House that since the last udiouriimeut motion things in the Civil Supplies Department are exactly in the same place where we left them at that tinie. The system of licence to which the attention of Government was draw’ll is still in vogue and no attempt has been made to issue fresh licences or to give inort* trading facilities to the rice and paddy traders of this country. Rather to iiiy utmost surprise we still find that some section of the people, some marketing caucus is .still jiredominating in the commercial enterprises of Betipil. 1 earnestly appeal to Hon’hle Minister. Civil Supplies, to extena more irnding facilities, issue more licences, more renewals of licences to the merchants of surplus ureas who ea.sily and naturally, without depending on the Dire<'torute of Movements, can arrange for the flow* of sur]>lus rice to the deficit areas. Some such way ought to have been devised in oi^er to avoid the delay that is caused by the Directorate of Movements. Aus crop is now* over. We ought to have experimented some such device regarding aus crop if rice was to be decontrolled and if a system 1946.] DEMAND FUH GRANTS. 67 of natural flow from surplus to deficit areas were to be established. But so far as we find, no such attempt has been made and indeed it is very much rejrrettable that in spite of our repeated demand experiments on these lines are not being undertaken. In this matter the I)ire<tonite of Movements is very slow and absolutely worthless. My friends have dealt with this problem to a very great extent. I had no mind to go into the problem, but only to emphasize (»ne or two important [Joints. I am g«>ing to participate in it. The Civil Supplies (Officers are of several categories. There are old superannuated officers of which my friend has gi\en a very glaring instance. There are lawyer officers — those briefless barristers who could not shine in that profession have gone into the Civil .Supplies Department in order to ameliorate the [jublic distress ai< also t<j ameliorate thmr own distress. These people are not lawyer-Magistrates. How on earth these briefless barristem could be recruited for Civil .Supplies Department 1 do not understand. The very fact that this a temporary de[)artincnt makes tin* officers irresponsible and those jjeople \\b(» have been recruited there have no guarantee or assuraine of the continuity of their scrxices. Naturally they will stoop low for money and seize the <j[iportunities that will occur before them, (lovernnient ought to liave given serious consiileration to these things. There arc also im'rchanf offit its in the Dirccloiate of Textiles and the Directoratt* of Consumers (nwid.*'. We fiml that peojde u ho had been holding some [josts in the merdiaiit offices are all id a sudden becoming big oflioers in that De[>artmen(. 1’liey hav# uIm* brought a cotcric of men along with them who are enjoving further facilities in this Department. ^riiiM is a very had sy.stem. If the I.C.S. people who iie\er sold a single grain of rice and never had a chance of having a grocery can act as Directors and ('ontnillerH of Civil .Supfilies. the same set of pcnple can lun ihcsi* nranches more efficiently tfian the merchant and niilitar\ idlicers. Now, Sir, the very fact that this Is a <(*mi)orar\ department is making the officers callous. Krtini the higlic''t officer in the Ci\il Supplies Deparlmeiil down fo the chaiJrasi the whole system should he thoroughly overhauled and necessary tiansfers must he tuade without delay This De[»artnient should he com|delely regenerated with permanent (iovernment officers who will not have to think fhaf aflei the termination of the Civil Supplies Depaitmeiif fiiey will also have to leave their services. At [iresent they suffer from a souse of insecunly and do luit feel seriously ahoul (fieir respoiisilulity Sn. this sen»«e of irresponsibility is dominating the wlmle Civil Supplies Department and still (iovernment is not taking stejjs to rectify the position. Now. Sir, I would refer to soim* glaring insf.ances of injimtifc Iming rlorie to Mu.slims of this D<‘jjartment and in my .sp4*cch which I deliveii'd on an adjournment motion I gave instances how Muslim store-keepers, Muslim Hulesrnen have been wroiigK im[>licated in false casos, wlinh were dono delil>erattd> willi motive.s. Now, though tlie.se pf'oph* were honourably acijuitted in courts they were not given any chance to n'snine their [KJsfs by the Dejjartmenf. I also know of c.ises in which Hindu officers who got striitures fiom the courts had been promoted while Muslim oflieers who have been discharged f>y the court yyithoiit any stiii lures have not been allowed to join their jirevious jmsis. I’here is absolutely no reason why such differentia] tteatmeni sliould he meted out fo Muslim enifdoyees of the Department, I wimld tlierefore again .suggest that this De|nntmefif should be thoroiiglily regenerated and reoi-gunised , Sir, We are deprived of valuable suggestions of the Djjpoiition in* the matter of Food whicli is coming before us for consjfh*raf ion, I would reijuesi the Opposition to take this matter into their serious cnrisideraf ion. 'f’lio condition of DlCl must lie resisted, nnisi he siojjped and with this end in view w*e must }»e in right earne.st to arm ouiMdves frfun beforehand. We must Im on our guard so that we will not have to f>e faced with a .similar calamity. With these few word^ I resume my »eat. 1 shall he very happy if I get a reply on the ppint» I have mentioned. 68 DEMAND FOB GRANTS. [16tu Sept., The HOft*ble Mr. ABDUL COFRAN; My honourable friend Mr. Abdul Hakim ba-s rai«ed several {jue»tions which I believe require replies. He said that in the matter of appointments, justice is not being shown to all communities irres|Hi( live of caste or creed. I may tell him that communal ratio rules which were promulgated after a good deal of negotiations between major parties will be and are being very sedulou.sly observed at present. About trade, my friend has said that sufficient facilities are not being given to MuNlims. It is true that Muslims and Scheduled Caste people did not enter into trade before, and there was a certain instruction from the Government of India that unless these people had been trading for three years Indore which is called basic year, the\ would not be allowed licenses in respect of foodgraina and some other commodities. The legal implicatioji of that rule ha.s been examined very carefully; 1 have taken the opinion of the Legal Kememhrancer as w'ell as of the Advocate-General, and now it has lieen decided that the basic year sliouhi not stand in the wa.^ of granting licenses lor toodgruins or other commodities, and instructions are going to he issued very soon (cries ot hear, bean. My friend has also said that there are ma!i> letired otfieers now serving in the Latorcemeiit Branch ami some otlier branches of the ('ivil Supplies Department. With regard to that I ma> mention that 1 have taken down the names and have also ascertained the etficiem v ol these gentlemen. I have already issued an order that gradually they will l)e replaced h\ efficient offic<*rs, because it will not l)e p<KssIble to secure efficient officers all at onct*, and I have alrcad,\ given notice tfj jour pcisoii" to }>e released as .soon as possible. .\hout th(‘ Muslim latio I ha\f‘ alte.ids said that a*' it is a question ot doing justice to all communiti«‘s and in view (d the t.ici that dumig Section Od regime the communal ralii) rule has not he4*n cimdully observed. I luive ttlreudv issued an onler that in future all ajipointmeiits whethei by promo- tion or hs «lit(*et recruitment, should he gi\en to Muslims ami Sch(‘duh‘<l (‘ustes till paiits is reiiched. .\s regards contracts ot lran.s[)oil ami labour in ( alcutla that onl\ one man used to do iliis business. I have ordenul that the carr\ing l)Usiness of ('ah’Utta should la* split up into seveial pail--, and that should he distriiuited aftt'r t(*ndcrs are called. I tlo not uuder>taml how my fiicml s,i\s iliat no action has been taken in this behalf, when a notn-e h;ts alrea<lv been issued and tlie\ Were published in various pap<*is nt Calcutta. It has said that there is corruption in the Civil Supplies Department. As rcganls corruption, I have heard such general remarks being made hotli in the press as well as on the jilattorm. You can very well understaml that unless specific allegations arc made no action can he taken against any jausou. It is ne<'essar\ that wv must have enough t*videiice so that tlie delimpient may b(? sent up in (’ourt to take his trial. I have already tidd. and I still hold the \ lew that if there he strong suspicion against anv person ot the Civil Supplies, 1 shall ceitainly serve a notiee <>n him ti» leave the Deiiartiueiit within a mouth. It has been said tliat license-ladders cannot trade beyoml a certain limit. namel> , that if be lias been gianteil a th.ina lieeu'^e lie can trade only within the thana. I have already g'ot tliat imalified ,md now f have pa.'^sed an order that a trader on taking a license can tiade throughout the wlnde sulxlivisiiui ; he ean have an> number of lieenses for any number ot subdivi.sions. So that difficulty has been ver\ idearl) obviated. Mr. Osman Gbani lias suggested that there should 1 m» a godown in the Park ('ircus urea. 1 have already taken steps to that there might be such giulowns in almost every part of the town where the Mii.slims are in a majority and also where the Hiiidus are in a majority so that there may not be any difficulty if in future any trtjubles arise in movement of the foodstuffs. 1946.] DEMAND FOR GRANTS. Then, my friend Mr. Sabur ban suggested that Government decided to requisition only stot ks over inaunds, but still stocks of lesser quantity have also been requisitioned. I may inform him that that decision has lieen modified and now stocks of lesser quantity, vii., above r)00 maunds, have been asked to be requisitioned. Then, my friend has said that 8<*veral Muslims, who had been prosecuted, have not been reinstated after acquittal. Some such appeals have been made and I have called for report and I have taken aetion in respect of several of these rases. I think I have given replies to all the ptunts that liave ]»een raised by niy friends here and T hope they will now piiss the grant which has been moved. The motion of the Ifon’Me Mr. Abdul (lofraii that a sum of Us. oft.Ol.OtM) be granted for expenditure under the head “SoA-( ’a)>ital outlay (Ui provincial scheme*^ of State Trading*’ was then put ami agreed t(». Adjournment. Ihe House was then adjourned at li-pt pan. till ‘.,^-.*10 t>.m. on Tuesday, the l^th Se))temher, 194tl, at the Assenihl\ House, t’aleutta. f0 [ITtb Sept,, Proetediiif i <rf the Bengal Legit lative Attembly attembled under the provitioni of the Government of India Acti 1935. The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Tuesday, the 17th September, 1946, at 2-f30 p.m. Preient: Mr. Sj»eaker (the Hoii’ble Mr. Xurul Amin) in the Chair, 6 Hon’ble Ministers and 200 members. STARRED QUESTIONS (to which oral antwert were given) Realisation of collective fines from peasants of Balurghat. *39. Mr. RUP NARAYAN RAY; Will the Hon'hle Minister in charge of the Home J)ej)urtment he pleased to state — {(i) the amount of punitive tax or <(>llective fines realised from the sub- division of Halurghat (I)inajpur) in connection with the disturbances that took jdace in Augu'^t and suhsetiueiit months in 1042; (h) how niucli ot iliese faxes or fines, so j-olb'cted, wen* realised troiii the peasants there; (c) whether the (bnernment propose to return tlie mone\ , so obtained to their respective payees; ami {(i) whether th<‘ (Government contemplate setting u]> a non-offiriul en(|iiiry committee to investigate into the atrocities that were committed by police and other otiicers against the iieojde of Balurghat while collecting thes<* fines? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Suhrawardy): Bs. (;:>.d80 have been realised as collective fines. (fi) Kignres are not readily available and 1 am not prepared to order the eollection of these details, as the time and lahoiir spent on it will not be eommensurati* with the result to be obtained. (c) \o. {<!) Nti; (Government an* not aware of (he eommission of any atrocities. Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERill: With reference to answer (c) ig the Hon’ble Minister aware (hat in (s>ngre>s provinces the collective fines Hint W'ere realised have been returned? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Yes. Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERJI: Does the Hon’ble Minister con- sider it desirable that in this piovince also the fines so reiilised should be returned ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Xo. Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERdl: Will the Hon ble Minister be pleased to state w hy m)t ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Because in Uongress provinces those who are in j^wer are the friends of those who committed the offences and who were eulogised by them as heroes. It was necessary for them to refund the fines while in this province the Ministry does not talce up that attitude. 1946 .] QUESTIONS. n Mr# NI8HITHA NATH KUNDUs Doe« th« Hon’bk Hkiiiter say from personal knowledge that because the Congresj? thought them to be heroes that the fines were remitted and returned Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAOs Not from personal knowledge, but ttutomati(ydIy it appears that unless the Congress Ministry refuml tie fines they stand self-condemned. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the lloirhle Minister think it desirable to encpiire from the l*rovincial authorities elsewhere why the fines were remitted ^ Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: We know from Press reimrts the Congress (Tovernments rvturned the fines heuiuj.e those weit* (H>llei‘te<l for the offences (ommitted bv their colleagues during (he August disturbances of 1942 . Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERJI: Ihas the lion hie Minister wnsider the im[K)sition of such punitive taxes justifiable ^ Mr, 8PEAKER: That is a matter ol opinion. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Is the llotPble Minister aware that some times (xillective fines were im|K>sed even on innocent persons wlu> had nothing t^t do with the offences committed for which collective fines were imjH>sed ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Yes Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the llondde Minister think it desimhle to eiKiuire into such (’ases in th<‘ province and give them some relief if imposition has iuxui made on innocent persons)^ Mr. 8PEAKER: I think that is the prim ijile of (X)llective fine. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Hut, Sir, lliere is no bar to Dovern- ment giving sonic relief t<» innocent p«M)ple, Mr, HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: The (lovernment has, ol conrse, taken into consideration individual cji'.es and has reinitt(‘d some fines. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the llon’hle Minister know that in Ihilurghal subdivision one Maharaj Hahadui Singli has instituted a civil suit (|uestK)ning the iiiipcKsitioii <d c4)lleclive fines there hy (lovernmentK Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Tiie mattn- is still .„h-juihrv. Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: With reiereme to the Utter part of aiiswei {<!) will the ilon’lde Minister he pleased Ut sLilp whether (iovernment t<K)k note ol newspafMM- reports that atr<M ities were (xumnitted by the jxjlice and other officers agaui*'t the pe^iple <d Halurghat while collecting the^^e fines y Mr. 8PEAKER: That qnestioii (xiiinot he allowed. .NewsjMipei rejMUt cannot he the Uisis of any questum. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: Will the llon’lde Minister he pleased U> state wliat is the principle in\<dved which st<K)d in the \\a> of rr*tufning the fines so imfmed ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: fn the opinion ol the then tiovermnenl excb.sses were eomniitled hy the peciple and they thought that imjMrsition of collective fines would he the best remedy against those excesses. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: In view of the fact that it was the opinion of the then (iovernment, will the Hon’ hie Minister be pleiised to state whether this (iovernment also support the conduct of the then (iovernment ? 58 QUESTIONS. flTra Sept.. Mr. HAMIOUOOIN AHMAD: Individual cased have been taken into oonsideration and fines have been remitted but not in all cases. Mr. BIMAL DOMAR CHOSE: Will the Soa'ble Minhfer be pleased to state some of the principles in respect of which or upon which some fines W0re remitted? Mr. HAMIDUDOIN AHMAD: In cii.seK where Government on enquiry fouml that the people were innocent the fines were remitted. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the Ilon’ble Minister think it desirable to enquire from other provinces the exact reasons for which the fines were remitted and returned and let the House know of it? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD. Government does not think it necessary. Conduct of I. B. officers in a oonferenoe at Natore. *40. Mr. PRAVABH CHANDRA LAHIRY; (a) Is the Hon'ble Minister in chaiq'e of the Home Department aware that a subdivisional political conference was recently held at Natore (Rajshahi) talkie hall under the presidentship of a member of tins House wherein the police officers in uniform and the 1. It. officers in plain ( lothes were said to he deputed there by the distiict inilhorities oj Uapshahi under the Defence of India Rules? (h) If the answer ti^ (tt) is in the affirmative, wdll the Hon'hle Minister be ph’usi'd jo stale whether it is a fact that the police and the I. B. officers <lid not stand iqi along' with the whcde house* when a (‘ondolcmce resolution was being put fi'oni the chair as a mark of resjiect to the departed patriots? (v) Will the Hon hie Minister he pleased to ."tate wh<*thc‘r there is any instruction of the' Government upon its officers to stick to thc‘ir seats W’hiie the whcdc' house is standing in respec*! ? (c/) 1 1 not. will the Hon’ble Minister he ])leased to state whether he proposes lo take' iin\ action in the matter? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on bohatf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SuhriWirdy): to) Yt^s. The Nat4U- Subdivisional ('uiigress AVorkers’ (V)U- fereiiee was held at the Nator (’inema Hall on the !9th May, under the presidentship of Rrofes.MU* .l\otish ('hamlia Ghosh, A Magistrate ond Polic'e ottic'ers both uniformed and in plain clothes attended the* ('onferenc^e. {!>) Yes. (c) Tiider the ‘*Go\ernment Servants Gonduct Rules’’ Government officers caimot take part in the proceedings of such meetings. {d) Doc’s not arise. Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: With reference to answer (c), is the Hon’hle Minister in charge of the Home Department aware that a political meeting is attended by mm-political men and women also «nd that they too stand up with the actual partici^Kinfs wlien called upon to do so by the President of the meeting only as a mark of common courtesy and that it does not mean any participatHui in the proceedings in view of the fact — — Mr. 8PEAKER: Tlmt is tm> lengthy a question: I C4innot allow it. Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: Does the Hon hie Minister think that mere standing up with the whole house constitutes participation an the proceedings of the meeting? Mr. SPEAKER: That is a matter of opinion. >46] QUESTIONS. 7S Ififant mortality stalistioi aiitf milk suf^iy to ohiklroii in Bonpl. •41. Mrs. ASHALATA SEN: ut) Will the Hou’blf Minister in charge if the Department of Health and l.oeal Self-Ciovernmeut l>c pleaseil to lay in the Table a statement Bhowing: — (f) how many rhildi-en were Ihujj in the yt'urs 194*^, 1943, 1944, 1945 and HMG in the Provinre of Beujral ; and ui) how' many of them died within years from birth K (The figftires to Im» shown separately in resj>eet of emh year.) ib) Is there any milk eanteen for the ehildren »n the Province of Bengal established ut the i‘XjKMise of tio\ eminent y <r) It the answer to elunse (b) is in the uHiimative, will the HoiPble Mini''tei be jdeased to state how mun\ eantet'iis there are and where they lia^e been e'^tablished ^ MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT (the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed All): {a ) A state- ment showing birtliH and deaths amongst children under one year and one to five }ears of age is placed on the lahrar\ Table. Death tignres under three yoiirs of age are not available as they are not seiKiralely recorded. iM \es. (ci Forty canteens a list ot which is placed on th(‘ liihnuy Table. Recruitment of officers in Post-War Fire Service of Bengal. •42. Mr. DHANANJOY ROY: (a) Will the llon'ble Minister in charge ol the IJejiaitmenf <d Health and Local Scll-( iovennm*nt he jdeased lu state— /) whctloM' ihei e has been aiiv re<nntiuent of oftii efs in the Depart merit ot post-Wat Development, Pin* Service in Hengal, alter th(‘ as-vuiii jitioii o{ otiicc bv tile piosent Ministiy; w liet her there was aiiv atlv <‘rt Cseineiit t«»r the post of Directoi, Dejmty Director, two IL'gional Otlicers and three Deputy Hegioutil (Mliccis of Fire Servi^a*; and wn) \vli<>tlo*i iccniil mcht of one Director, one Deputy Diicctoi ami two Regional Uth< cfs were made!' <b\ It the answer to is in the ultirimitive, will the llon*)>le Minister be plcas4‘d to stale — </) whether thev are lb*ngalees or non-Ibuigalei^h ; and (//t whether there were anv Bengalee candidates!^ ic) It the answer to <//)(//) is in the afliriiiat i ve, will the Hon’ble MinisiiT be plea-,3d t<i state whether flic (jovernimMit [uoposc to send the candidates for those posts of Director, Deputy Director and Begi(»niil Officers t(^ the Pnfdic Service ('ommission, Bengal':' The Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI; ia)(i) No : the scl.cme for a perma- nent Bengal Fire Smvice is still under consi*leration. Hi) and i/o) No: the desigiiationH, jurisdictions and cliaiges of certain existing (dhcris of the lemiKuarv Bengal Fire Servict' have Iwaui altered^ to seciii^ greati'i’ administrative efficiency. 4 wo officers of the ( uleiitta I* ire Brigade have fmen deputed temporarily to fill cf)nHe»|nential vucancieH in the Bengtil Fire Service. (b)ii) ttne of the deputed officers of the Calcutta Fire Brigade is an Anglo-Indian resident in Bengal; the other is a Bengali Muslim, (n) Does not arise. ‘ 7 # QUESTIONS. [17th Sept., (r) Perm&nent raeancitfff in the OfBcer cadre of the permBnent Bengal Fire Sendee, when that tierviee in establinhed, will, in the usual course, be Hlled after a»n8uItafion witli the Public Service Commissoin, Bengal. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Arising out of a (f}, will the Hon 'hie Minister be pleased to state when the Government I come to a decision?' The Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I cannot exactly give the target date but the decision will be expedited. Mr/ MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Rou ble Minister he ple<ised to state how many of the Fire Brigade Stations have been disbanded!*' The Hofi’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am at raid I cannot give the numl)er off-hand. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Rou ble Minister Ik* pleased to state how many of t]>e Fire Brig<»de personnel have been absorbed:' The Hoil'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 am afraid 1 cannot ^ive the answer off-hand. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble Minister be phsised to state whether it is a ia<t that the {>laces wheie tliere is no municijmhtv will he depn\etl of the Fire Brigade Stations!" Th« HOfPble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Yes. Sn, that is most likely correct, because when we have permanent Bengal Fire Service vve will give the benefit of tire service to the largei municipalities in this province and the (luestioii <)f giving such facilitie> to the non-municipal area cannot be taken up b> (iovernment at this stage. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is the Ron bie Minister aware that there are stations like Feni and Fhowundnii! which are more im|>ortant than muni(‘ipal areas and they are going to he de])rived if he follows this jirinciple?' The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: That is purely a matter of opinion, hut 1 tliink that Feni .ind (’howimdiini are very hig places of iniporlanc«‘ ami ma\ he the> are more imjHirhuil than some municipal areas, but at the present moment we cannot give bicilities to all the muiiicipalitle.s of this province. AVe shall have to restrict the facilities io the larger mnnii ipalilies of this pixnince. Policy of disposal of deroquisittoned promisee. *43. Mrs, E. M. RICKETTS: Will the li(m’hle Minister in cliarge of the (''hief Minister's ^Common Services) RejKUtuient he pleased to state — (a) if it is the policy of the (iovernment that dere<iiiisitioned ]iremise» shouhl Ik* offered in the first instance to the oarties in oc'cupation at the time of the original requisitioning : and \(>) if so, what are the circumstances under wdiich the premises at No. f», Bulk liiine, although already dei’equisitioneil have not lieen offered to the previous tenants? Mr. ABDUL KARIM (onjMbatf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Suhrawardy): (o) Yes, a general rule. . {h) The previous occupants did not a«k to be reinstated. Therefore, as the house was rtH]uired as a students' hostel, and the owner was willing to lease it for this purjiose, the house was taken over by Governiueiit in the Education Depar^esL QUESTIONS. 75 Mrs. £• Mi RICICETTts Will the Hoii’ble Minister he pleased to state rhat steps were taken by (lovemment toasoeriain if all the previous tenants Fere driven sufficient time to reply as to whether they wish to return to their ats? Mr> ABDUL KARIM: I think (rovernment ^ave notice to all informing al»out the (kite of derequisition. Detention of I.N.A. men in Bengal. •44. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Will the Ilonldc Minister in charge ot the Home Department he pleaded to lay on tin* Table a statement sljowing the present uumlier of I.N.A. mt‘n and persons comoM ted with the I,N A or persons described In* the (T«»vernim>nt as “Knemy agents" - {//» who are .still in detention in llengal ; fh) their names and full home addresses: (( > how many ot them have been served with restric’tion (»rders under OiMlinanct* 111 ot 1!>4-1; and i(/‘ their names and home a«ldresses'’ Mr. K. NA8ARULLA (on behalf of the Hon*ble Mr. H. 8. 8uhriwar<ly): ia) Nil. (A) Does not aiise, (fi One, ((/) Habu l^riti ('haudhury. s(»n ot Habu !leno\ Jlhnsou (’haudhury, of Kadurkhil, lloalkhali, Dhittagong. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Wdl the Hon’Ide Minister be pleatunl to state whether these I.N.A. men and t>ersons connected w'ith the I.N.A. or per.soiis described by the Cfovernrnent as “Knemy agents” were prosecuted under Ordinance III of 1044? Mr. K. NA8ARULLA: I want notit^e. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Will the Ilon’ble Mini.ster l>e pleased to .state how many of these I.N.A. men were executed and how many sentenced to trar».s[>ortation for life? Mr. K. NA8ARULLA: I want notice. Legislation to deal with trafRo in women. •48. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: (n) Is the Ilun’ble Minister in charge of the Home (Police) I)ei»rtment aware that due to the recent influx of w'oinen of the town the nuisant e has greatly aggravated in the (^ty of Calcutta? (h) If so, what action, if any, the Government are projW)Hing to take to clear the inhabited localities of the City of Calcutta of undesirable occupants under the Bengal Suppre.ssion of Immoral Traffic Act? (r) Ls the Hon'ble Mini.ster aware that stu ial health of the city has deteriorated seriously due to the increase of public women therein? (d) Ls the HoiC’ble Minister considering the de.sirability of taking ade- quafe measures for removal of the nuiaaoce? (e) Does the Hon’hle Minister pror)Ose to introduce fresh legislation empowering the Police to cope adequately with the traffic in women, which is daily growing in the City of Calcutta? (/) Is it a fact that ^he steps that are being taken by the Police at preient are not adequate to ensure rooting out of the evil in « short time? 76 QUESTION?^. [ITtii Skpt., {y) Ih it a fact that punishment,** by way of nominal fines are imiK)8e(l in ca«(*H of breach of the Bengal Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act ant] that such steps are not enough to deter (tffenders? ih) iJo the (loveriiiiient consider the de^irabilily <»f introduriiiL; jiH)re stringent legislation to deal more effectively with the matter Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon’bie Mr. H. 8. illhrawardy) : («) Yes, the evil was noticed as early as 1944. AVith the cessation ol hoslihtjes and the deimrtnre ot large numbers of troop', from the (Sty the evil has somewhat abated. (A) Instructions were given to the Police t(» take action under the Bengal Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act. IJtdd, against <'ommercialized vice and W'itb the excei)tioii oi one {»r two ureas in the north, the ('ity has l)een ( leared of the nuisance. The existing law does not prohibit individual pr{)stitution and action cannot 1 m* taken by the Police under sectirm 0 of the A( t ex( ept on a complaint us prescrilK'd therein. Sucli complaints are scarcely ever made. {(') It is a fact that <luriug the war yeais pro.Ntitiition, open and clandes- tine, incrca.s(Ml and the disseminatJon ot venereal diseases btHL'ame alarming. Government ((M>k ste])s to control the situation by closing brothelh a." stated uimve and by o))ening (dinics for the treatment and cure ot venereal diseases. With the de|)flrlure of troops from (’alcutta the position is Fjot now a-* serious a« it was. (d) An aniendineiit made to the ej^isting Act in lune, PMb, lias consider- ably improved it. but it is found t(» })e still (b‘iecti\e and weak in certain respei'ts. J*urther amendments are under the consideration of (lovernmeut. (e) and (/) The unswei- is as given in id) nlK>ve. (y) In very few’ ('um^s has the maximum fine of Bs.50 provided in the Act been imposed. This is, how’ever, a matter for the courts. Prosecjitiug offica'i’s ha\e iieen dire<ted to press for the award of deterrent sentences on conviction. (h) Please s(‘e answer to (V7). 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08ES Is the Hon’bie Minister uw'aie that commercialised vice still exists in tiouth Calcutta? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMEDs ^es, it exist*., but not in such >eriou8 form as before. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY; Arising out of (A), will the Hon'ble Minister l>e pleased to state the names of the areas in the city Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMEDs Centrol (^alcutta ns a wdiole. Mr« MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ. AVith respect to answ’er {d) where it has been stated that further amendments ore uncler the consideration of Govern- mentj wrill the Hon’ble Miiii.ster be pleased to state when there is a likelihood of bringing such a legislation ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED. At the earliest opportunity. Control of tanks under OaloiitU Corporation. ^46. Dr. MOZAMMEL HDBSAINs in) Will the Hon’bie Minister in charge of the IVpartmeut of Agriculture l)e pleased to state whether it is a fact that all the tanks under (^alcutta Corporation are under direct control ul Bengal Governmenl for improvement of fishery industry'? (h) If the answer to (o) is in the affirmatiTe, will the Hon’hle Minister be pleas^ to state what scheme^ if any^ has been adopted for the purpose f 1946.] QUESTIONS. 77 Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon'ble Mr. Ahmed Hossain): (a) No. (/>) Does not arise. Mf. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUEs l)i>es the Government contemplate takiii^^ up the iiiipix>vement ot Uiiiks in (.iiknitta which are now Tinder the Cnlcutta CorjK)rati<)n y Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Yes. the scheme tor utilisation of tonka belongiujj to tlie C^alcutUi C urimratiiui hv the Director of Fislieries for rearing; fish is under contemplation. UNSTARRED QUESTIONS (answers to whkh were laid on the table) Hon’ble Chief Minister’s assurance to release political prisoners. 11. (SiioRi Notick.) Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: { a ) Will the Eon’hle .Nfini'^ter in diarge oi the llnme Di*partment he ph'asi'd to state whether it is a fact that an assuianee was givmi h\ the Hon’hle ('hiel Minister to the demonstrators assemhled at the As.sejnhly eonnM)uml on tin* 2dth .luly last for th(' release of all ptditieal priMumrs ludore the loth August, 1946, and the withdrawal of tian on the I'orwanl Ifloe hetore the .same date^ (6) If the answer to in) is in the aHirmative, will tin* llon’hle Minister pleased to stute whether the (loverninent are eoiiMidfTing to implement that assurance forthwith:' The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. 8UHRAWARDY: Ui) No (h) D(U‘s not arise. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU* Will the Hon’hle Minister be pleased to repeat the statement tliat was made by the lloii’ble ('hief Minister on the 15th August ill the Assembly (H>m|K)Undy Mr. 8PEAKER: The statement oi (he lloirble (’hiei Minister umde on the 15th August is alremly in the procwdiiigs. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU; No, Sir, 1 am r(‘fei ring to the Htale* meni made not here in the House but outside in the maidan west of this building on the 24th July. Tho Hon’blo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI; The ^uestioD refers to 15th August. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Fifteenth was the date fixed for release. Mr. 8PEAKER: I think on that (kite the Chief Minister made a state- ment in regArd to the jmlitical prisoners who could be released. I think on the 15th August also the Hon’hle Chief Minister made a statement on the flour of this House with regard to the jaditical nriMiners who could not be relea.sed un that date. SiUiie priMUiers were released on the J5lh and he made a statement on that very day with regard io the other political prisoners who could not be releasetl. I think that statement has superseded the previous statement, l/ct us confine <»ur»elves to the statement ma^le on the J5th August. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU. The question relates to the statement of 24th July. TIm HMi’bto Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: On the 24th July, the Hcm'ble Chief Minister mede a statement and promised that he woTild announce hie decision regarding the* release of political prisoners on or before the 16th QUESTIONS. [17th Sept., 7S August, aufl in pursuance of thftt announcement the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the 15th August made an announcemeut on the floor of the House that he had passed orders for the release of all pre-reform political prisoners. The an.swer “No” in (a) means that he did not make any promise or announcement regarding the withdrawal of kin on the Forward Bloc on the 24th July. His statement only referred to the question of announcement of Government decision regarding the release of political prisoners and the House is jtware that in accordance with the announcement made he imple- mented his promise (Ui tlie 15th and all the political prisoners have been released. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Iloirble Minister be pleased to enlighten us if the Government are thinking of w'ithdrawing the ban on the “Forward Bloc*' and releasing tlie convicted jKditical prisoners}^ Thu Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED All: The matter is engaging the attention of Government. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the llon’ble Minister be pleased to state how many of the pre-retonii [xilitical prisoners have been released since tlie loth of Augusts Thu Hon’blu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: All the pre-rebum inditical prisoners have lieen relcascil. There was difli« ul(y alsmt one only. There was one pre-ielonn jHiIitical prisoner whose name was Nareti Ghosh, liiit the relea.se older in resjiect oi that piditual prisonei wa.s not issue<l through a misbike, beitiirse there was auotlier Naten Ghosh who was released previously. Therefore due to a mistake in othce, liis relea.se order was not at first issued, tmt suh.seijiieiitly alumt a week back his release order was issued, and now it (an be siiid that all the pre-reform political pri.soners have been released. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble Minister be pletised to state what is their number!'' Thu Hon’blu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am j^orry I cannot give you the number. Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARY: lu view of the fact that all the iM)litical prisoners have been released does the Government think it desirable to lift the ban on Jogesh Chandra Chatlerji who is now outside Bengal ? Thu Hon’blU Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 am afraid 1 shall have to ask for notice. Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: Will the Hon’bie Mini.ster be pleased to state if the Government wdll remove the ban on the Bengal Provincial Forward Bloc!' Thu Hon’hiu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 ask for notice, Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to state by which date Government will release all the political prisoners? Thu HOfl'blu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: As 1 have said all pre-reform political pris<.>ners have been released. Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BASU: There are other political prisoners. Thu HOIl’hlU Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The only prigoners who are detained now are convicted prisoners in connection with August, 1942 disturl^auoes. Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: Is the Government prepared to give a date by which all the political priaoneru arrested in eonnuciion with 1942 auetument be rsleas^P 1946.] QUESTIONS. 79 Th# Hon’bld Mr. MOHAMMED ALI. No tarjar€*t tlut^ can be ffiveiL) but the Chief Minister is considerinp^ all aspects of this question. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU. Is the Ilon’hle Minister aware that there are more than 20 prisoners in the Mi(lnat)ore Jail who were CHinvicted in connection with 1942 niovement and of whom there are many who are suffering*’ from serious diseases? The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I have alremly sjtid that the only political prisoner‘s who are now detained are the persons who were (X)nvicted of offences during? the 1942 distnrlmm'es. All security prisoners have Wn released and all prerrefonn |H>litical prisoners have ln*en relwised. So far as the question of rele<ise of |K)Iili(^«il prisoners tHuivicted durinpr 1942 disturk'uices is coiuerned this matter is en^ra^Miif' the attention of the Hon’hle Chief Minister. I admit that some of them are not in |r<K)d luvalth. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Is the Ilon’hle Minister consider- in^r fl‘e desirahilij\ of rehsisin}.: immediatel\ those iirisoners who are Mifferin;r from disea'-es? ThO Hon’bls Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: As 1 have said the matter is enjra^rin^»' the attention of the Ilon’hle Chief Minister. It is also the ^mlicy of (io\ernment to rehnise prisoners if the circumstances of the health of a prisoner aie such as would warrant his release, hut no such prisoner i.s now in detention whose (suidilion wouhl justify his release on mediial j^round. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon’hle Minister ho phsised to tell us hv which jieriod we shall he able to know that ihoso prisoners will he released? The Hofi’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 ciirinot tcivo tlir> Utrgft tlnlo. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATU: tho llon’lde Minister awnre that there ar(‘ many petitions for the chiJsification of the prisoner.s convicted in fMumection with 1942 iiHuement? The Hon’ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: May he. I am sorry T cannot an.swei- that question without notice. Mr. ABUL HA8HEM: In view’ of the fact tluit the ( hmf^ressmen <»f the Opi>osition arc showing; .so much anxiety to release the pcditiixil prisonern, may I know from the Hon’hle .Minister whether after the release of the pre- reform politifxil prisoners, my C^m^ress friends, and as a mailer of that, the Con^>:ress orp'anisiition did ^^ive them any recaption? The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI; T have no official information, hut 1 did see in newsiuipers .Munethinj^^ almut reception ^iven to the iwditical prisoners. As far as my recollection reception was o^^fanised by the Communist Party. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Pending the question of release of political prisoners, doe.s the Government consider the desirahility of ktHqdnjf all the prisoners convicted in connection with 1942 movement classified in Division I and Division IIP Tht Hon’bM Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The honourable member will realise that so far as the convictefl pri.soners are (onrenuul, the (jueMtion of their classification rests with the trying authority— the trying Magistrate. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: The question of classification rest# with the Government. The Hon’lllt Mr. MOHAMMED ALIf It doe« rest with the Government, but dl these classificstions are made on ibe recommendation of the trying Magistrates. M QUESTIONS. [l"ra Sept. Mr. J. e. CUPTAs Is the Hon’ble Minister aware that the reception wan given k) the released pre-reform political prisoners on behalf of the all- parties release campaign cjoinmitlee oon.sisting of League, Congress, Com- muinsts And others ? Mr, ABDUL KARIM: On a point of order, Sir. May I point out that it is not the concern of Oovernment to be aware of that? Mr, SPEAKER: Tliat is no point of order. Government chose to reply to Mr. Abul llasliim’s (juestion; so 1 cannot stop Mr. Gupta. The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I have already said that 1 have no official information of that. 1 was relying entirely on my own memory when I wiid tlnit I saw newspaper report of some reception given to liie released militical prisoners, and it was on the basis of that report tlmt I stated that tne reception was given by the members of the Communist Party. 1 liave no further recollection in the matter. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Is the llon’ble Minister aware that the ban on the “forward Hloe” has alrwidy been removed by the ('entral Government? Th« Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 ha\e no official information o: that, but I did see a report to that efiecl. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA BOSE: Will the Ilotrble Minister he pleasei to state how long will it take the Tioral (ioverrimenl to consider the (piestioi of removal of the ban on the “Forward Bloc”? The Hon’bte Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I cannot prophesy that. Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: Will the Hon bio Minister b pleused to stale whether there is iiny I..N.A. security prisoner in Heiijfarr Th« Hon’ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: I ask for notice. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Is the llnn’ble Minister aware tha arming the (Hinvicted imlitical prisoners in Mitlnaporo there are some who ar suffering from serious diseases and have not been classified in spite c repeated petitions for these List five ye<irs? The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Mr. Nishitlm Kuudu is genemll well informed so far as the (sinditions of security prisoners are (‘oncernec I am prejwired to take his word for the statement that they are not in goo health. But so far as the question as to whether they are suffering froi serious distMises is ('oucemed, that is, 1 should s*iy, a matter of opinion on neither he nor myself are medical experts. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: In view of the answer given by th Hon’ble Minister, I am supplying the name of the prisoner. His name i Birendra Nath Barman. He is much deterioratetl in health. He has bee asking for classification. His father also applied. I too tried my best t bring it to the notice Does not the Hou'ble Minister, i view of the information supplied by me just now, think it desirable t enquire into tlie matter and make a classification in his case? Tht Hofi’blt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Yes, Sir. An enquiry into th condition of health of the prisoner named by the Imnourable member will b instituted, and if he is anxious to know the result, it will be communicate to him. 1946.] QFESTIONS. SI Controlling of Wotor4iyaointli. 12. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DUTTAs {a) Will the Hon hie Miniatei in charge of the Dejiartnient of Agriculture he pleased to state — (i) whether the Government are aware that the nwian crops of large areas of lands in the district of Tippera specially in the Brahman- baria subdivision are dcvStroyed each year by water-hyacinth ; {ii) whether it is a fact that the destruction has l>een going on since the year 1915 when water-hyacinth had upj)eared; and (fif) whether it is a fact that |)eoplc of many areas |)etitioned the Govern- ment for construction of wnter-hyacinth fencing to prevent the destruction of crops H (?>) Do the Government consider the desirability of constructing water- hyacinth fencing under the Water-hyacinth Act? (r) If so, in what areas? The Hon*blo Mr. AHMED HOSAAIN: (a) {i) and (//) Yes. (lit) I’etitions hav(* been received from time to time. (b) Government have ik) immediate scheme. The whole question of controlling and eradicating water-hyacinth throughout the Pi evince has been dealt with in a I)evelo|)nient Scheme which is at present under the considera- titm of a Technical Committee, un<l Government are awaiting the report of the roinmittee before taking any action. (r) Does not arise. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon hie Minister be plwised to state whether Government took any steps to prevent destruction of crops? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Yes, Sir Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Ibm hie Minister lie pleased to state' whether the Water-Hyacinth Act was jmssed on the basis of any plan? Mr. HAMUIUDDIN AHMED: Yes, Sir. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon bb Minister be ple;ised to state whether water-h.\acinth fencing was <s)nstruclc(l on the Isisis of the Water-Hyacinth Act anywhere? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Yes. At some places in Tippera the schenn* was experimented on the principle* of levying ces*! which proved a failure, and Government stopped it. Mr. MUHAMMAD RUKNUDDIN: Will the HoiPhle Minister ho pleased Uj ^Uile when the report of the Technical Committee w'ill b« submitted ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government is trying to expedite the matter. Mr. MUHAMMAD RUKNUDDIN: Will the HorPhle Minister be pleased to state what steps Government projKise to Uke just now? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government expect to get the report without delay and hope to take proper steps immediately thereafter. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is the Hon'ide Minister aware that water-hyacinth is being utiJiz^'d as subsfifule for food, and does he consider the desirability of ulilking water-hyacinth as substitute for food instead of destroying and emdicating it ? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government will consider the matter. 82 QUESTIONS. [17th Sept., Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state, in the lijfht of answer (b) that peiidiiijj formulation of a particular scheme, whether Ooverninent consider the desimbility of placing adequate funds in the liands of tlie Union Boards, so that Union Boards can independently cope with this problem immediately':' » Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Many such schemes have been experinienterl upon but none proved successful, (iovernment does not think it desimble to spend any money in a haphazard way. Government is await- ing the r(‘j>f)rt of the Technical (’^iiiimittee, and as soon as its report reaches them, it will be duly con.sidered. Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Wdl the Hon hie Mi nister be pleiised to state that Government machinery repeatedly proving unsuccessful, does he think it desirable that the country and the people in the Union Boards should he placed in charge of these affairs so that they can ameliorate their own «)ndilioiis? Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government is trying to ameliorate the ooudilioii.s ot the pt^ople. Mr, d. C, GUPTA: Is the 1 1 on’ hie Minister aware that for want of co- ordination and simultaneous aetlon in e\er> juirt where water-hyacinth exists, efforts have failed in the past!*' Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: There 1ms n<> doubt been want of co- ordination, hut the scheme which i> expected to he (‘volved w*ill bring alvoul (X)-()rdination from e\ery l>ody. Mr, il. C. GUPTA: Is the Ilon’hle Minister aware that from 193(1 up till the jiresent day various schemes have been discussed, hut only on one occasion when the Water-llyucinth Week was inaugumted with the help of the p«»i)le in every Union, there was some relief? Mr, HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: There was .some relief, hut it was not successful. Mr, MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’hle Minister he pleased to .state the names <»f the ineinher.s of the Technical Com- mittee with their (pialific^it ions ? ♦ Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: I want iitOice. Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Sir, I beg to draw y^our attention to a certain matter. Mr. 8PEAKER: Are you speaking on a 7 >oint of order? Mr. ABDUS 8ABUR KHAN: Sir, 1 am going to make a request to you. Mr, 8PEAKER: But how does it arise. It must be either a point of order or a point ol privilege. Mr. ABDU8 BABUR KHAN: Sir, I rise on a point of privilege. Sir, it is our painful memory that during the Calcutta riots a certain section of the Press were most irresponsible and they are still publishing reports in such an irresponsible miyiuer that there is every apprehension of tbe dis- turbances spreading all. over tbe country. Cau we expect that full and correct publicity of the deliberations that will take place on the 19th and 20th September will be given? Failing that do you not think it necessary or desirable to close the Press galleries for those two days? Mr. SPEAKER: I am concerned with the oorrect recording of the ufooeedings. If I find any presa not recording the proceedings correctly, I may then take action. 1946 .] GOVaSIlNlfENT BILLS. 89 Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Sir, for a jfreater benefit there might be a slight departure from the routine procedure prescribed here. I would request you, Sir, to take a Iwld step in the matter in order to preTont auch a calamity ns might befall Bengal again. GOVERNMENT BILLS. Tha Bangil Special Tribunals (Continuance) Bill, 1946. The Hon*ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir. I beg to move that the Bengal Speoial Tribunals ( (on ti nuance) Bill, 1946, as passed by the Bengal Legislative Council, be taken into consideration. Sir, the object of this Bill is very simple. The two Special Trilmnnls known as the First S|>eci«l Trihuital at Calcutta and Second Special Tribunal at Calcutta, respectively, were constituted hv a imtiliiotion of the Oniral (loveriimeut under section 3 of the ('riminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 1943 (Ordinance No. XXTX of 194*0. and under section 5 thereof certain cases w’ere allotted to them for trial. As some of those cjises are still pending In^fore those two tribunals and some doubts may arise a.s to the <x)mpeten(*v of the .said tribunals to continue k) function in the disfHitMil of the siiid cases in the event of their not l>eing disposed of before llu* expiration of the peiiod of 6 months after the proclamatum of emergem'y in fon'e at the (‘ommencement of the said Ordinance which has ceased to operate ami as it may involve cHinsiderahle waste of public imincy if the (vises now pending lictoi'c tlH‘>e tribunals Iiunc to be tri(*d ilt- novo by ordinar\y(Timina1 courts it is nec4*sHary to introduce this Bill .so that the aforeiwiid triliunals may continue to function and dispose of the cas(*s allotted to them under section 5 of the Ordinance referred to above. The motion of the llon’hle Mr. Jogendra Nath Mandal tliat the Bengal Special Tribunals (Continuance) Hill, 1946, as passed by tlie Bengal Legis- lative Council be taken inUi oonsidaration, was then pul and agreed to. ^ Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Sir, we do not oppose the Bill but wkat I want to dra^i \oiir attention to is this that we are not competent or in a po.sition to take up tliese Bills in this session because they were not circulated to us as it used ki be done previously. In the absence of the Billa we cxuild not apply our mind. For example the Bill which has been taken up just now was not circulated beforehand. Mr. SPEAKER. Are you epeiiking almut this Bill. Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Yes, alamt this Bill and oilier Bills. I do not know* if this Bill was circulated at all. Mr. SPEAKER: Yes, this Bill was circulated. Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Sir, I enquired of some of my friends and- undersUxal that it was not circulated. So, I think if should be dropped. The kw should be strictly followed. Mr, SPEAKER: This Bill W’a« circukted on the Mih August. Mr. SATI8H CHANDRA BOSE: But the original Bill was not circukted. Mr. SPEAKER : Yes, the original Bill was not circukted for it is not nece^isary under the rulea* li is in the Library and members b*^ve always an easy acoega to it. Clanne /. The question that clause 1 stand pari of the Bill wag then put and agreed to. m [KTM Oftr-i., Clause 2. The question that clause 2 stand part of the Bill was then put and agreed to. Clause 3. The question that clause 3 stand part of the Bill was then put and agreed to. Preamltlc. The (iuestion that the Preamble stand jwirt of the Bill was put and agreed to. The Hon'ble Mr. dOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, I beg to move that the Bengal Special Tribunals (Continuance i Bill, Pt4fi, as settled in the Asseinl)ly, be piissed. Mr. A. F, STARK: Mr. Speaker, Sir, 1 would like k> raise just one point. These two Spe(‘iul Tribunals, as 1 understand them Sir, were set up to pr<»vide speedy trial of certain eases oi (‘orruplion. They were set up in 1943, and it is now 194(1; aiid 1 think the lkius<‘ is due some exjilanation of the delay that is taking place in bringing tiiese wises to an end. The Hon’ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, a large number of cases had lieen allotted k) the First 3’ribunal and a large number of those Wises were disixised of. Still al>out ten cases are iiemling. The Second Special Tribuiiul to which the famous case of Mr. S. K. Ghose was allotted has altH> pixigressed to a considerable extent. The number of witnesses and the masses of evidence are so birge tliat in spite of the best attempt on the part of the tribunal they could not fini.sh dealing with them earlier./ It is expected that more than a year will be taken to come to a decision on the cases. Only tliis Government can now bring it to the notice of those two tribunals so as to give them a chance to expedite the trials of those cases. More than that I am not in a position to say. Tlie motion that the Bengal Special Tribunals (Continuance) Bill, 1946, as settled in the Assembly, be passed, w’as then put and agreed to. Th« Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 1946, The Hon’ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, I beg to withdraw the Bengal Criminal Law' Amendment Bill, 1946. This Bill proposes tc provide certain measures for the speeily trial of riot cases, but those measures are of such importance tliat it is desirable that in consultation with the bN:iderH of the different parties of this House an agreed Bill should be brought in. Mr. SPEAKER: On a point of information, Mr. Maudal. Are you withdrawing the Bill? Tha Hon*bla Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Yes, Sir. Mr. SPEAKER: In that case no speech is necessary because the Bill has not yet been introduced. (The Bill was taken as withdrawn.) 1946.] GOVEBNMENT RESOLUTION. 60 COViRNMEMT RESOLUTION. Tilt HM’bto Mr* MOHAMMED ALIs Sir, 1 beg to move thiet thie Assembly is of opinion that it is desirable that — (/) the control of prices and the distribution of drugs within the province ; (2) fees in respect of the matters mentioned in clause (/); (J) inquiries and statistics for the purpose of the matters mentioned in clauses {1) and {2 ) ; {4) ofltences against laws with respect to the mutters mentioned in clauses (1) to (J) ; and (J) the jurisdiction ami jH)wprs of courts with resi>ect to the matters mentionetl in clauses {/) to {4), uhich an* among the matters enumerated in the Provincial Legislative last should be regulated in this Proxince by an Act of the (Vntral T/egislaiure. Sir, members of this House are aware that the Defence of India Rules will expire after the dOth of Sej»tember. PMtl, and after the expiry of those rules the control over drugs will ce>iise to have operation not only here but in other |wirts of the (ountrv. Hut even at this time it is necessary U) have (MUitrol over them because supjdy has not Yi*t Improved and is not adetiuate. 'riieretore it Js felt that when the exiNtiUL' control ov(‘r drugs is relaxed, those drugs winch are xerv imjHirtaiit in the imiller of saving life may be traded upon in the l)laek-imirket. We have information that there are some drugs which liaxe gone uudergixiund and when the control W’ill have c<*^ised to have effect after tlie dOth Septemhen l!>4h, mer('hants who are in jxissesMon of those drugs will he ruling still nn the black-market. Now, it may he sind as this (M)mes within the sphere of Provincial Legis- lature, a legislative enactment wotlld have met our purpose. Hut, Sir, it will he realised that the^e drugs over which we want to exorcise contixd are iio|K)iie(l diug'i, drugs whuii (s)me from foreign (s)uutries. Therefore the question ot import is there. It w<)uld, tlierefore, he lietter ami desirjihle that the (oiitiol tner <lrugs slwnild he on an all-India basis and, therefore, we do not want to come in with a spimrate legislation .so far as (xmtix)! is concerned. ^V e want to send our recominemlaiion to the (lovernment of India and armed witli our recommendation and recximmendationH from other Provincial Legislatures, it will he appropriate for the (iovernment of India t^) introduce a Hill and have this (xmtrol over drugs retained. 1 hope there will he no difference of opinion .so far as this matter is cs)ncerne<l ami the resolution will he accepted. As Mr. Speaker [Kiinted out seme time earlier, we projMJ.se to come up tomorrow again with another resolution under .section JOd of the Goveni- ment of India Act for retention of <‘S)ntr()l over various other commodities. It W'ould liave been better if there could have been n comprehensive re.solution so that all existing contiols might have been retained by the Government of India hr one Act, hut it was felt ami I wa,s advise<l by the dejmrtinent that so far as control •)ver drugs is concerned, it is better to have a serrate resolution. Therefore, we have wine up to this House wdth this resolution so far as cxuitrid river drugs is concerned. We pr^)fM)se to ceme up tomorrow again with another resrdiition for retaining <x>ntrol over other essential commodities. With these words I commend my motion to the araeptance of the House. Mr. SPEAKER: So far as chiu.se (I) i.s comerned, the proper language will be like this. I admit this resolution with this change; *'(1) the control of trade and commerce so far as it relates to the control of price, amount and distribution of drugs within the Province;” It fits in with the language of the Act. GOVERNMENT BILL. [IJTB Sept. Th* Hon'bie Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: All right, Sir. Mr. FAZLUR RAHMAN: I am sorry that an important thing like this which infringes on the power of this House, which is within the Provincial Legislative List and which power we are going to delegate to the Central Government to legislate upon should have been brought bv the Hon’bie Minister with such a short notice. Therefore, Sir, I would request the Hon’bie Minister to jfwstpone itwS consideration for the time being and when all members will be in a position to consider this, w^e may get it passed. That can be done before the dOth September if the House so agrees. It would only require a few minutes' time. Therefore, Sir, there is no point in hurrying such an imiiorUint matter through the Legiskitive Assembly and I would request the Hon’bie Minister to agree to postponement of the con- si<leration of this resolution. Otherwise, if the Hon’bie Minister is not in a position to do this, I would stand on the (luesfion of notice because it is a short notice which cannot be done and which, I will say, is not in order. Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: I think this rescdution, coming as it does, iiifringe.s on the rights of this House. It soys that the Provincial Legislature is Imrdly competent to le^-islate on such matters. I think it would be wrong to go to tlie (V‘ntrtil Legislature in which we have got no confidence wliiilsoever at this critical juncture. So, I think it would be totally unwise on the part of the Hon’bie Minister to go to tlie Central Legislature in the form of a re.solution lather than make a legislation here on the floor of this House with the consent of the parties sitting together. So, my suggestion is \o have a piece of legi.slation in however short a time it may he and not to go up U) the Central Legislature. The Hon’bie Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir. ] would like time till toiiKUTow t<» consider whether a resolution — one comprehensive resolution — should not meet the re(iuirements. If you deter the consideration of this residution till tomorrow, that would be better. Mr. SPEAKER: All right, it is postponerl till tomorrow. The Bengal Molasses Control Bill, 1946. The Hon’bie Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I lieg to introduce the Bengal Molasses Control Bill, 194(5. (Secretary then read the short title of the Bill.) Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Mr. Spe<iker, Sir, the copy of the Bill was circulated amongst tlie members only today just now. Mr. SPEAKER: I think it will not he taken up today. You will have ample time to cx)nsider it. It has only been introduced. Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: May I request the Hon’bie Minister not to proceed with this Bill further. Mr. 8PEAKER: Only introduction today. When he (xunes up with a motion for consideration tomorrow, you may raise these questions. Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: We oppose the very introduction of this Bill. Introduction nl^y be done tomorrow. Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Since you were kind enough to accept the suggestion from the other side, I hope the Hon’bie Minister will also accept this suggestion that this thing be held over because of short notice. It may be brought tomorrow. 194 $.] GOVERNMENT BILL. 15 ! Tht Hon’bl# ilr« MOHAMMED ALI: I am afrreeable to the a^ptaoM of thot proposition provided the honourable the Leader of the Opmsition will agree to the introduction, consideration and posing of the BiU tomorrow. It will be noticed that the Control Bill will expire on the 30th September. Mr. SPEAKER: No question of introduction. It has alreedy been introduced. Mr. KIRAN SANKAR ROY: The Hon’ble Minister will realise that 1 cannot give any such undertaking until I rejid the Bill. It is on that ground that I oppose introduction today. Adjournment. The House wiis then adjourned at 3-27 p.m. till 2-30 p.in. on Wdnesday, the 18th September, 1040, at the Assembly House, Calcutta. [18th Sbpt., Prpceedmgi iff the Beagel Leghlaiive A$$emUy Muembled under f) if provisions of tho Govominont of Indm Actf 1935* Tub Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Wednesday, the 18th September, 1946, at 2-30 p.m. Present: Mr. Speaker (the Hon’ble Mr. Nitrul Amin) in the Chair, 7 Hon’ble Min inters and 202 members. Obituary. Mr. SPEAKER: Ladies and ^^entleinen, it i.s my melancholy duty to refer to tli(‘ .sad death of Dr, Hasan Suhrawardy which took place this mornin^^ after a [)rotra(ted illness. Dr Suhrawardy was a man of out- standing^ perMUiality. From the post ot a rural Assistant Surj?eon in the servicj* (d the (lovern merit of ltejij»-al he rose to he the Chief Medical and Health Otlieer, Indian State itailuay.s. and later (diief Medical Othcer of the Fast Indian Uailwas .system h\ sheer dint of merit. He was up])ointed in lOd-i as the ILmorary Sui^^eon to the Viceroy. He was for some liim* Honorary Con-^ultin/^’ Sui>reon, Medical College Ho.spital.s, Calcutta, Dt‘un of Facull^ of Medicine, and Chairman of the (ailcutta Branch of the British Medical Associati<»n. Besides his skill in the medical scieme ami rejmtation as a suro-fon, he W’as well known for lii.s a<‘tivities in the fields of politics and eilucation where he held many important [msilions. IL* was a memher of the old Benj^al Le^islativ(‘ (hiuncil from 1921 --1925 and was elected its Deputy Fresident in 1923 and held the po.st as lon^r as Ik' wa.s a memher oi that body. He was a memher of the Buhlic Service Commis.Mon (1937 — Ht39) and wais later appointed Adviser to the Secretary of State tor India in 1939. He w’as a sitting memher of the Cmitral Legislative As>emhly. As Fresident of the Board of Stmlies Arabic and Fersian, Fresident of the Boanl of Studies, Mediidne, 19*(dessor of Public Health and Hygiene, Calcutta Cniversity, and as a memher ot the Senate, he took great lutere.st in matters educational. He was Leader of the Indian Delegation of the IJritish Empire Cniversity Congrevs in 1931. His meritorious services to the country as an educationist were reiogniseil by his ap]»oiutment as the Vice-Chancellor of the (^alcutta Cniversity in 1930, a post which he held with great distinction till 1934. The (hilcutta ITiiversity conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Science and the London Cniversity conferretl on him the honorary degree <)f Doctor t>f Laws. He was a Commander of the Dnler of St, John and held the rank of a Lieutenant- Colonel in the Army and was the ('oiumanding Otfiier, Second J^uttalion, Calcutta Cniversit\ Training Corps. His meritorious career all along was marked by a rt*cognition of his services from time to time by the confer- ment of titles and honours. In 1927 he wu*! given the D.B.E., in 1930 Kaiser-i-Hin«l Meilul of the First (Mass and in 1932 he was created a Knight. These honours were won by him at different stages of his life and as a loyal >uhject he very mmdi appreciated the recognition of his services in the shape of these honours. But when the time for action came, nothing was too dear to him wdiicW he could not sacrifice for the sake of his principles in life. He surrendered all these honours jil the call of the national organisation he belonged to. His services to the country in different capacities are so many and so varied that it is difficult to enumerate all of them. But it must be said that as Founder-President of the Senranbi of Humanity Society he has done great philanthropic work. 1946.] OBITUARt. He came of one of tlie ancient Muslim families of Bengal and was the son of a renowned Arabic scholar, Maulana Obaidul-lahel Obaidy. He combined in himself the best of the cultures of the East and the West. His urbanity of manner, coolness of temperament and affectionate disposi- tion gathere<l round him a host of friends who now mourn his loss. The House, no doubt, will express iU sympathy to the Leader of the House, whose loss is a personal one and to Mrs. jkramullah who was elected by this, House as its representative in the Constituent Assembly. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is perhaps the desire of the House to convey a message of comloleuce to the bereaved family. I shall now ask the mem- bers to signify their assent hv rising in their seats. (Members rose in tlieir seats.) Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Seeretarv will take the necessary action. * As he was the Deputy President of th«‘ old ConiH’il, 1 adjourn this. House as a mark ot ropcct to the nicniorv of the deceased till 2 p.m. tomorrow. Adjournment. The Jlouse was then adjourned at 2-d*) p.m. till 2 p.m. on Thursday, llie 19th Septemher, DMb, at the Ass(‘inhl\ ILjum*. (’alcuttu. [19th Seft., Proceedinff of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled under the provisions of the Government of India Act# 1935* The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Thursday, the 19th September, 1946, at 2 p.m. Present: Mr. Speaker (the Hon'ble Mr, Xurul Amin) in the Chair, 8 Hon’ble Ministers and 2d4 members. Oath. The followinfip member took the oath of allegiance: — Mr. C. B. G. Wacle, elected by the Chittagong Division Europeans. Motiofis of No-conffdence. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Mr Speaker, Sir, I move that this Assembly expresses its want of confidence in the Council of Ministers. At the outset 1 express my deepest sympathy for the poor and innocent who had died and suffered injuries in the great carnage of Calcutta, and in the mofussil areas in Bengal. My symiuithy goes to the members of the l>ereaved families. I move this motion with a full sense of responsibility and with a depth of feeling, because it had followed the five eventful days from the Kith August to the 2tHh August, of carnage, loot and arson, unexampled in modern Indian History. During these days, thousands had died, many thousands had suffered injuries, inanv thousands had lost their all, houses, goods, shops, furniture, jewellery, clothings, employments and means of livelihood, in the presence of the police without anv protest from them. Many had been rendered homele.s.s, many children had lost their parents, the poor and th(‘ innocent had suffered the most. The Council of Ministers is a limb of the Muslim I^eague Party. It has got no separate existence. While explaining the Government nosition in this House when on the 12th of August, I sought to move an adjournment motion on declaring by the Government, the 16th of August as a public holiday, Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali said, “The Chief Minister of the Province is a dual personality. He is not only the Chief Minister of tha Bengal Government, hut the leader of the political orjjani.sution, namely, that of the Muslim League. He is to abide by the decision of the oigani- Bution”. So, the whole body of Ministers are also to abide by the decision of the Muslim League, I shall now mention to you the background previous to that fateful day of the Kith of August. The Muslim I^eague by its lesolu- tion on the 29th of July fixed August 16th for the observance of the “Direct Action'* throughout India. The Committee called upon the Muslims to observe hartal on the day, to hold public meetings and to stage other demons- trations. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, General Secretary of the All-India Muslim League, in exnlaining what is meant by the “Direct Action" declared on the 7th August tnat Direct Action means resorting to non^constitutional methods. Direct Action means any action against the law. The Hon’ble Mr. Suhrawardy in an interview in Delhi on August 10th forecast declara- tion of complete independence by Bengal and setting up of a parallel Government. Khwaja Sir ITnximuddin, ex-Premier of Bengal and a member of the Muslim League Working Committee, in an interview with the United Press of India on the 9th of August when asked to clarifjr the implication of Direct Action said, “There are hundred and one ways in which we can create difficulties, specially when we are not restricted to non-violence* The Mualim population of Bengal know very well what Direct Action would mean 1946.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 91 and we need not botlier to give them any lead'*. (At thij* stage Mr. A. E. Faziul Iluq entered tlie House with his party amidst prolonged cheers and cries of **Allah-o-Akbar,’* “Muslim Ijeugue Ziudabud," “Fukistan Ziudabad’* and “8her-e-Hangala Ziudabad,“ from Government lamchee. He took liis seal in the front Hue of the treasury benches.) In Sind, the only other province where Muslim Is*ague ruled, Mr. Gholam Ali, Home Minister, commenting on Muslim 1/eague‘s Hoinbny decision was quoted as having said that the Muslim la'iigue had tle<lured holy war against the enemies of the Muslim nation, namely, the Cojjgress. AnvlHuly opposing them in pursuit of their olgectives will he dotroyed and exterminated. Fir Eluhi Ilux, Iteveuue Minister, said, “About one humlred years back the British with the help t»f the Ilindu^ wrested power from the Muslims. We shall wreak vengeance on them and will establish Fakistan. I warn {\m-^rvss men that it you attempt p) rule over b\ tampering with the loyalty of some Mussalmans, your fate will he that of Satanic Germans’*. The Ministers of the two Muslim League juovimes openly incited people to law breaking and \i<denee, and so the point at issue is, whether I/eague Ministry which is wedde<l to the policy of breaking the law can remain us the custodian of tin- lives and propcities ot the ]a‘oplc. The licai^ue cannot function both as a breaker ami prcMU vev <»} the (knistitutioii ami laiw. If it IS the jirnilege ot a political j>ar1y to aehiexe its ohjeetive by breaking ibe law, tin’ll it is eiiually the pri\ileg«* oi the people to demand that such a ]»arty shall not and eaimot remain as a eiistiidiam of the law\ When the Congress askial people to break tlie law, it did not do it while in office as a custodian oi the law. it lesigned its (dliee and then aski'd the jieoplft tt) break the law. On tlie loth »t August, the day preceding the fateful day, Mr. (H'orge Morgan on behall of ihe European party gave a warning and said that they (European (iroiip) consideriMl that tlie action of didcaring the Kith of August as a public Indiday was, to say the least of it, unwise and it created a \ery hud jireeedent. Ifeferriiig to the slaleimmts of the (’hi(‘f Minister and the |•'illanee Minister that the action bail been taken for the maintenance of )»cacc and order. Mr. Moigan said that it setuned to them (tlie European Kaity) that the artion was likely to d<‘ieat its tdiject in that the [iiihlic, having nothing elsi* t(» do on that day, would be free to do anything they liked and communal trouble weu’il [irohahly arise*. The Cliief Minister must he aware of the danger of trouble arising ami holding as ho does the portfidio ot Law and Order, he will he liard imt to it to keep the ])euee : he further said, “an atmosjehere of uncertainty ami tear had been <*n‘ated by this action of OoveiirnuMit and that was a very dangerous atmos- phere”. Really Mr. Morgan gave* a warning to tln' (ioverninent with a projihetic vision. By the utterance of the Muslim League headers and the* Ia*ague Ministem and by declaring the KHh ot August as a puhiie* holiday for tbe ohservuiice of the “Direct Action Day’* of the Muslim League, the f’oum il eit MinisteTS led the Mu^iliins to believe that they have g<»t the jteiwer to enforce the obser- vance of the jireigramme by resorting to any vieelent means— hweling, arson and murder, if nece.ssury. For that ohjeet in vie-w* a planned arrangement was made to observe the day. A large number of regulation /othiji of the same size were imported from outside, lethal weapons w*ere also imported. To cite one instance, in the hustee in Mission Row, Hindu and Muslim cobblers lived in peace and amity. It was during the nights of some days ])reviou8 to the 10th of August, weapons, namely, lathu, spears, daggers, etc,, were supplied to the Muslim cobbWs and in fear the Hindu cobblers left the bustee on the 10th of August and thus saved themselves. In the afternoon and during the night of I5th of August, many Muslim young men came out in procession armed with UithU of the regulation size, crying Muslim lieague war slogans. In the morning of the 16tn of August, procees- sionistfl armed with laihit and cxymg war slogans passed through the Mtrsanur Street and •forcibly closed the doors of the shops which were opened. At about 8 a.ni. of the 16th of August, a Muslim League flag was MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [19th Sbpt., 92 hoisted on the Kiiwn CoHeg® building which was subsequently removed by the Hindus, and immediately the Muslim hooligans armed with daggers, lathis f soda-water bottles attacked the Ripou College Hostel and the coile^. The Secretary of the Students’ Union of the Ripon College phoned the HoiCble Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy who told him in reply that he could not interfere now. At Manicktola Bazar, Hindu shops were looted by the Muslim hooligans early in the morning of the IGth of August in* the presence of the police. Very close to the crossing of the Harrison Road And College Street “Luxmi Stores”, a big (;loth shop, was looted by the Muslim hooligans in the presence of the police. The sergeants and the police participated in the loot. In the College Street Corporation' market "Dalia”, a very big shop, and some other big shoe shops were looted in the presence of the police. The owner of “Radii Stores” who is a Muhammadan on the other side of the road used fire-guns in dispersing the Hindu crowd who gathered to prevent the loot of “Dalia” and other shops in the presence of the armed police and the sergeants. I personally saw the looting, arson and murder committed in the presence of armed police, but the police did not interfere. On the afternoon of the Kith August, wdiile a building was attacked by a mob with deadly weapons, I phoned the Police (Joinmissioner to send armed police force; otherwise dire conseciuenccs would tollow but without any etfect. From all quarters ol the city the looting of the Iliiulu shoj»s began either in the morning, and ia the noon of the 16th August the police at Lai Bazar, the Hou’bh' Miuisler, Mr. H. S. Suhrawanly and the Private SiMrctarv to the (lovernor of Ihuigal wore piioncd for police Kv(*rvwhcre tlie appeals from tile helpless p(‘ople produced no results. 'Die fidlowing outstanding facts are admitted on all hands: — (a) In spite of jirotcst hy tin* Hindu public the Kith of August was declared as public holiday. (h) From th(‘ early hours of the Kith of August the Muslim proce*>- sionists came out with /ofA/'t and daggers and other deadly weapons and asked the bu.sine.ssiuen to clu.^i* iheir shops; on refusal they wtue cruelly assuulted and slio])s were looted. And even the closed shops were looti'd, \iz.. “l).ilia'‘ and (»ther shojis. (c) In the early hours of the Kith of August, there was not even an ordinary jiolice guard on the street, not e\eu traflic jolice. Ordinarily tin* ]Kdicc aie jM»sted at tlie time ot the Mohurruiii and otluM' |»ro(‘es.sion8. Ordinary ])reventive step-^ even were not tuk(*n hy the (ii>vcrnment. (il) Ihdice help \ius sought by the people hut no help was rendered. When jMditeinen were available tliQ^v ])leaded iicljikssiiess in the situation having had no order to do an\ tiling. (e) The oflicers in charge of the police stations when informed of the disturbances did not render any help hut rather pleaded their iuul)ility and asked the people to protect themselves. (f) Muslim goondovS and hooligans used the lorries to carry the weapons even in the meeting presided over by the Hoii*ble the Chief Minister. Large number of and other weatKins were Uirricd to the meeting by the loni«‘> and sufficient quantity of petnd were used hy the Muslini goondas in setting hre to the louses. {ff) The normal practice of sending foot and mounted jwlice to accom- pany procession was not ohservt^d. (A) From an account of the Brigadier S. I). C. Sixsmith, officiating Commander of Bengiil and Assam area, that at 12-30 a.m. on August IT, he was informed by telephone that the jiolice con- sidered that they could no longer control the situation without military assistance and military was posted late in the afternoon of the 17th August. And for two days the city of Calcutta was im.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENOK. 0 $ thrown opn to the hooli^n^ and of the city. It it remarkable to note here tliat during the whole of the IGth of August the police bad not tired a single rtuiiid though in their presence the looting, arson and murder went on M*ith all the furies. We were' wondering all these times if we were living under any Government. We felt that the Government of the day desired that the goonda raj should be established to alow the gtHindus and hooligans to murder with- all sorts of deadly weapons including tire wcaiwns, and to loot and commit arson. These jKTOunt.*^ arc not accouiit.s of iulerestod persons. Such accounts were published in the Mu.slim paper “Ar.ad’*. 1 do not know what the attitude of the European party uow will he regarding the no- confidcuce motion hut their mouthpiece the “Statesman” in its editorial column of the 20th of Aug\ist described the I’aleuttu scene in the folowing terms : — “When we wrote two days ago the eondition in ('ulcutta were horrifying: they have passed beyond that since. They wert‘ toleruhh' tlien in com- parison with what was subseiiueiitly seen ” This is not a riot, it needs a word found in nmdievul history, a fury, yet “fury” sounds spontaneous, hut there must have hi'en a deIil>eration and organisation to set this iury «»n the ^\uy. The hordes >\ho laii about battering and killing with 8 ieel hiflus may have found them lying about or brought them (Hit of their own pockets but that bard to belicvt*. W(‘ huv(> already eommcnted on the bauds \vlu» found it easy t(» get pidi’ols and vehicl«‘S when no others were permitted on the str«‘c|s, It is not mere supjwsition that men were imported into Calcutta in making an impression. “Statesman” by its leading articles of the few days folbiwing the Great Killing of (.'alcutta has madt* it (dear that tins (’oiincil of Ministers whieh is responsible for maintenance of law and order have failed in it <4 primary duty of protecting the lives and propt'rlies oi tlie ja'ople. The “Statesman” .stated, “the present Muslim Eeague Miuistry'H primary responsibility tor the liloody slmmldes to which the (-apital of the J’rovince has been reduced is inescapahb*,” It is impossible to (‘numerate the innumerable instances in which the (fovernment failed to protect the lives and properties of the p(*ofde, living under their cure. For the lust one month they have appeared in their naked brutality in all pajmrs ol all shades of ojiinion. For the purjiose of this motion it is also not to the point whether it was the Muslims or Hindus who were aggressors, (diapters ran he written that the Muslims were aggressive and Tooting, arson and murders were eomiuitt(‘d by them first and the Ifindus suhse([U(*ntly retaliated. The doubtful farts that are meiition(*d in the papers supporting the Miwlini lieague that on the Kith of August of thii numlMTs of the injured and dead persons admitted in the liosfutals the Muslims were larger tfian Hindus, do not and cannot give the true picture. The Muslims had under their control the lorries and buses to (!arry the wouneb^d persons hut tlie Hindus had not and the number of the dead persons lying (ui tin* streets were not considered and all the h^wpitals were not mentioned. The main issue arising in this motion is not if the Muslims or Hindus wen* aggressive but it i.s if the Government have failed in its primary duty of maintenance of law and order and of protecting the live.s and properties of the people. H^re it cannot but be admittted on all hands that the Governrri(»nt has failed in its prim&ry duty and the f’oiincil of 5finisters are responsible for all the murders, loot and axs<jn and slnmld be tried in an open and impartial court. It is childittb for the Minister to say that the polir^e had failed in their duties and had been responsible for loot and murders and the Council of Ministers cannot be jicld responsible for that. The Police who were res- ponsible for such a carnage unexampled iu the Indian History are still there and are busy in making discruninaioiy arrests between the Hindus u MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [19th Sbpt., and Muslims. They are allowed to function. The Ministers should have suspended the Police Commissioner and moved for his dismissal. If they faimd to do so, they should have resigned. Otherwise the Council of Ministers cannot escape responsibility. I sliiil] now turn to what bad happened in Eastern Bengal and to what had been happening there and bow the Council of Ministers is responsible for those incidents. The conditions in Eastern Bengal are such that the Hindus there are living in a state of insecurity and their lives have become intolerable. The Ministers and Muslim licague leaders by their indiscreet utterances and by their conduct have led the j)erinanent Muslim ofiicers to l>elieve that they are Muslim ivt^aguers first and consequently the perfor- mama's of their duties are influenced by communalism. This is a new form of c(»rruption which has viliated the whob* servic'e and according to the plan all the key positions in the mutassil arc held by the Muslim officers. On the lOOi of August at Ciiandpur the Muslim processionists hoisted the Muslim lieague flag on the (avil Court Building, looted the Hindu shops on both sides of the Dakutia khal, set fire to Hindu houses, assaulted the Hindus. 8toi>ped tlie trains, forced the passeng(‘rs out, assaulted the two i-oiistables, snatched away the two under- trial j)risonerH under guard, almost in the i)resence of the Subdivisional Officer and without any protest. (At tliis stage the red light was lit.) Mr. SPEAKER: Mr Dattu, your tiiue is over. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Please allow me five minutes more. Mr. SPEAKER: I thought that at least the Deputy Leader of the Congre.s.s Jhirty will abide by his own decision . Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA; It has been decided that other speaker will not take much time. Mr. SPEAKER: As a special case I allow you time. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: No attempt was made by the police or hy tlie Subdivisional Officer to protect tlie lives and properties of the Hindu jmpulation. Subseiiuenlly the disturbances had spread into the rural areas and Hindu sho]>s of Faridgunge Bazar in Chandpur subdivision an<l of Salimgunge Bazar in Bruhiminbaria subdivision were looted. Ill Banoharnmpur police-station in Brahmanbaria subdivision many houses of the Kaibartas anti one Mahim Chandra Ghose had been burnt. The persons affected ai*e l,2O0 and only 25 persons have been arrested and already tbe “Azad”, the Muslim League paper, had written that the police oppression had begun at Bancharanipur. Any false and inaccurate news are allowed to be published in that paper. Train dacoities and robberies attended with murders are common ojourrences in the Bengal-Assain Bailway between Kishoreganj in Mymensingh district and Akhaura in Tippera district. ^ One such occurrence had happened on the “Jd” day. The properties of one Satyendra Nath Biswas who was travelling in the inter-elAss compart- ment were robbed by fifteen Muslim young men who boarded the compart- ment at Brahmanbaria station. While those goondas got down near Ashttganj, they snatched- away the pregnant wife of Satyendra Nath Biavaa and the dead body of his wife was found floating in the water near Ashuganj. The Su^bdivisional Officer of Brahman haria arrested some of the goondas in the possession of whom looted articles were found. This has invoked an editorial comment in “Aiad”: ^RN 1946.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 98 Sucb comments speak for themselves. It speaks volumes how the goondas styling themselves as Muslim I^Miguers can with impunity run havoc amongst the jpoor untl innocent people. The complaint is that the Suhdivisional Officer of Kishoreganj releases these goondas on bails even when they are accused of heinous non-hailable offences, viis,, robbery and murders. He releases (hem because they are the supnortors of the Muslim Ijt»ague and with their help the Pakistan will be estanlisbed, I cannot but refer to a recent incident of this nature. In the district of Mymensingli one goods train was stopped and looted by 200 goondas armed with ileadly weapons near Itegunhari railway station on Pengal-Assum Railway on the night the llth September. One Raja Ali was arrested hy the police and he made a confession before the Magistrate imidicuting 00 other persf)ns. hut on the next day he was advised to retract his confession ;iml he ili<l it and he was released by the Magistrate. Th« Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY; Sir, may 1 make earnest request. I do want to follow what the honouruhle member is reading. Will he kindly read a little bit slowly P Mr. OHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Very well Such action on the part of the Magistrate is tantamount to micouraging such offence. Magistrates do such things with impunity and under certain plan, vi*., the establishiiKMit of i^ikistan with goondas. Mr. MD. KHUDA BUKH8H: On a point of order, Sir. Are these incidents (jiiite pertinent to the present motion P Mr. 8PEAKER: Yes, the motion is a general one. Mr. OHIRENDRA NATH DATTA; Oovernment though informed do not take any steps against such Magistral(*s. Troubles in Jumaljiur in tlie MyiiKMisiiigii district are more serious. At Isluinpore Hindu shops had been looted, a jute godown haf» been gutted and a Hindu merchant had b(*en killed and thrown into the tire. In many other villages Hindu houses liad been looted. Hindu shop-ke(‘pers are b(*ing prevented from Mtiing in Z/o/.v and boyiott is being openly pitaiebed. The Subdivisioiia) Officer, .lamalpur, lias been tlireatmiing ili(‘ Hindus to behave properly, otLei'aise he will not be able to save the Hindus from Muslim aggression. His speeclo'S and threats to lespiiiisihle Hindu leaders for their alleged offence fif eoinmunieating iiiforiniition about troubles to the District Magistrate have encouraged the Muslims to he aggressive. The Magi.strati* of the district of Chittageng has surpassed all. He has issued a statement referring to the 10^1 August incident warning the Hindu public not tO provoke the Muslims. If thev do, they will not avoid total destruetifwi. He has not got any responsibility for giving protection to the minority cemmunity us the Muslims are determined to shed (htdr bbaul for arliieviiig Pakistan. Such a statement befits Muslim League leaders an they all tlirisiten the destruction of the minority community in the Muslim majority province. On the 17th August, the meeting of Ram Munohar l 4 ohia was dispersed by the Muslims w^ith the help of the District Magistrate as alleged by the Socialist [reader in hi.s statament. In Noakhali, (here baYe been rnttrders of persons in the rural areas ^nd looting of shops. Dacca is a plague-spot the province. The disturbances there had begun on the 20th of August and had continued up till this day. There have been stabbing, looting of .shops and arson. The incidents there will be narrated by my friend Mr. Oanendra t'handra Hhaltacharya. Dacca is a place wher^ Ihe business Bad come to a standstill just as ^in Calcutta and the people cannot live there. in a state of security. The * Government iuive failed in their primary duty in maintaining law and order by lb© oiliijisioita and commi 0 sttma of^tKeir officers. 7 M MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [19th Sm., Mr. IPEAKEBJ Tour attention ia again drawn to the red light. The nd light ia on. Mr. OHIRENORA NATH OATTA: One minute more, Sir. It may )e contended by the Council of Ministers that they are not responsible for he acts of their officers. 1 must tell before I take my seat that even egally they are responsible. Moreover the officers concerned are certainly icling on the advice of the Council of Ministers. It is reiiiarkahle to note here that in Western Bengal where Hindus ire in majority, no reports of any oppres.sion from rural areas by the lindiis upon the Muslinis have reached u>. This shows which wtiy the rind blows. Firstly, this Ministry cannot remain as the custodian of law as they heinselves are lireakers of law and ask people to break the law. Secondly, admittedly the incidents of the city of Calcutta and the lappentng in Kastern Bengal are due to the failure of the police and the Executive Officers to do their ])riinary duties of maintaining law and rder and protecting the lives and propeities of the people under their are and tlie Council of Ministers cannot escape responsibility and they herefore stand condemned. Sir, with these words. I commend my motion for the acceptance of he House. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sir. 1 heg to move that this House ixpresses its want of confidence in the Cliief Minister, the Hon’ble dr. H. S. Suhrawunly, who is also the Minister in charge of Law and )rder. In moving this motion, Sir, I am (‘onscioiis of a sense of heavy esponsihility. I am aware that tension atid juinic, j>arti«ularly in the rioi'ussil, is still very great. Stray incidents, both in Calcutta and tiofussil are still being reportt*<l. In a situation which is yet explosive, do fully realise the necessity of utmost r(‘straiiit ot saying or doing lOthing which may exaciuhate communal feelings or sow fresh seeds if discord and disharmony. If tlie jiarty to which I have the honour to lelong considereil it ifecessary to bring in this motion it was because ftt*r mo.st careful and arduous eonsiderutioii it could not help arriving t this inescapable conclusion that public confidence cannot be fully evived nor peace, order and tranquillity assureil, if law and order iontinues to he the charge of a Minister under whose regime the idminislratioii for law and order (^ther hroki' down or was rendered nnocuous for four fateful days during which Calcutta w^a* handed over o hnvless elements to indulge in orgies of rapine, arson and murder May 1 also say, Sir, tliat it pains me to have to move this motion. k new* member to this House, I am not ashamed to confess that I was nuch impressed by the colourful personality of the Chief Minister. Ihe large-hearted and courageous manner «.in which he had handled two ncidents — one connected with the demonstration for the release of jolitical prisoners and the other with the arrest of a member of this B[()use— had evoked my admiration. To have therefore to move this notion painful to me but I reali§e it is a necessary public dttty. Sir, a cold, matter of fact narration of events without embellishments >r much comment will suffice to prove beyond cavil the utter an<i the most reprehensible failure Wn the part of the Chief Minister to diseharge liis elementary duties as The Minister responsible for the mamtenance ^f law and order. I shall sort ou| the facts and tha ooncluaions that emerge therefrom into thre« secticms. I shall first briefly describe certain tacts up to and inclusive of the l5th Au^st. In the second place 1 shall refer to the four cataslrophio days which witnessed a more or less complete paralysis of law and order. In the third place I shall MOTIONS OF NOOONFIDENCE. 97 1946.] examine the aftermath of Calcutta's terrible ordeal and show that, oven apart from his sins of omission and commission in the interest of the future political and economic well-being of the province itself, the Chief Minister must vacate his high office. In reference to facts during the first period, 1 do not intend to take \ou. Sir, beyond the period when the Council of the All-India Muslim League met at Bombav and passed l\vi» resolutions wliich, 1 am sure, future historians will hold us most jH*ruieif>us and short-sighted. One of these rejected the (abinet Delegation s hotli long-term and short-term proposals and the other deci<led to resort to «lirec( action in order to attain IhikiNtan. Since that meeting the rumblings of the Muslim League v<ilcauo in the sliape of statements from responsihie leaders mounted in an ascending crescendo until it finally erupted in Calcutta with violent consequences. On August, ‘,?nd, Maulaua Akrum Khan raised the battle cry in Bengal. '‘The struggle for rakistaii,” he announced, “has begun. Our resolution of Direct Action will soon be (ran.slated into action.” On the Ibth Khwaja Nazimuddin made a statement to which Mr. Ihitia has already referred. And did not. Sir, as events have so clearly demonstrated, the Muslim population know very well what Direct Action was intended to mean y On the same day, that is the lOth, Mr. Oazdar in Karachi left us in no doubt of the intention of the Muslim League to paralv.se India's administration and hinted that the fight would very likeL' deveb )p into a civil war. A civil war, Sir, did not smite us like a bolt from tlie blue, but apjiears to have Ix'en carefully and sedulously prejmred for (A voh'k fhom tiik tiovKitNMKNT lliCNt iiKs : By you.) That only you will find out for yourself later on when the KiKjuiry (Ommishion en([Uin‘H into the whole thing. On the 11th, in an intervie^^ granted to the Associated Pre.ss of AiiieruMi, (iiir Chief Minister stated that it the Congress were to he put into ]>ower, a jirobable i(‘.sult would be “the declaration of comphdi^ indcpcmhuico by Bengal and the setting up of a parallel (lovcriimciit.” The Chief Minister known the coiistitutioniil position too well to make , smdi foolish stato- ments w*ith no purpo.se. I leave it to honouiahle incunhers of (his House to draw’ their own eoueluHioa.s about the intenlions of I lie (diief Minister in making such statements as also their inevitable effects on the already e.xcited Muslim ninsse.s wdio are comiiletely ignorant of constitutional position and procedure. To crown all, Mr. Omnun, Secretary of the ('aleutta District Muslim liougue, widely cinoiiatod among Muslim's a Urdu pamphlet which, in sjiite of his protestatioiia to the contrary, I maintain directly incited them to open violeiKx*. But 1 will not read it out, although I have the text here. J am also told, Sir, on a reliable authority that oral instructioms ww issued that Muslima should come out in big processions of the Kith, with InthU, morfht daggers and other weapons. (A voick: Funny.) Such inflammatory statements and instructions issued by Tcsponsibie League leaders clearly indicate that serious trouble was to be apprehended on August Kith. I may also mention here the observation which a member of the League Working Committee i« reported to have made to a foreign (‘orronnondent some days before August IGth. The Muslim Iveaguer said, ^‘if you want to see real fire-works, go to Calcutta”. Taxing the cue, this corrspondent did eome to Calcutta. And did not he, Sir, see some fire- works? Even the Chief Minister acknowledged in the Bengal Council that a public holiday had been declared on August 16th, “for the purpose of minimising the risks of conflicts and in the interests of peace and order”* I would particularly request Sir, to note the words "minimising the risks of conflicts”, the implication being that «ven the Chief Minister expected conflicts and could only hope that they would ^not be too seHous or widespread. 1 must acknowledge hm MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [19th Sept., that unlike most of the Muslim League leaders, Mr. Ahul Hashim, Secretary of the Provincial Muslim League, who is also a member of this House, had issued a rather sober statement just before August, 16tb, emphasizing that their struggle was against British Imperialism alone. Uniortunatcdy Jiis appeal had no effect whatsoever on his compatriots. In a situation whicli was certainly moat explosive I believe, Sir, it W'ould strike you us it does me that the first and foremost duty of the Minister in <;harge of Law and Order, unless he had other intentions, should have been to make arrangements in advance for the provision of udecjuate police jirecaiitionary measures, particularly in threatened zones and also of sufficient police guards to accompany the processionists on the Ifith. A prudent and a little farsighted Minister should also have prohibited the currying of any weajions by the processionists. That no such measures were at all adopted is a mystery which baffles me, except on the liypothesis, as suggested by Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose, that the Muslim League was “spoiling for a fight”. 1 am afraid, Sir, the Chief Minister cannot shirk responsibility as he has sought to do, by iiiuking the Commissioner of Police, tlie scapegoat. It is quite h'gitimute to ask what precautionary measures the Police Commissioner liad adopted for August Kith. But the t'hief Minister himself cannot escape lesponsihility, particularly as he knew that serious trouble was brewing. As Minister in charge of l^iaw' and Order he has a special duty, and J maintain that the situation prior to Augiist IGth, was sufficiently threatening to demand his special attention with a view to satisfying himself that adeciuate measures were taken to prevent an\ disturbance of public peace <tn that day. No amount of casuistry, bluff’ or strong or abusive language will alter this basic fact, Befor(‘ I ])roce(*d to the second chapter of my grim story, there is one mutter to which 1 should like to make a ])assing reference, although I consider it very imj>ortant. I triist tin* Chief Minister himself realises the extreme incongruity of the position he occupies in the public of the country, and particularly in Bengal. As head of the (lovernment, his first and foremost duty is to maintain Law and Onler and lake tin* most drastic measures against activities which, directly or indireetl\ , ma\ seriousl\ <‘inbinger puldic ]>eaoe and t rainjuillity . As a leader Of tlie Muslim licague, he has at the same time to urge and inciU* Ins ftilbnveis to «lo things which can only result in breaches of law and <listurhunce of neaee. The Chief Minister’s allegiance to his pait\ has untortunatelv always proved stronger r(*gardless of conse(iupnces, limn his allegiance to his office. Tii truth, he has been playing the rob* <»f a Dr. rL'kyll and Mr. Tl^de. 1 do not know if he thinks that he lias special aptitmles for this rob*, but all that I can say is tliat any deci'iit and lionourable gentleman would have found such a position as dishonest as it is loathsome, August Ihth, which climaxes the events up to the lotli and opens the second imriod of appalling carnage and loss, will, I am sure, he recorded by future histiuians as ushering in a most infamous chapter in our political history, which, I only hope and pray, may he a very brief one. The happenings on that and the few subsequent da\s will long haunt and tonnent our memories as an evil nightmare, 1 was a witness to some of those ahameless and ghastly incidents. In the forenoon of the 16th from an office not far from the (’’alcutta Corporation and within almost a stoms’s throw kom a police-station. 1 saw shops being looted. During those days, when Calcutta was under the rule of sword, lathi and fire, to borrow an expression of “Capital,” I had toured practically ill over the city as a member of a mixed private rescue party, which evacuated both Hindus and Muslims to places of safety, and bad ample opportunities of seeing for myself the appalling destruction wrought m respect of life and property. I do not intend nor do I me.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 9i consider it necessary* to recount incidents of atrocities and brutalities For one thing* no wortls at my command are lurid enough to adequately] describe them. For another* tlie harrowing tales of these atrocities havt already been elaborately described. On the question. Sir, of ('ulcuttu being subject to a reign of terroi during August l(Uh-19th, as result^ of a breakdown of the inacbiuer) of law and order winch is tlie direct responsibility of the Chief Minister, there is no dispute between the coiniiiunities. Anarchy fell as trugioall) upon Mo>leuis as upon Hindus, and pre<h>miuantly upon the inmxjeui amongst them. Hoth Hindus and Moslems have ' therefore a right tc demand an expluuation ot the strange breakdown of tlie machinery oi law and order and the criminally neghgeiit oomluct of the polite during these fateful tlays. 1 wtuild like to ask the t hief Minister the following questions to which every citizen has a right ti» idituiii from him eutegorica] answers : — In tlie first jilace, in view of the overwhelming evidence that serious ♦ onfticts and breaches of the law were to he apprcheiidetl on August Kith, has the Chief Minister ascertained why tin* Coimuissioner of Polit‘e took no actitin under section of the tyulcutta Police Act, uhiab empow’erfi the Oimmissioner of Puli(‘e to institute measures for ensuring the orderly conduct of processions with a view' to seeming publit* safety aiul coiiveuieueei' ACill be also explain what the emergency scheme is. to which lie had made a reference el. sew he re? In the second [ilace, in view' of the outbreak of looting, arson and murder from the early morning of August Kith, will the Chief Minister explain his conduct in not coily presiding over the mass rally (d Musliins fixed for the atteruooii on that day, hut, what is worse, in further inflaming the jiassioiis <d an already excited crowd, many amongst whom had already committed serious breaches (d the law? In the thiid place, it was the exfierience of everybody, irrespectivi* of creed or commmiity. particularly on the Kith that police assistanci* and protection to law-abiding citizens was completely dmiied or ndused. Not only that, but what is much worse, the pidice in certain cases actually parti- cipated in arson and looting. Assaults, murders and looting took place under the very eyes of the police without any intervention on tlndr part. These are cognisable offenc'es and I understand the police arc criminully liable for not taking notice of them. I have it on unimpeachbah* authority that the fiolice, including high officials, when iijipealed to for help, had replied that they hud no orders. Such a plea is untenalile. since the offences are cognisable. If the police remained inac tive, thc*y must presum- ably have had definite instructions not fc» intervene, 'riiis is a \«Ty serious matter. From the Chief Minister'.s statement elsew’here, it would jappear that such instructions, if any, were given by the Police C/onitn ism oner, will the (diief Minister ascertain from the officer eoncerned the reasom* for the issue of such orders, and also state whether he had not considerwl it necessary in the disr’harge of his public* duties as Horne Ministc^r to iiiferveiia even in this matter? I*^ fourth plaee, in a press conference held on August 2'frd, Krigadier Sixsmith stated tbat even on Friday afternoon, the Pcdice contingent was ^<^^*J^iKed. Sir, much has been said, and I am sure more w’ill be said by honourable memlrers opposite about the inadecpiacv of the Calcutta Police Force. I am prepared to concede that some strengthening of this force is necessary But what is relevant in the context of the recent Calcuto tragedy is that even such fKilice force as the Government hud at their aisposal was not deployed either ade<|uately or in proper time and place. If this had been done, particularly as the military were always available,*! am sure* Calcutta would never have passe^l through such a reign of terror and much valuable life and property w'ould have be%n saved. 100 MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [1^ Skpt., Will the Chief Minister explain why the police force was not fully com- mitted in proper time and in the threatened zones, which, as Brigadiar Sixsniith stated, lay between Sealdah and Howrah? In the fifth place, as an explanation of the delay in obtaining military aid, the Chief Minister has stated elsewhere that the military was not pre- pared to come out in the beginning, while Brigadier Sixsmith asserted that it was only midnight of the 16th that he as the Commander of the area was summoned and told that the police was unable to control the situation without military assistance. Will the Chief Minister explain the discre- pancy in the two versions? In the sixth place, the Chief Minister, on his own admission, had spent long hours in tin* Control Room at Lai Bazar, but adds that he was merely watching the situation and did not interfere in any way with the Police Commissioner’s activities. If that is so, will he explain why at all he spent long hours in ihe Control Room, and also whether, in view of his personal knowledge of the developing situation, he did not consider it his public duty to issue instructions to the Commissioner of Police for the maintenance of law and order? In the seventh placse, the Chief Minister had stated elsew'here that the police had tried their utmost to quell the disturbances. Will be then explain how is it that the j>olice force in Calcutta emerged from such a .sanguinary conflict practically without a sera till, while in Bombay many p(dice personnel, including even the Police Commissioner, were seriously injured? Tn the eighth place, although I consider it most nngallant of the Chief Minister to shift the entire tesponsibility lor the disturbances to a subor- dinate officer, the Commissioner of Police, will the Chief Minister explain why this officer has not yet been suspended or dismis.sed or what disciplinary measures he jiroposes to take against him for liis utter incompetence and culpable dereliction of duty? In tlie ninth place, since the Chief Minister holds the policy of tlio Cabinet Delegation and the British (lovernment primarily responsible for these communal disturbances, will he say whether, in his opinion, the people of Bengal should reeoneiJe thein.selves to frequent visitations of the di moii of communal conflagration until such time as either the British Govern- ment will surrender to the League or reason or good sen.se will dawn upon it- — (T hk TIon’hi.k Mr. SiuMSuiunN Ahmad: The British Government hate already surrendered to ihe Congre8.s. Ton should know about that.) Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Ohose, your time is up. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: I was under the impresMon that I was given half an hour to speak. Mr# SPEAKER: Yes, that was the arrangement made with the different Leaders of the Parties, but some of your time has Wn taken up by the Deputy licader of the Congress Parliamentary Party. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sir, may I have a few minutes more? Mr. SPEAKER: You may speak for two minutes more. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sir, I cannot finish in two minutes. I may please be given five minutes so that Mr. SPEAKER: No. You may speak for two minutes only. Mr. BIMAL COMAR -CHOSE: If I have to speak only far two minutes I will My this ; that not only in view of what had happen^ but also in the economic interest of the province, it is extremely necessary that the Chief Minister must reeipi his pflSce. Because if Mr Suhrawardy eoatiaiiea in his present office the prosj^t that the economio life of the profiUm may be completely dislocated will become a certainty. The mfj 1^ im,] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFEDENCE. > 10 ] asked that if Mr. Suhrawardy has lost the confidence of the Housa^ what i the alternative f I would say, Sir, that the best alternative is a Govern ment of the major parties. If that is not a oractical proposition, it ma^ be asked what nood or pn>fit will result by merely replacing Mr, Suhraward; by somebody elseJ^ I should say. Sir, much gtK)d and profit. For, it wil demonstrate that a Minister, and a Minister in charge of law and order a that, who fails grievously in the discharge of his eleiiieutary duty of pn) tecting the life and proi)erty of the common citisen cannot continue witl impunity in his office but must pay the inevitable peunity. Such politico punishment will have a reassuring effect on badly shaken public confidence Sir, I can do no better than conclude my indict incut of llie (Jhie Minister by ijiiotiiig an observation of (’roinwcll to the Long Parliament which a British statesman — who is a great fricml of the party to which th< Chief Minister belongs -1 mean Mr. Leopohl Aincrv. applied to Mr. Nevill (,'haml)erlain, in course of a deluite in Parliament, which ultimately n*sulte< in Mr. Chamberlain’s rcjdacement by Mr. Churchill. This is what Crom well had said, and 1 would now su\ to the Chief Minister: “You hav sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and le us have done with you. In the mime of (lod. go.'’ Mr. ABUL HA8HIM: Mr. Speaker, Sir, today I have decided not U enter into any ui rimonitms discussion or to make any attempt to apportioi blame between the Hindus and the Muslims of Bengal having regard to whu repercussion and reaction it may produce in future. I wonder if tin motion of no-con fide nee tabled against the present Ministry should reall;; be a motion against the present Ministry or against the (Government o India Act of Iffdo and its authors and their allies. I have no doubt, as ] have full confidence in the intelligence and jmwer of understanding of oui friends on the Congress benches, that if they could rise above their owi peculiar interest and <‘ould sec things ohjeetivtdy and make an analysis o: the grievances of the Muslims in a dispassionate attitud(», they woulrf have instead of bringing a motion of no-confidence against this Ministry, parti cularly ugainut the Home Minister and the (’’hief Minister, the Hon’hh Mr. Suhruw'ardy, brought a motion of confidence in him. It is a thousnne pitv — because I have always, in spite of my difference with other partial and organisations of my eountry. maintained some respect ami regard foi my opponents — today when I hear from the Congress benches one of oui friends charging Mr. Suhrawardy for making the Commissiouer of Polici a scapegoat; I feel a thousand pity because in tlie ordinary course o: business one could never expe<'t the members of the Congress representing a great organisation which during recent years held aloft the torch of revolu tion and independence in India to say things like this and plead in defenei of the bureaucratic machinery of the Government. Let me disabuse myseP of my affiliation to the partv I have the honour of belonging to, bt!t as at honest and sincere man tnay I tell you, 8ir, from what I feet at heart tbn1 it is my conviction that what has happened did happen not due t< Mi*. Suhrawardy or his Ministry but in spite of them. T^et me in my owi way place before vou the causes that, I think and feel, led to this horribh bloody carnage. Sir, in my humble opinion there eiannot be a greater foo! crawling upon the surface of the earth wdio can for a moment say that Rii Stafford Cripps and his colleagues — may say the world’s greatest diplomat! representing the nation which has been Seating all other nations foi centuries in diplomacy— -came to India to settle the ITindu-Muslim questior for the good of India. After the Repoy Mutiny the British sway in Indie was consolidated and British Imperialism got the control over Indian business and Indian administration. Thereafter they were busy doinfl politics elsewhere in the Middle East and Europe. But now when we, Indians, are making serious efforts to achieve indeoendence, when we aw proceeding towa^s our goal, the time has come when England should dc some politics here aiso. Ho Sir Stafford Cripps and his cxilleaguos came to India for doing politics and they have succeeded in their miision. It is to our utter shame that they have again succeeded and I lay stress on it so as to have the courage to be conscious of our own limitations. Sir, these diplomats came to India to deal with politics. While here in India the Hindus and Muslims were quarrelling with each other, the great leaders of the Congress and the League alike were squarely beaten by Sir Stafford Cripps and his colleagues by tlieir superior political intellect. Let this be admitted first, realised first, and then there will be no difficulty whatsoever in finding out who was responsible for this great killing, where the remedy lies and then do our work. We should never forget that British possessions in India are coloured red. The red colour on the map of India faded by our struggle of the last forty years. Now they want to have a fresh coating of red by the blood of the Hindus and Muslims alike.' Tlie Calcutta carnage is a beginning, and unless we take a warning it will take place and the blood of Indians will put a fresh coating on the red colour of the map of India for another one hundred and fifty years or more. Ilis Excellency Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India — if he really meant peace and tran- quillity, unity and harmony among the people of India — unity between the Congress and the Muslim League, if he hud taken a firm stand that lie would not give power to any party unless and until the Congress and the League came to an agreement, an agreement would have been possible long ago. The (.’ongresH says that we are demanding communal favour and that the Hindu-Muslitn disunity is something artificial (‘rented by the third power. It is a pity — a thousand pity — that today it has forgotten the third power and the reason for what is happening betw(>eii the Hindus and the Muslims today. Instead of working for peace and amity, the Vi(‘eroy by his words and gestures attempted to create an impression in the minds of the Muslims and Hindus that one party will be bye-])as.sed by another and it is as a direct result of that that the Calcutta disturbances followed. This has created an idea in the minds of the Muslims that they have been delivered to the Hindus and an impression has been (reated in the minds of the Hindus that they have got what they wanted. * It lemiuds me of that mighty personality of Bengal, Sir Surendfa Nath Baiierjea, that great patriot who was in fact the jiioneer of freedom move- ment in India. He also in spite of bis talents, intelligence, experience and suffering, at the fug end of his life thought he got ivhat he wanted after lffl9. So I think also that oqr revered Congress leaders, whose sacrifices and suffer- ings will go down to history and for thoSe sufferings the whole of India shall ever remain |,fratefuVh> them, at the fag end of their life, after having strenuous struggles for over 25 or 30 years, have now felt, as Sir Surendra Nath Bauerjea had felt in Bengal, that they got what' they wanted in the Interim (iovernineut. That is why when the Bombay Besolution of the Muslim lieague was adopted, Snrdar Patel from that end of India declared that the direct action of the Muslim League was not against Ihe British but was aij^ainst the Congress and the Hindus. They aoclazed that British Imnenalism was no more, that Great Britain ^d abdicated and Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel and others were in possession of" India; they were at the head tf a sovereign state. This impression Pandit Nehru and others had created in the mw of everybody. Spw, Sir, I knoar that Hia Excellency the Viceroy has no'* control over the amtements .and utterances of big l^ders of India, out, Sir, when Pandit Nehru and ^rdar Patel made "^uiterances creating thm false impression in the minds of the peopka of India that BriUsh Im^rialiam had abdicated , which is far from truth# ^he Viceroy should not have sat jpilent over the whole kffairs. His conspicuous silence over the statements for w^ks led to the belief that really what Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel had said had the sanction of British Impeiialisiii behind it. We should alro not forget that some tiihe after the Bombay Resolution was adopted, His Excellency the Viceroy sumponed a meeting Of Governors of the provim^^. It was not, I ^lievei merely for the fun of it. That has also a pcditical background. 1946.> MOTIONS OF NO-CON FHifNpB. • IM /Here in^ Calcutta today ve Hud our oppoaition have com forward with a motion of ni^onfidence against Mr. Suhrawardy on th ground of incompetence and indifterence and they have asked hfin, appeal ed to him in the name ()f God to resign. I would ask them also in Un name of God and anything that is sublime, let them analyse their owi mind and ask themselves whether it is a fact or it is not a fact tha Mr. Suhrawardy was fouml at his height of genius during this carnage There is no douht that law and order collapsed. It m\\ he denyiiij reality if anything was said to the contrary hut the fact is, fnun what have seen of the great man, that he wa.s at the height of his genius* h w’as at the height of honesty, integrity, sense of justice and efficiency. A that time he was seen moving at the risk of his life in the streids o Calcutta day and night when he saw his (*(um*a(h‘s, friends falling one Iv one but he never lost that sense of justi<‘e whirh is becoming of u Cbie Minister of our country. Our friends of tin' Congress said that his af!ili« tion and attachment to the Muslim League party unbalance*! him, bu nothing can be a greater perversion of trutli. \Ve found during thos days Muslims in bamls and parlies ccuning to ns uml complaining tha Mr. Suhrawardy wa*< attending too much to the Hindus. \VV found hir working restlessly without f*K)d, without 'ih'ep these thn'e, four days locking himself up in Lull Hazar (‘oiilml Koom, pjissing orders. If an one (]nr**s to consult his j)rivate m>tt‘ book lie will finil how much he ha to go into the detail.s. It is true that on tin* Itdli and 17th the ordinar traffic police were found aliseiit ; it is tnn* that the Calcutta Police ooul not cope with tlic situation, hut wlio can deny this tact that Mr. Suhrawiird at the earliest opportunity calhsl upon the Army to take charge of tb city . (Here the menilier reaclu'd his tiinediinit but was given tw minutes mon‘. ) but the Army di<l not obey as liastily and as quickly a they ought to ha\e done, becaii.se under tin* Govern men t of India Act th Chief Minister hu.s no c<»nlrol over them. And it he says anything againiH tlie Commissioner of Police he i.s not making him a scapi'goai. Whaievc Mr. Suhrawardy may be. I caii assure the friimds ol the Opposition an through them the country, he is not a cowar<L He knows how to tak res ( 10 n s i hi 1 i t y h i m sel f . As my time i.s up J would u.sk in all seriousness, in the name of Go( in the name of anything that is mdde and sufilime, will th*' Muslims an Hindus alike fall .so ea.'^ily a victim to Hie llritlsh mac hination and not ae things as they should see them. Let us realise that time has come an we should rise up to the height of our genius. Public calamity is a might leveller. Will thi.s public calamity, the blood of our ifriends, relation and comrades help in levelling our difl'erences and make a unit«*d/effo] to drive out the tliird party, the British ImjierialiMm from India / Mr. LD.MLAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, f rise to support the no-c>onfidem motions which have been moved by Mr. Dhirendra Natli Datta an Mr. Bima) Comar Ghose. We are meeting today under the shadow of great catastrophe which has come over this gre^it city of (y'Alcutta, tli second- city of the British Empire. It does noi require many argumen to convince' the ordinary public tbat so far as (he Government of Bengi is concerned it has faiW to preserve law and order, not only in a lane c a bye-lane but in the broadest streets of Caleutta, not onty for an hor or two but for days together. It is a shame for any Government in tb world to come before the public and |tistify its conduct which involves tl massacre of 5,000 persons dead and 15,000 persons injured in the cour« of two or three clays, not in a remote village but in the city of Calcutf which is the metropolis of this great country, which enjo^'s the tftiyileg of having easily available the Governor of Bengal with liis 15 Ministeri the Commissioner of Police' and all his paraphernalia. Does it requii any argument to .convince tliat so far as the Govenunent of Bengal as m OF m^ONFIDENGE., [19th Smft., wkole is concerned it lias iftii^Wbly failed to protect tbe lives and liberties, tbe properties and belongings and honour of the inhabitants of this great city? I do not understand as to why there should be a confidence passed for the Hon’ble Mr. H, S. Suhrawardy as has been stated by the previous speaker. If that be the criterion for passing a vote of confidence, then I think we shall be passing confidence in that person who is responsible for the commission of worse crimes in Calcutta. The position is quite apparent to us. The issue before this House is not what Mr. Suhrawardy as the leader of the llengal Muslim League Party did. What we are concerned with in this House is as to what the Government of Bengal did in order to preserve law and order in this city. That is the issue before us. My friend who had just preceded me waxed eloquent upon the political differences between Hindus and Muhammadans, between the Indians and the Britishers. So far as that question is concerned, it is being solved and every effort is being made in order to solve this problem in a different spljere. That is not tbe question here. Tbe question is as to what the Government of Bengal did in order to protect our lives and properties on tbe HJtb and 17tli Aiigifst. We charge the Government of Bengal thnl it has signally failed to protect tbe same. The Government of Bengal w^dl knew what tbe situation was. When the meeting of the Muslim legislators was held in Bombay, Sir Feroz Khan Noon and others waxed eloquent on hloodslied. violence and what not. As a matter of fact, Sir Feroz Khan Noon stated, I am speaking from liis re])orted speech in the “Statesman’' — “If Britain puts us under (lie Hindu llaj, let us tell Britain that the desi ruction and havoc that the Muslims will do in this country will ])ut into shame what (Jhengiz Khan did.” We have seen, Sir, whut Chengiz Khan did being actually done in this city of Calcutta in Bengal which was the only province in wdiich the Muslim League liad its sw’ay. (’an there be u worse coiuh'mnation than this that what Chengiz Khan did several hundred' years hack was done in Calcutta under the very no.se of the pre.sent Government ot Bengal and the Government of Bengal was helpless in the matter. (Tiik Hon’klk Mk. Shamsuddin Aumki) : Why do you forget that the Britishers are still here ruling over us?) Mr. Abdul (juayum stated that 10 crores of Muslims will overthrow the Government at the first opportunity. He stated: “The Hindus had been governed by the Muslims for 80(1 years and the Hindu mind is deep ill its heart for revenge. I hope the Muslim nation will strike swiftly before such a Government can be set up in this country.” It was on tbe 2nd September when the Interim Government was going to be set up in this country and the so-called Muslim nation was encouraged to strike swiftly to show what capacity it possessed in order to create bloodshed and strife in this country. It is quite true that so far as the leaders are con- cerned they stated that it should be observed peacefully, bui it is a matter of common knowledge that thousands of leanets were distributed by the Muslims in order to create blomisbed. I have got one leaflet which showed Mr. Jinnah with a sword in hand. This was a Muslim leaflet. I have f ot a translation. 1 uni quoting a few lines from it. “The sWord of slam must he shining on the heavens and shall subdue all bad wishes.” It was printed by Guliiar Book Depot of Mil, Ratu l^kar Lane^ It says: “We Muslims have bad the Crown and have rukd« Do not lose heart. Be ready and take your swords. Think you MuMillu why we are under the Kafirs today? The mult of love of Kaflr is not good. Oh! Kafir, do not be proud and happy. Tbe doom is not far and the general massacre remains. We aliall show our glory with swords in hand and shall have a special victory.” I have got another leaflet which if called the Jamal l^et published from the same place “asking the Mitsltnit to jMne into the arena with their rwords and change of taeiios. We shall then see who shall play with us for river of bkm ihali flow. We ^all hfve the 1^,1 ;M0TI051S OF !ilO.CONPlDKNCjE. IW 8Wor<Jg in our hands and the noise of Takbh*. there wiH be Doom *6 This was the pamphlet which #as distributed just on the eve^f the Direct Action day on the KHh August. ' The Hofi’bl# Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Who published it? Mr. I. D. JALAN: Clukar Book Depot of d4/l, Ratu Sarkar Lane, Calcutta. Sir, it is not a question of this leaflet or that leaflet. What I say is that so far as the Government is eonrertietl it Aid nothing to stop such leaflets being distributed when the lension between the Hindus and Muslims was so strong and when every effort had to be made to prevent bloodshed and looting in this city of Calrutta. So far as the IGth and 17th August are concerned, so much has been written and so much has been said that it is needles for me to rept'at. The fact is quite appartlftt that if Mr. Suhraw^ardy had no hand in the preservation of law and order with what purpose was he in the Control Hoorn Was he giving direc- tions or w^as the Commissioner of Holne asking for directions P There must be some reason for his presence in the Control Hoorn. Father be was giving directions on his own initiative or he was giving directions on being asked by the Commissioner of Police. But tlie fact remains that Mr. Siihrawardy was in the (’ontrol Hoom. He slates that the Commis- sioner of Police is resp(»nsihle for preNcrvation of law and order and that he was not responsible. Then what was the piirposi* and meaning of his stay in the Control Hoom? We are absolutely in llie dark as to what hujinened to the police on the Ibth and ITih, but W(» did not receive the slightest aid from the police or from the Government of Bengal, in any shape wdiatsoever, and we had to preserve our lives and properties by our own unaided effort, by our ow'n help and by tin* aid and relief of our lielief Societies. Even those who %vere evacuated had to pay heavy bribes to the police to carry a party from a disturbed area to a safe area. Everybody was feeling helpless, everybody thought that the Government of Bengal w’as at an end. A friend of mine t(d(l me that he phoned up the Governor and tlie (VimmisHioner of Ihdice and elsew’here but witlioui success. When he phoned up the ( ommissioner of Police, somebody in the Police Depart- ment said: *** • • ♦ ♦ »» was what was stated to mo. The question is that there are thousands of jierson.H who can testify that as a matter of fact no help was forthemning from the police. If no help , was forthcoming and if so many j)ersons have tlu)ught that no htdp wai received from the p(dice, certainly after the great carnage people cannot have confidence in tlie Government. Timt is the burden of our song. 8o far as this Government is concerned, it has failed to pr<*sei v(* law' and order in this city and because it has failed therefore it has forfeited our confidence and the confidence of Gie people. Sir, these are mere incidents to prove this fact and nothing else, Mr. tREAKERs Mr. Jalan ha.s ({uoted some abusive language. 1 think it should not go in the proceedings. Mn I. 0. JALANs Sir, that was what was stated to me by others. Mr. BHUPATI MAJIIMDARS Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is with a heavy heart that I stand hare to caudema this Ministry. I have passed all my life dr^ming and fi^1|pig for the day when my owm countrymeg would their own votes elect their own rulers. I know this Ministry is not the realisation of my dream, yet I cannot forget that these Mininters are elected representatives of my own .people . It is only the gravity of the situation that has compelled me to rise in condemnation of this Ministr 3 % Sir, I have hem in <aty during those terrible days; and as a humble worker of the Cougroas I liot and did not sit safe behind closed doors. 1 had to fulfil mjf "bhligatioha as a oitisen and as a Congressman. 1 have m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE, , [19th Sept., $een horrible scenes wit^* my own eyes. I bad to face angry mobs repeatedly; I had tn roam*over and walk through some of the worst affect- ed areas. Jt seemed to me, during those days, civilisation, nay even human sense, bade good-bye to this city. Sir, I have seen horrible crimes perpetrated in broad daylight before the very eyes of the guardians of Jaw and order. In vain I have tried to draw the attention of tlie standing-by police who have invariably replied that they did not see anything or they could not do anything. We are yet to know what mysterious order stayed the hands of the Police and made them passive spectators of all sorts of crimes perpetrated throughout tlie city. It hp been told, rather it has been admitted, that the Cnief Minister was during the most part of these days liimself staying in the Control Boom of liul llazar and yet frantic telephone calls to Lai Bazar for Police help were only responded to with dhamkis : “Don’t vex Ufl. We kiiow everything; nothing new.” Even within a hundred yards from Lai Bazar where the Chief Minister was sitting and w'here a large number of armed force was present, hooligans looted shops, set fire to the whole of Terrify Bazar and butchered men, w^omen and children. The whole Governmental machinery, it seems, as if Ijy pre-arrangement ignorainously abdicated to the mob rule. Sir, 1 am a Congressman. I have spent my wlude life for the salvation of my people and for the liberty of ray (umntry. My conception of my country and people knows no limitation of caste and creed. 1 am m>t here to blame Hindus or Muslims. As such I say with sorrow and shame that my people l)ehaved in a manner unworthy of our traditions and unworthy of humanity. Sir, for this degrading of my people 1 hold this Ministry rtvsponsible. It has enraged and excited one community to the Na<lir of a eommunal frenzy and it lias cornered another community to desperate helplessness. Sir. this Ministry deserves the strongest condemnation as keeping themselves in rosy safe seats, they have roused and let loose the elemental passions of the inolis. Sir, I condemn this Ministry because it failed t(» give protection to the innocent and help- less citizens, because it could not check the frenzied mobs, because it could not foresee that such eventualities might occur. But that is not all. I further condemn this Ministry because it could not keep even the balance of Government autliorities. It has been swayed by sectional feelings. It was a eommou talk of the city that by acts of commission and omission it has eucoviraged the holigans and anti-social elements of one community. It has tampered with the ordinary Police administration not in order to check riots and preserve law and order, but in order to provide greater facilities to tlie hooligans and goondus. The incidents that happened in the streets of Calcutta during these days would have been sufficient to condemn ^ any Ministry, leaving aside what happened behind the scene — what hapi>ened in the Control Boom of Lai Bazar, m the Secretariat and in various other police-stations of the city. That furnishes double condemnation for the Ministry. Not only have they failed to keep law and order but they have deliberately prevented the normal administrative machinery from doing that. Even now goondas and other criminals are occupying shops and bouses from where lawful owners have either been eliminated or forcibly ejected. Sir, yet that is not all. We have yet to see at the root of the tiling. Members of this Ministry are respimsible members of a party which has taken the course of Direct Action at its best which then means the upsetting of law and order and in its worst means the stirring up of a civil war. Skr, I leave it to you and to this House if it is anywhere in this world possible for the Ministers toi^plav Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in matters which mvolve the life and safety-oi 6{) millions of people. This is a curious sight that those who are in charge of maintaining law and order should at the same time play a role of la^-breakers and instigators of a civil war. Common decency and a little sense of responsibility should have impelled them to shake off this double rdle. But l am 8om% Sir, that these Ministers have neither a common decency nor any sense of responsibility developed in their 1946.1 MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDKNCE. 101 feeling either to resign from the Wgue or from the They did neither. Instead of that they hare been instigating a civil war^ — a war of mutual extermination. They did not miuse to think about the coiisequenoe of such a war— if it is, as this is likely t<i spmid from Bengal to other provinces. This is a dangennis game t<»r a set of crajsy Miui.sters to indulge in. Sir, 1 know that they have roused coiumimal })a.Hsion to such a pitch that they felt safe hehiml a stututtuy majorii\ . I know that my Muslim brethren would turn a deaf ear to iu\ earnest appeal, vet I must make my appeal to them and ask them to eonsider wliere this Ministry is leading our people to. This communal Ministr\ ean lead to in) gmul, neither to the Muslims nor to tlie Hindus. Three years ago a similar communal Ministry was functioning, millions of <nir eountixmen died of famine. I was (lieu in prison and was thus spared the painful sights ot corpsea in the streets. But I have se(*n the recent achievements of this communal Ministry. Hindus and Muslims died in that famine and they have both died in this cufnage. So ] appeal to my Muslim brethren present here to ponder over the matter and decide from the point of view of doing good to Muslims alone whetlier this Ministry deservch their support an\ longer. Sir. I aiipeal to the other corner of this House also, I mean the kuropean group. May 1 expect that they will not allow any material gum or petty commercial considm'ations to stupefy their human sensed They have seen the gruesome jiictures of the (’alcuttu streets during the (treat t'alcuttu Killing. Would they then lend their support to tin* Ministiy who failed so grossly to keep law and order even on the streets of the great metropolis y May 1 expect that at least -now the\ would allow hiinmn sense to prevail over other considerations P Sir, lastly, through you 1 should like to .send my appeal again to my country- men sitting in this small room. 1 apiieul to iheiii to assert their demo- cratic right to condemn this Ministry which is responsihh* for the death of so many Hindus and Muslims, whudi has lailcd to jirotect the life and propeitv of thousands of peoph*. whi(‘h has hcen pluming with lire when charged with th(‘ duty ot ijuelling tire and which has fomented bitter communal aniniosity all over the counti.N. This .Ministry which hus no progianime of social welfare for the amelioration of the condition of even the Muslim iiias.se‘». which has not done a little bit tor tin* good of the (oil- ing millions and which as a hi.nt report had stirreil up bitter coniniuiial passion ol the worst tyiie for remaining in office desfuves condemnation from all part.s ot the J^rovince. d'liis Ministry 1ms tailed as administrator. It baa failed as a political pait\. It has failed as a set <d bon(»uiabb* men. The street scenes ol those days are still liaunting me and I cannot tor a moment forget tliosf* gruesome scenes and hence 1 cannot forget thi* Ministry wdiich i.s alone responsible tor th»*m. I owe it to my [xMjjile and I owe it to mv conscience when I .say (hat I shall strive to remove this Ministry, whicli ha.s failed so atrociously in protecting the destiny of (ill millions (d people. Sir, for the god of the people ot Bengal, both Hindus and Muslims, 1 support this ii*solution of No-confidence. The HOfiTile Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is with sorrow and liuiuiliatiou that I take my stand to opptne tlie No- confidence motion that has been moved against the Mini.stry as a whole and against Mr. Suhrawardy, the (’hieT Minister of thi.s Brovince. Sir, it seems my friends on tlie opposite side seem to think as if Mr. Suhrawardy and (he gang here this side arc the persons who are at the root ot this uirnuge. I know very well that it is very easy to speak <»n (he ftoor ot this House. Sir, l>efore I go into details of tho re<*eiif hajipeniugs may 1 take my friends back to the historical background of the wdiob* tragedy that has been witnessed here in Calcutta? Sir, who does not know how the Mussalmans of this IVovince were crushed, how Mussulmans all over India were crushed from 1757 to 1857. Then again, who does not know the Confiscation Proceedinj^ that followed the occupation of •^ngal. ConEscation of Muslim properties, confiscation m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [19th Sept,, of mosques, conAscation of iaigirs, confiscation of large aemindaries belong- ing to Muslims were the order of the day and these valuable properties were kmded over to the Hindus. Why? Because the Mussalmans ruled this country then and it was necessary for the British rulers to cuish the Mussalmans, That followed till 1857 when the first war of Indian in- dei>endence was waged. Well, Sir, we know, and I think every reader of history knows, that the Muslims with the help of some Hindus — I mean, the kUhrattas — tried to regain the independence of this country but they failed because the Sikhs helped the British, and there the curtain was drawn. Sir, this followed in the international sphere also. I would refer my honourable friends to the situation in the Middle East. In 1144-18 when the first (treat War came, (Jolonel Lawrence was sent to Arabia, stirred, up tiie Arabians to revolt against the Turkish rulers, and everybmly knows that Turkey was divided, dismembered and defeated. Money was silent to win over a traitor just as here also it was done to win over traitors like Jagat Seth, Mirzafar, TTmichand and others. That traitor was promised kingship of Arabia — the holy land of Arabia— but after the war was over, the Britishers did not keep that promise and pledge given to him. Sir, today we hear that liijlia cannot be partitioned into Pakisthai^ and Hiudusthan. Everybody knows that the carnage over which we are debat- ing here was the result of the fact that the Muslims iu this (oanfry want that they should have Pakistan in this country while our Hindu friends oppose tooth and nail that demand of Pakisthan which they say we could never have. Well, Sir, you all know' that the betrayal of the Cabinet Mission recently led to the outburst of the feelings of distrust that was already in existence between the two communities in this r, untry. Mr. Sj)euker, Sir, I was saying that the way in which Muslims have been treated and the W'uy in which their rights have been trampled upon — that has given a cause of exultation to my friends ojiposite. Sir, before I speak on the main question, I would refer my friends fo fhe accusations that have bf?en hurlecT against this Ministry. Mv friends have fuid that the Ministry, and particularly Mr. Suhrawardy, w'as the root cause of this calamity. Sir, on the KUh August what did the Muslim League aek tlie people to do? The Kith of August was not a Direct Action Day \4ien the Muslims wore asked to rise in revolt and cut dowrn ever\^ Hindu in the confiugration. The Kith of August was fixed for explaining the iitJ plica- tions of the resolution that was passed at the Bombay session of the All- India Muslim League Council, and you know'. Sir. how Quaid-e-Azam Muhainmtid Ali Jinnah appealed to the people to observe that day in peace. As far ns the accusations are concerned, may I refer mv friends to ilie writings in the “Basumati” and in other papers, the sentiments expressed and the speeches delivered in the past in various parks of the city. I wcnld refer, Sir, to certain writings in the “Basiimati”. This carnage ij;uk place fnnn the 16th of August. But on the 4th of August the "Basuin iti’* writes : — fjji^ 'Q ^ r Then on the 10th of August the “Basumati” wTites: — wvvtjtv f^i ▼ffc^ WT5?hr »:<f C5W it fyt r cwi vtv<rf#rf ^ merr wfinn v f vvn c^ i ifro Wi wti Btircf ’f9rf! iff ^ *ni. w til :>*t [1946.] MOTIONS OF N(M)ONFIDfiNCE. ^ ^ ^ \ ^ Tm TJrttn ftfci PKitflrs ?tl?l I ^ wf% WZ T5T J ifH tfOJtl ^«(TlClt ifip .fwnt fs»?^ ▼fro C5^ ¥^1 nv^Tt’rfil >r5TOni >prr»nr Ttfj i ?wi i ) Then on the 11th of August the “Basumuti'* writes: — wfm rs^ m C^i ^:i sn ort m i ^ m i ’ifiw vfjtp^ m wT^n ??¥Ti cn, jMh ¥fn) ormw m cw?, *!i, TO ^ 1 *j¥ ♦fffw onr, TO^rst^w ntm cmi W^IT tpWT TO, (TOfl ▼m!*! TOmr C^ ’PR Jlft. ’Jtfw, <II’R f¥ ^ ^ITO TOP? WJ? ’f?l TO--f%l fsrr?«U TO ’n, iiw; wttrs^ m ▼f«TOF5?— fTif^rs o^TOm r sniff ft%i w tow <IK fT^vi TOW? fntfl ’nsTtTCT nitf 1 ff^rs ntxR i” Then writes the ‘‘Busumuli” on the 14th August, two days Wfore the ocH'urrence took j)lare : — “f fcf 1^? n:*»w' a fiiwi— '* I am sorry, Sir, I have not been able to translate these |)assages tor the benefit of iny frieruK over there, but 1 shall translate them, it time permits, when 1 have finished. Sir, there was a meeting held at Deshpriya Park on the 14th of August. I will not read out the leaflets that were distribule<l in that meeting. In that meeting Mr. Kiran Sankar Hoy and Mr. Niharendu Duti-Maxumdar uttered eertiun words whieh were heard hy some ol my friends jiri'sent in the meeting. Tlieii the meeting was addresseil h\ Mr. Sunuidru Mtdian (ihosh, President ot the Bengal l*rovineiul (’ongress (’onunitlee, Mr. Nalini Kaiijan Sarkar and (»tlier.s urging the lliudus to see that the ohsiuvanee of the Kith August might not succeed. Then, on the other r>ide, I may mention tt> you, Sir, what :ij»p(‘ul was issued by <4uaid-e-Axam .liiinuh, that was publisbed very kinilly in the “Amrita Bazar Patnka’', dated the Kith. Mr. Jinnah said: "The Kith of August is not for the purpose of resorting to direct action of any kim^ :ind therefore I enjoin upon the Muslims to eonduct tliemselves p(‘aeefully in a disciplined manner and not to play into the hands of our euemieH”. Sir, I would refer in this connection to the <ine .statement issued to the Press and another'inade at the Press (’onlenone at Homhay hy the now Hon’ble Ihindit Jawaliurlal Nehru. He said that if the League <li(i not jeun with the Congress there might be .some minor trouble. His stationent to the Press (\»nfereii{'e was very signitieant, naiiiel; , lliat if the t'ongress formed an interim Government under the leadership of Pandit Nehni and if the l.reague started some kind of direct action, obviously the Government would face that kind of direi t action either by coming to a compromi#o or by opfHising it: if the tTOvernment is strong, the direct aciioii goes under; but if the Government is weak, the Government goes under. ' Mr. 40CE8H CHANDRA GUPTA: Wbut is the point there? Th# HonTiie Mr. 8HAM8UDD1N AHMED: The ooint is-ihiH is a sentiment that you are feeling that the Hindu Raj has been established . May I, Sir, in this connection say that 1 wu.s an Iminhle servant of the Congre»» for over a (juarter of a century. Mr. Bhupati Mazumdai' iias said that he has played his part. May I remind my friend that he and I were college friends and he and I were in the Congress, and if he has played his part I also have played my part. Sir, we find that the mentality that has been exhibited today is the culmination of a menialitv that was at the foot of there being no settlement between the Hindus and Muslims during this period when Mahatma Gandhi 110 MOTIONS OF I^-CONFIDENCE. [IBth Sept.; tried bk be»t to solve the communal problem. In 1028 the Nehru Report was drafted for giving constitution to India. The sum and s'lbstanse of the Nehru Report was that there would be unitary Government at the Centre with powers for the provinces and we Muslims in the Congress opposed it* and opposed it tcM)th and nail. That was one of the leasons why the Nehru Report was scrapped and in the 1^29 session of the Indian National Congress held at Lahore, that was thrown into the river Ravi and the resolu- tion of complete independence was adopted. I need not remind my friends of the Congress in this House that they have made their Macritices in blood and money. Well, I’.e Muslims have done the very same thing. Before 1920 there was no direct action ibtgun either by the Congress or any other organisation in this country. Before that time — from J7o7 — the Muslims paid in money, in lite and in property and my friends the Hindus cannot deny that they were profited by the entry of Great Britain into this cjountry. When the light of nationalism arose in my friends of the Congress, 1 admit that was the time wnen they took up active resistance to foreign rule in this country. In Ht20 non-co-opera- tion was adopted us the creed of the Congress and I must cdmit that with the advent of Mahatma Gandhi into the scene, really the (h)ngress l.eeaine a force and it was the Khilafat that gave that force to the Congress. 1 rnav remind this House that W'hen the non-c'o-operution resolulioii was adopted, the Khilafat movement also adopted and aeee]>led that ni) 0 -( ( •oj>eration programme in August 1920 and the Orngress at its special Hssion held at the Wellington S(iuare in September 1920. aeccpied that m>n-e»).r]u ration progrjimme. Mr. HARIPADA CHATTERJEE: We have heard enough of his heroics. What did they do to kwp law and order!" The Hon'hit Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: So long as the Speaker does not ask me to sit dowrr, 1 urn not going to sit <lown. Why my fnend getting impatienty 1 was in the C<ougress and 1 worked in the hope that India would attain independence, 1 worked in the hope and with the vision and dream that uirited India will I'orne in, hut when 1 apprehended that my friends in that ^uise wanted to eslahlish another rttj, then alt>ne 1 left the Congress and joined the Muslim League. I frankly confess it and J admit that tor 2') long years 1 worked with my friends of the opposite side. It i as been amply proved l»y the recent utterances of Ihindit jawaliatlul Nehru. ICveu after assuming the othce of the Viee-Vresident of the yieeroy’s Executive Council, what iVul he say at the time »>li the \m»ad<Mst? At the time of the hroudeasl, In* referred to untouehahility, but he did not sj>euk a word about Hindu-Muslirn unity. Then my friends have said, what was the (3hief Minister doing? Mr. Suhruwardy will explain what he was doing and as Home M’oister he will explain what Ire was doing. But as an humble Minister 1 may say that ou the 17th we tried to contact (he (Congress leade^^ aril we wanted (<■ meet them so that the carnage might he stopped. I personally went to the Ijcader nf the Congress Barliarnentary Party at Taltolla. He would not ccme out of the House, hut I hrouglit him out of his house. T addi>es8ed a gathering at Taltolla and rn> friemi Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy also addressed the |fotber- ing. Thereafter we asseinhled at the Chief Minister's noin here m the Assembly and there we tried how* to bring nlunrt peace in rlie crtv. The day following, we also met. The Chiff Minister, and the Home Minister will say what he tried to^io. My friend Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy also knows what we did. (Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy: Not all you did.) Neither I know what you all did. I say that we tried to do what was best under the circumstances. Sir, what is my time.® Mr* 8PEAKERS Ton have been allowed 20 minutes. You Lave spoken foi* IB minutes and you can sp^k for two minutes more. gf«6.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENOE. Ill Th* lloiiW* Mr. SHAMSUOOIN AHMED: I am sorry tlio time is ery short. I can only make a passing reference to the mentality ihat has een exhibited by the burning of bustees and killing of persons. 1 do not now whether these jieopie knew about Pakisthau or Hindusthan. My I lends have laid everything at the door of the Muslim League and the fuslim Ministry. I could not imagine or visualise how lowly bnstees aside Hindu-dominated localities could have been wijied out and burnt to shes. 1 have it from some of my Hindu friends that the Nikaripara ^stees and the Baghbasar Imstees wei*e surrounded and set on fire and rhenever people wanted to come out were beaten to death by iron rods and be dead bodies were thrown into the fire. Before I sit down may I say— -I do not hold it out as a threats — that if re Muslims and Hindus cannot live together, this game will be played as re have been made the cat’s paw. If we cannot shape our destiny ourselves, re do not know’ what is going to happen. The Muslims want that they hould have Pakistban and our Hindu friends say that the Muslims should lot have Pakislhun. If there is no settlement. 1 do not know wliat is going 0 happen. The Congress has been installed in power at Delhi. I do not now what talks w’ill take place hetw’een Ihuidit Jaw’abarlal and Mr. Jinnah. lut, after all, 1 apprehend that if this is not settled, I do not know what 9 going to happen. The Congress has combined with (Ireat Britain and t has become an Anglo-Fascist organisation. It has caught hold of the eigns of office. The “Aiprita Bazar Patrika” published in blazing head- ines “Congress assumps power”. After assumption of pow’er, I know my lindu friends were in ecstasy. On the lOth August the Muslims were going to at (end a peaceful iieeting at the maidan. What would have happened if the Muslims had urned out in tliousands at the maidan to express their resentment at the letrayal by the (/ubinet Mission!' What was (here in r»pposing and in ivimr ac(ive reHi‘<(ance (o the processionists who were going!' Whut was here that at Bhaw’anipore and at the Harrison Hoad junction the pro- essionists w’ere beaten and brickbats were thrown at iluun from house-t 4 )ps? )oes not that show that preparatory arrangements were mndeP This was iroof ]iositive of the fact that my friends of the Hindu ('ongress wanted hut the Kith August should not be made u sueeess. If (he Kith August lud Wen a sueeess, possibly (be Muslims w’ould not liave got Pakistban. hikisthan wa^h] not have fallen on Calcutta if the observance of tlie Kith Uigust had been a great success. T am sure the communal bogey, the inholy structure, will soon come to ]neees and its remains w’ill be kept in be Museum where it will remain in silent majesty. T hope even now tense will dawn on my friends here and they will come f<» a compromise on X joint basis. I ladieve my friends here will think over this matter H<*riously A voicr From Congress uEyriiKs : Did you say joint electorate?): Sir, lere in Calcutta the Muslims are in a minority. But what would have happened, may I ask my friends to imagine, in Chittagong, in Eastern Bengal and other places if the Muslims there wye furious. W'ell, as a natter of fact you have bv your action brought about Pakistban. Hindus ire evacuatinjET ^**0™ Muslim localities and Muslims arc evacuating from Hindu localities. By your action, by your active resistance on that day, liy your killiiy innocent men, women and children you have added actively and cxmstructively to the advancement of the Pakistban programme. Ijong live Qnaid-e-Azam — ^Tiong live Pakistban. You do not want to give Pakistban to the Muslims, but, in fact, in Calcutta you have proved that the only solution that lies ahead is in the observance of Pakistban. With these words. Sir, I oppose the motions. Mr, MREHMA ONAIfORA BHATTAWARdEE : Mr. Speaker, Sir,^#fm nflm fl*ni swpfi tfftf. resfew fSrnr wm ^ spjcitf wM ^ on w J T Wy t Hf !ff% wrr wm, vfkm ^ am fR m R m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [ 19 m Skpt., vs fpr#5f c^, fsfsr f3TH?s«c*t »r1i¥ frj-ypnitrw tffs vfs-rv w^rffsi, vvt3i <4?; ’fv^ttfscvr c*flCT i Jut t?!f cn cfTH 'iivf ^♦mc^r 5Trfv =ilt^ vtto <<wi i fi: oj?; snrf? -'tfinwfira arfrrv^ft? vc^^rrsi to w^ tf sgpi tfcTOT fm 3n I wm i^mn ^rtrii^ ^ vtttpm vmf i tfSTf TOfcs TOffro ^ »rr^[ TOstir y fi r ^ t su r Ttfl ViTf C5Tf%C^ C«f5?If^ ?1 TS|¥ C^ %r, ST?1 tpFM c^ *t%?r c’tnr i rni%T, sT?t?n iltc^ra toto wvxoR I c*nwrpR m' tprfiP! f?: ^sfir^r^ Sf^ swrsv s*nrf? VTO5I1 ftvfst ?cff I ^ str^ 5r3i TO ▼^ri % i ctpi^mr tpR-wffrf i tofc^ '*?fsnTC’r vsf^rvs i ^ c'tro ^ tj-fs wtro TOTI '^TfTci ^tjfc’f gtVs ?ftjwin, i im*?rrm TOBTW ’T^^frmg fvfi ^ i ^ -smH y^tw 3Tc^«f vfc^— m ii u m tfsrv fro^ ^-?r5)f? '^I4cii< *fTf^ f^#\5Tx^ VfVfTT TO tprm I (TT ^«F% I fsps ^•J tig' ^'sn? cq TOTO51 5f»nrti:^--g^*^, wfyjTfT?, to plroirf, ^mr tV »it<f7T3T\ nvs^ m ? mm fjprtfs wi m «mi i c^ iit j-rf^ c?tc-ipr mm i *t!r wfWt^i TTt^rt g^TOR frowR i .iit totr ^ 5^^ ircv *PR 5 n ▼c^, srrr^f irR‘irt f^ a; mtjm ^«fiTfr JfOTf, fF*g w^T'S ’TfwR \air c^ I ’yrg^Tfr^F sTor— TOnR imt torr toI^ CTf¥, sRr:«r« ¥c^R ntan cnc^ i cro |ir crv? ^ "in i g^r»rr -rkvi^ ?c<n<3 cro m-ynf?nF cftn fci, TO--r% wti^s to ^ (Tn?! TOrj src^. nffr^ i TO» va^fTOR g«rR TOcm \v^ av >rgfs gfis ^sar ^ arfirro ^7 snrrrt firc’m fir^jcra arfraRi arti t?rr SrarTfr g? arcs TOtl^ ^Tf^ fk\ v$T grts amf, wf^'4 to jt?— to cto ^rrfircjr^ tl^Pfj wtv fw<n tfarf^s vm,^ 1 »ifirs ^tor D. I. B. mnsrf\ w%3 1 mr^ tffv ■rrfvf^TO'R CTO TOTTt TiPi I x^fro^tcra ’fftrs itfrorocw? c^mmc^R to iti- Wmtl TOR SR tfTTO ^ ^ TO5d5RCT, ^%R TOs ^9rc«rf TORR-^rfrlt TOm !fcii c5g[S f?rsR jftav ^tciw- TO *n WR Srro torr i tfror ffroro ctotTOR ^ v^ctpr Whrf tod « srr TOf% RRRRI CTOHR I TO?g^ CTOR TOR-^J^ n^TOV yfl fa TOIR I mm tfTO cTOCTf FfTO I »aTOR TO TO TO 'S TOS^tCS VORTO tffstts TOCf » TOCll ^tcl ffls W^TOIt fro TOTf ; «ffTOTOtft VTO ^ttS !fN ffCTO ; TOR STO«i WRl TOfTO TOtfl TO TO! ’^TffTOl, TO>nwR, 5V TOR, RTOt.RRTO !r^ g;TOR-VJ[TfTO TOTvfifTO TOPTOTO figpr TOTTO g«^, ^toR ; at*t!VJ. tT?^ ^ V CTOfSw ^aC*!f TO ftiRv ftro ff^TTOR, iRfRR !f^ fnrvi ftgpw vi tvfMi TO <€1 TO TO TO ICT V» I im.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. IIS fnnrf, ftr« wrcf vw \ fifTifff f^Rrmn wrr *jfiM citWR ▼in ntc^R ^rfat t f^rtt i i ^ ff jnf— 3ff? !f ▼n^itsfi ▼cn'Q r^rmlt m) frji nfvnrfift ouw; ^n Scwtir frjc^ «<}f« TO c^ nroi TOn TOnr i? iim itmi tf^fTOirr 5»nr ^ ▼c^ ▼fct 1 ' FTTi if^n jfm c^f'TOi ?TO5t“ ^f%TO ¥11 OT ^^ ) ^fin |»iinn ^ »r¥iTc^ ittfr^s viof. ▼nin'135 »i;n ▼ini, w (▼ va¥f Wn iT3T¥c^ 9'^ ▼n 5“^ ▼TOjj Jnrfi? i fs^^ niftn fir¥ !?fltc¥ ^tf rym ’l^•ln5 4C»rt$i ijR’n ‘^rr^r^ wf^wi ▼^nni c^nri ^ im wffifjn itrtn c^ m K^ffT'n, ▼fswsn tfir^T & r6¥ nfrs nr^iran *n c^ !r<i^« iiTc^ tri f^i:nc¥? i wnrT4 fr¥ Sm toctoi firc^^ ▼n « *tW 1 !>ttJt1%c¥ *toti ▼in ▼*nRif m ¥^1 srnrc® >yyA feT5 t^T^i i Jif«fc¥ wmtto ¥^Tf jn^nTcui jrnpn Hr^rw;? ^ vfritin rcvc^ ot.ooox M'n TOn l»T¥i ijit ▼nmcron \»Fnn:^ ^firoi ^crti nvc9 ^ofxxjs *fi rtwn t?T¥i. fVi rT^»r ijiffm *npM ▼^^'l ar^nTRi ‘tni Tm.^ !▼? c¥<^ Fr¥i ’nrc^t ’rt*} ▼TJ fsfi’nn rstrvs ▼tn 'i^'-ttfri, 4? ¥%r-j, wccrt ^rr^nrcti ^ nn %TTOnR y^n^a ▼rr^ i cw^o jiti rTn^nrcif i»mnt¥ <rh imm )Jnn |f^ ^H^^ <fT5i' ▼fo^jrrcM r5?¥^ 1^1 TOti wtf?*? "t-Tt ▼ir^ »i¥n ymro r4i)nr¥« Rbnins 'mf^r t snnr*ir>rc¥ «nfwc?t ^fi» fvcmMrt ’ffft- ^rfsrr^i ¥wni tPirm w (7T^ mrr< *ri, c^ nfrjii¥3ji:¥<i jui? ▼^fVs ▼c^5 1 ¥fr^ R'tc-pi imm 5T>i ▼’I'*? ¥11 rrvfs#!, fsf^^’nr Fnm TOTOTcsT *rtr¥TT^ «nJTT tfv ▼fc’5 ncwn (?m ▼rwf^ i r^rf^ c¥C3 «nftrT^^^r ¥f<fjr5 ii^ c*j‘t“n ¥>n« TTfwr«nr trrpi ^ rcu "TOn” jm¥ >a¥«n^} 'tfirro tfTrrfV^ f^’fri JirTn 'ifrcw ifl^: mntfc^ Scwn- tfm ^ Ji-v 9^1 ▼jpirim^n ^^n^nrun f^>Tijr<»T ▼« c»f!:ff iTf% ▼a fnw I ij? jmmi *rii ftfmft r!r¥.|¥5Tir»i'*fr^n ^nn »rf^i lyfyifj Ii^^h to c¥H ▼rofTB Trfvi Sf^/irs tfTO^n %r5r5 ¥1 Tc^r fri ^f%r5 ▼^ ▼▼J? 1 ’nrTO ^ 3r«^ftr¥ ▼’Htfinj ▼C? 'll tf¥'5 ^ ’n^R WW{ I Hr, BMOY KKIIHIVA SARKAR : Afr. Speaker, Sir, tT^ f*Nc*T ▼f%¥nn 5r¥f S*n cm mifn ramo ^ Ym w^r irft c¥ r »mn‘f nro mn •fw’trJtfipi ¥1 1 (ViOTiTOQ 41^ cw^f ▼w«f»r cro ▼f^tvsntTOF ▼f^¥¥T4^flf^^nr»rf¥t¥CT5?i ¥15:^ OTi ’fr^fir¥ TOn Hf«‘f5 w I fl^.^¥.Cim“t-1^»%TO JTfTO r^tToTO IHSm ▼?! I 4JR f¥ n CTOWt^ ^ ?tifff»r, ▼^ wff^nit frpwii tro •jtnr *frsfi to^hi TOi vf ▼fW5!t ^nni f^, ^ 9 , Fnn. ’inn*!^!# tpife tTw« fwnro ▼ct i TOn ¥^ 4<prs cm^ W9 I '>f¥i'n*S ot? tf fwc ii c¥m cif^ wm cwr >itifn Iwi TOft^c^p tf¥n ¥i?f¥ of¥i ^ CTi , vfwm ^ cwt c¥*i ipim ▼nfi 114 MOTIONS OF NO^ONFIDENCE. [19th Sept., wn tn >fimr mrm am m w^re mrr w iff? oFnt WTS fPCiP ?77T7 ffTfffiT TCT? ff/?f J1? Cffff7 J?F *rtTT C^Jff TOTi ft?*! iff I ?fi4 oTj f¥ ? 'W cff >rra ^f%i ^Siin*! %!, WfffftffcT «tif¥re cwi ffW, WWl Dsm ^?MW Cflif fro CffffI ffW I ?7J 7fp3 ftr TCff ^PTmT 5?:^ (f rtfli! ^'-1 ^f*wrf iif<n tpffiff ftro «fff¥re frmfesR i IVs ftrt-f in <ff%sf ^ftn ▼<ri!? n ?r5T?in '(tftm ’itw :n i tei fffsm? '!fff5r to i vfV oTOt' rt«i ■flrv, TO iTTO ftftiSrn snn Tn iff? crnr 4?*<i insrmg i«<i-5if*TD ^>TO >itf<pj ji'Jiik® I c^‘si>i <s :i4ti!S5T *ff^5r »irf*nn ten >rra TOm vfinrtOTi >6? ’ffiti Public holiday declare ifftiff? orj fV f^r atfk^ ^ CTR •! ^ S'^’Riftr in r ^?R3*i f^si? <it^‘n r, 'aifrnTft w 5n <!%*! lilt «fltflr3 iRfit cT^m csirr=n "loR rth i otpi st?i ^JRscsr esjm ;n;iiR ^ffiR 5 ?^^ ■891 TO>ft^l Vin litflffni ik HI r WTTO? ffciiT 'arn’r 39113 % 1 ^iR«an fiwt rtra 'Bppr in 'iitr*! irTsTimi tfw ^fTO: jm ’itt® in 1 c? w jjpiTO ^t iit=(^ 8Trt7 f*i« ?titift*! rfR9t*R T-m ijmffi fir 4t TO‘n TO m? c? iiftr» isww? ftTOs «imi ifftr 89Mi TRftcicH a siTtro? TO?RTftiitfe*!i 4tT*8 3 W*i c^iji srtTj jfjw^ ▼ftmr TOfftiffiirnii tri‘t a fiirofti tto <rtfir» ffs-f'iRr*?*-!*™ cn ■*!% ’tm irfe® Wffffi ?pm Tftimsii I 4 'j iffirtW TOTWea^ to ▼Tsitoh ffikasr S'-ifTs «itfTO 3 ism ftRRCMacstl TOit inti ■nn 4 t ft-;tTOHtI TO Of Mifflin C5tl 'liftins V:5TOf Tff fflti ‘'I)awn’'«lf 3 iTni?fTOc>l tfilR.ffit ft: ^nnft fe ft*! nm TOTOR ^f%1control.roorn4 fffPRI r^ft fti iS'm TOR crom TO fttfR C3t'.| Tftwftc^fiT, illWw ftvri'reit C5ti ^ftmfTOiir aam kr Fjrmca ftia fta. ^j-ni iirot ^ii;Jtri to ftr xri 3 ^ astftTO cfftTO rn mtr *i,lt!iTOTO to to feft vm mfr’s ftmftr-nn, - 5^.1 tor toto ftr sstnt Ssiftfins ?ii ifftf 4ifi ftt TO cii ^;to tr«R-irft etti aftins *jTOrf7 ftroit am iittt ft: 9* m:TO tf^iR-inlt iR,--feft *?k'-n 4=^7 tfTO crsi 1 firt? snftim croa 391- ftacT 941 itro TOf f-f 4 at 96*1 fsa t TO 49l1t 991 941 tfRTO I vilTORTT >n^R 994 JRa'n 9ftc*R TO fiRsiit Pift riTORjR fTOS anw tojpi attmrTOR ci, ^a-fhftiiR Sa4 c9m9TrTER ftr9 TOfro (Rti TO aoM-i TOtfta7:9a to c>r TO i 499 r9 TObr tor tiro-cTOi! 9 j TOTTTOt TO--TO7tirr ftafft'R iffira 'saa'Mt froftarfa cro 9rTO jtor 9fjTO csti stiitR 1 9*TO Bffta^t WTOITOC^ tffe TOfCR 9«r9R TOTTOI 9ft9m | ft; »pnTOl :5><| BiftaB TOTO tfaTOff R 9*i9-9irTOi c*ia4 9f<Rtnfii TOi 9a-9itrsR3 jftR m 1 TO*rfl RiiTOaa 4t Wrotn TO ar^R. to tto <1 ntRaRt ijrrRi 9.9173 ^TO-fl a RatsnfJ TOtafl =nR Rfefira afiiR I 4 t 991 aftm Rtft No-confidonce Motionr9 TO-t'a 99ft 1 Mr. TAFAUAL ALI: The second city of the British Empire had Wn through a blo(^ bath. The savagery committed during the Great Killing in Calcutta is certainly something which will be remembered by the historians of India when writing the history of the country. The atiwities committed by the Japs and Germans p^e into before the atrocities committed in this Great Killing of Calcutta. I realise. Sir. it will seiwe no useful purpose in recapitulating the acts of brutality that have been committed on men, women and children including cases of raM on girls of immature age and women of 60 vears of age. It will merely prolong the 8ore.9 of the bodies and the minds of the aggrieved persons, and start a fresh conflagration throughout the whde province. I have heard with wrapt attention all the speeches that have been made on the floor of this House this afternoon *^t I have been pained to hear the speech made by an hononrable member who merely gave a narraGon of the atrocities committed, aocordinff to him, by one partioukr community. 1 can al^ narrate instuioM of 1946.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 115 similar nature, I mean, atrocities committed by the other community. This wil] merely embitter the feelings which are at a high tension m Calcutta, as well as throughout the Province. Sir, after hearing the speeches and observing certain facts, I am inclined to think that persons who are against this Ministry—the only licague Ministry in the whole of British India, deliberately engineered tliis riot, in order to discredit the Ministry before the bar of the world opinion (cries of “hear, hear” from Government benches.) I thought, 8ir, that after the frank and straightforward speech made by the Hon’ble Mr. Suhrawardy in the Upper House, in reply to an adjoiirnment motion, this motion of no- confidence would not be pressed in the Tiower House, but my friends in the opposite have decided otherwise. Sir, one fact that strikes me is that on the 15th August, a meeting was held in the Deshapriva Park which was attended by eminent men of the other community including some honouruldc members of this House. Without discl()sing the name of the particular inemher 1 urn pained to read a portion from Ins siK»ech in which he exhorted the HiiKlu youths of Bengal to rise against the Muslim League Ministry and set up a parallel Government and start a no-rent campaign, saying that if the majority were to rule, the jackals w«»uld rule over the lions. Sir, m\ honourabh* friends will realise that such a H]K*ech must have created a very had setting for the Itlth August. Another fact that strikes me most is the participation of a class of persons who are not Hindus — I mean my Sikh brethren, and I pt>sseHS unimpeaehuble evidence to prove that the Sikhs attacked the MuHlinis — the peaceful processionists — in .South ( alcutta along with Hindu goondas ami subse- quent!} took part also in killing Muslims. Tliey are not Hindus, and I do not know why they took part in this communal strife. W’^hy should the Sikhs fight unless there was a previous alHam’e between the .Sikhs ami others, who wan/ed to create trouble on the Kith; there is no reason why people who were not Hindus shoiihl take part in a communal fight. Hut 1 sav. Sir, that it wuis not a communal .fight at all. On the Uith August, at 9 u.m, in the morning, there were simulta- neous attacks in various parts of the city. One such attack was made on a Muslim mass in a Hindu urea of CVntru! (.'alcutta where as many as 15 persons were killed and the report is that in that area my esteemed friend Mr. Dhirendra Nath Datta also lives in a Boarding House, namely, the Ideal Home. I do not know if it is correct. Now, Sir, w'ill it be proper to say that because some atrocities wen^ committea near his building, my friend Mr. Datta could have anything to do with those atrocities Similarly, the Ministers canm»t have anything to do with any atrocities that might have been committed by Muslims. And as far as 1 am aware, tla^se atrocities were committed late on the 17th, 18th and 19th so far as killing was concerned. Sir, it has been said that Muslims in ail places were aggressors. I do not know, Sir, how it is pfwsible either for me or for any honourable member to say on the floor of the House that either the Muslims or the Hindus in all places were the aggressors. T do not pretend to make a statement of this nature because I consider it to be physicaDy impossible to -vouch for a statement of this nature. But, Sir, I was present in the maidan meeting of the lOth, where about a lakh of Muslims assembled and held a jH*aeeful meeiing. I have personal knowledge of this fact that apart from motorists, even Hindu pedestrians and cyclists were passing by tbe side of this meeting, hut not a single Mussalman thought it fit to interfere with their ireedom of movement. On the other hand We have been asked to believe that a handful of Muslims who were coming in a procession to the meeting, everywhere gave provocation. I would ask the honourable members ojf this House to draw their own conclusions on the facts of the case as to who gave the provocation. ^ , m MOTIONS OF NO^^OKFIDENCE, [19th Sbpt., On the IGth evening I went to the Medical College Hospital ^ith some injured persons after 6 p.m. and at .the junction of Wellington Street and Bow Bazar, the truck in which I was carrying the injured persons was stoned by the goondas. I would leave it to the House to assume what kind of goondas they were that they threw stones at the truck in spite of the Red CVoss sign on it. At the Medical College Hospital I met Colonel Montgomery, i found out that there were as many as 45 deaths recorded by the Calcutta Medical College on the 16th and my information goes that out of 45, 35 were Muslims and 10 Hindus. If the Muslims were the aggressors — and the Calcutta Medical College is located at a place near about which there are localities inhabited predominantly hy Muslims — I am sure the proportion of deaths would be different on the 16th in the Calcutta Medical College. These are and there are various other unerring circumstances. It is no use making observations or throwing 6ing on any individual or any particular party. Sir, there are facts and circumstances which will lead to the irresistible conclusion that there are some persons — some braiiw behind who wanted to create some trouble from Saturday. It may be that their intention was not to spread a conflagration of this nature, but once the flame was kimlled it was probably beyond the power of the authors to control a conflagration, of (his nature. Sir, 1 j)ersonally thought that today’s debate would centre round one question, namely, tlu‘ inactivity of the police in Calcutta on the IGth and 17th and some days thereafter. It is true that the police did not shcjw activity on the JOth and 17lh. 1 rang up the Deputy Commissioner of Pcdice, South, on the 17th, several times only to he told that the Deputy Commissioner was out. It has now transpired that on the 17th the IX'puty ('ommissioner of the South district was taken to some place on a specific duty in spite of the fact that the 17th August, was the greatest day of man-killing in Calcutta. I do not know for w’hat purpose the Ih'puty Commissiomu- of Police was taken away from his onlinary [)lace of duty. But as far as ] have been able to UvSeertain, he was taken (iractically for window dressing. There were two Deputy Commissioners of Police in the North IRstrict working during that period in respect of which the number of peofde slauglitereii in (he North District is simply appalling, I have heard horrible stories from Refugee Camjis. It is not proper for me to give out those stories now us I Ir. not want to rouse communal feelings again in the city of Calcutta. But, Sir, it is surprising that particular jiluccs were besieged and held for 11) or VI hours and tiie killing continued for 8, 10 or 12 hours in spite of which the police did not come to the rescue of the attacked places and persons. It appear.s to me. Sir, that it is necessary for the Chief Minister to start an empiiry against the Commissioner of Police, Calcutta, and I hope. Jsir, His Excellency the (tovernor of the province, knowing him as I do, will certainly not hesitate to join tlie Hon’ble Chief Minister in starting an enquiry against the Commissioner of Police, Calcutta, for his inactivity. Sir, after all that hae been said and done, I realise that mere words will not improve the situation. Certain allegations have been made against the Muslims throughout the province and I have no time to reply to those allegations. I hope the Hon’hle Chief Minister will reply to some. I have personal knowledge of some places of w*hich the facts have been presented before the Assembly in a very distorted mimner, particularly in Chamlpur w^here it was a peaceful procession and the pr(wessionists were attackenf and brickbats w’ere thrown al them when they were dispersing after the procession, as a result of which the processionists letaliated. At Bancharampur also, which is a place wit^n my subdivision, originally it was not a communal trouble. There the trhole trouble started over the issue of a Ration Card hv a Hindu gentleman who w’aa a member of the local Food Committee. It wras not MOTIONS OT N<M!ONFIDENCE. 117 1946.} * an incident of a communal nature at all, in spite o! which a reign of terror has been created by the Bindu offioerau in Bancharampur thana and ► respectable Muslims who were aotually mpoceni have b^n arrested for a trouble of this nature. Similarly, “Sir, is the train incident referred to by one of my honourable friends. Nobody knew that the culprita might be Muslims. Nobody thought that the culprits could not be non- Muslims. If perchance the culprits hajtpen to be Muslims and tbey are punished by a court of law, the Muslims will have no grudge on that score, hut 1 do not think it will he fair to cite a particular incident of crime and give it a communal colouring unneces.Harily. Sir, in conclusion 1 would place before tlie House, my humble views that we should all be sorry for the ctniduct of those persons, educated I> 4 *rsons who during this ( alcuttu Killing hud taken pari either directlv or indirectly in man-slaughter, and 1 would further suggest that a wall of shame should In* (instructed iu some conspicuous part of Calcutta to commemorate the killing of a brother hv a brother in the great Calcutta Eiiliiig. Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNOU: Mr. Speaker, Sir. within the short-time at my disposal it is not possible to plaoe the entire incident, unhappy incident, tliat took place on those fateful days in the middle of August, Sir, nor do I think it necessary to j)lace facts here, fur this is not the jo'oper forum where we can decide matters after hearing facts. If I place fact-' I know that these facts cannot fake the place of legal proof or legal evidence*. I shall place facts iu one way and my friends opp(tsit(’ will mak(‘ counter-allegations and theta* wdll he* no end of if, hut. Sir, I want to place a few facts for expressing the feelings of the Hindu public in this province. * Sir, my friend the iluirble Mr. Sham.suddin Ahmod, was telling ua that the Hindus by their speeches and conduct showed that they wanted to see that the Direct Action Day hecame a failure. Sir, ihii sort of argument is a double-edged argum«*nt and cuts hotli ways. I can say that tin* Muslims wh<» declared Itlth to he the Direct Action wanted and wi'.hed to *►(*(* it very siiecessful. So any ohstaele on their way for a succehsful termination of tlie observance of the Direct Action Day would be ver.\ much resented by Wiy and every Mussalman. Sir, the morning of Itlth at about 7-1 o, one Muslim young man was admitted in the Medical (Vdlege Hospital. 1 am told that he won pulling a rickshaw against the (loclaration not to work or to suspend all work by the Muslim League to observe the Direct Action Day, and be was iiit by Muslim goondu.s and w'as brought by some Hindus :ind Sikhs. (A Mi MiiKH i iioM (iovKHNMKNT UKNC iiKs : Sikhs?) That is tlic report which I got from neW'spap(*r. There is record in tlu^ Medical College Hospital and you may enquire of the physician or surgeon, who might have been incharge at that time. It is the custom to enquire and to take a short statement from the injured person. Hti might have told something and if an enquiry is made it will ho proved that he was hit by a Muslim — an over-zealous Muslim who naturally wanted to see that the Direct Action Day was successful. So, Sir, the entry in the Medical College Hospital or Campbell Hospital earlier does not show or prove anything, nor any examination of farts is required to prove the utter failure of the Ministry and for the matter of that the (iovemment of Bengat^to maintain peace and order. Sir, one here in this House, the Muslim Leaguer and the Congressiles have admitted not only this afternoon, but also yesterday in the Upper House that the police was inactive and the Hon’ble Mr. Suhrawardy, who is the Home Minister and Minister in charge of law and order had tried in his reply to shift the responsibility on the Commissioner of Police. Sir, 1 ca^iot think of a harder expression by 118 MorroNs OP jro^NproENCE. ri9TH Sm*., which the Ministry can he condemned. The Hbn’ble Mr. Suhrawardy staiids self -condemned by expressing his utter helplessness in telling us that he could not do anything, he could not pass orders on the Commis- sioner of Police, He said in these words: The responsibility of maintaining law and order in Calcutta is that of the Commissioner of Police and no Minister and no higher authority can interfere with it. Even if the Commissioner of Police will not perform his duties no Minister will interfere. Imagine the helpless condition of the Minister and the jKJopIe whose saftey is entrusted on the Ministry. Even if the Commissioner of Police will sit tight, even if there will be unchecked wholesale murder, the Minister and the higher authorities will not interfere. Sir, if he knew that he has no power to command the Commissioner of Police, why did he go only to court insult there in the Control Room? His presence in the Control Room would not ensure any safety to the people and citizens of Calcutta. Sir, I admit that Hindus and Muslims were brutal alike during those days, and J admit that there was no peace and tranquillity anywhere, either in bye-lanes or streets, but what this Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers and the Government did. It cannot be said that they did not know anything about it beforehand. On the 14th, in this House my esteemed friend the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali told us that their motive was very good and they declared lOth to be a holiday to avoid clash, conflict and disturbances. The resolution that was passed by the Muslim Leag\ie in reply to the resolution of the Congress also admitted that with the object of avoiding clash, conflict and disturbances. Kith was declared a holiday. S(j it was know^n to us all that there was a likelihood of breach of peace on the IGth. Sir, my friend Mr. Abul Hashim was telling us that the Hon’ble Mr. Suhraw'ardy was at the height of his genius on the Kith. Sir, I do not know if he paid any compliment by saying so. If the poor performance made by the llon’ble Mr. Suhraw’ardy on the Kith and following days was the height of his genius, 1 must say he is devoid of any genius at all. Sir, there are other incidents. On Riipabani Cinema House, there was an assault. This was an unprovoked attack at about 8 or 8-30 in .the morning when it was not the time for procession on the 16th. There were many other incidents, but I do not want to place them before the House, because I think that that is not necessary. The only point is whether there were disturbances, whether they were know'll to Government, whether the Ministers apprehended disturbances and whether the Ministers or for the matter of that Government or the Commissioner of Police did their best to avert those disturbances. If they knew it, they could have certainly averted those distxirbances only if they would have placed pickets one day earlier, i.e., on the 15th. My friend the Hon’be Mr, Shamsuddin was reading out from papers certain matters which help us very much, because theso..are matters which gave us clearly to understand that there would be a clash. If these matters w'ere before the Government and the Ministers, they should have been specially careful to make elaborate arrangements for Police ^d Military to avert those disasters. But,^ Sir, they have not done 80 , Our previous experience is that on the 8tb August 1942, there was a resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee, and on the 9lh all the top leaders of the Congress were arrested and the Congress organisation was deolmred ille^l. Processions and meetings were banned. Here, Sir, the League Party is in power in BengalTbut what did ^ey do ? They by their action encouraged direct action. They are remaining in the Government to encourage direct action — not direct aetion, aa my friend the Hon*ble Mr. Shamsuddin has told ua againat the Briiishara againa^ whom he waa pouring venom, but certainly MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 119 1M6.] against the Hindus and the Congress. 1 cannot reconcile their policy that ‘'they shall be in the Government and also declai’e and take recourse to direct action”. When Congress declared direct action, they at once went out of office. (The Hon’ble Mr. Shamsdodin Ahmed: You do not know facts; direct action has not been declared. You will learn hereafter.) If only the observance of Din'ct Action Day produced such a result, I do not know what will be the fate of Bengal if direct action is actually taken up and commenced. Mr. MUHAMMAD RAFIQUE: Sir, I find that here in this House unlike other places that I have been accustomed to we can make all ^orts of statements — correct, half-correct and incorrtH*! — with impunity. The question before us today is not as to how many Hindus were killed and liow many Muslims were killed; the ejuestion before us today is how far Government is responsible for the occurrence of Kith to 19th. In order tt) assess that we have got t(> go bark to the day when Direct Action re8oluti(»n was passed in Bombay. From that day ^u will find that propaganda liad been carried on by the Congress and Hindu press. Meetings have been held not once a month, or once in every three months, but pra(ticall\ eviTy du\ in all parts of the city of ('alcutta exciting the Ilimln youths that under no circumstances should they give in. Again when the meeting of the ItUli was announced, two days betore that, meetings, private and public, were held in all corners of Calcutta and the young men, educated young men, w’ere given to understand that if" they once gave in, Ihikistau would be established. In onler to ussi^ss the cause of the riot beginning from the Kith, you have to take these facts into consideration. Leaflets in lakhs and lakhs were distributed purnorting to have come from the Muslims exciting the Muslims to assault Hindus. These leaflets, 1 can say without any fear of contradiction, were issued by the Hindu Pre.ss — iinn-Mtislim pi ess. The Hindu young men wore given to understand that 16th is a day which will deiidc whether Pakistan would he estaiilished or m»t. We have alrea<ly seen examples of these leaflets which have been just produced before tin* House by my friend Mr, Jalan as having been printed from 4o/l, Itatu Sarker Lane — a locality where the Hindus predominate. (Laugliter from the Congresa Benches. I 1 have g<»t a grievance against tin* Chief Minister, becauao he gave an assuranee to us that there would be lU) trouble on the I6th, perhaps relying on the fact that wdienever (.’ongress says that they would attack, they remain non-violent and whenever they say that they would remain non-violent, they resort to violence. Perhaps he thought that these were mere throats and the (’ongress threats do not mean what are utteretl in the Press and on the platform. Had we known that a well-planned scheme has been made to crush the Muslim# on the Kith, we would not have attended the meetings on the maidan in lakhs and lakhs leaving our children and womenfolk at home to the mercy of the Hindu goondas to be butchered. I have visited many localities on the Kith. I went to maindan at 8 o’clock and I was told that w’hile the processionists were passing through Ezra Street, brickbats were thrown upon (hem. Perhaps the perpetrators of this crime thought that if they threw brickbats on the young men who were going to attend the meeting, the meeting would not be successful) little realising that this conflagration might take such a huge form unknown in nistory. *"The entire rcjsponsibility rests with the leaders of the Congress Party and the Hiifdu press which had Ixjen for the past few days ^oing on preaching and publishing horrible news exciting the Hindu society. I can just give you a personal experience. While I was passing through the Bow Bazar Street, I found a young man being dragged inside a lane. I asked some persons who appeared to be educated Hindu young men of bbadrolog class to let him go« telling them that I would *keep him all sight. They did not pay any heed to m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [19th Sjbpt., my request. On the other hand, they attempted to drag out my driver who happened to be a Muslim, and damaged my car with brickbats. It pained me to see that they were all educated young men and spoke nice English. They belonged to the University and big offices. I was surprised at their conduct. We were under the impression that the Calcutta riots were the work of the hooligans, but I found that these riots had been dcdiberately engineered and perfectly planned by the edueate<l Hindu l)ha<lralogs, in order to smash the Muslims so that they could never attend the meeting in thousands to make it a success. Sir, long before this meeting w'as held in the Maidan I was asked by some of rny friends in the Calcutta (’orporation as to what would happen on the Ifjth, and said : fV OTt i It merely shows how prepared they were. Sir, my friend has said that the first man that was admitted into tlie Calcutta Medical College was a rickshaw puller, I can tell him that Muslim rickshaw pullers were slaughtered in fifties. In one place they were asked to come out with the assurance that their life would not be in danger and they would he remove«l to a safe place. They were taken out one by one and done to death. (Cries of “shame, shame”, from the Govern- ment benches.) You cannot continue with this show. If we knew ^hat there was going to be a riot and there were preparations made by the Hindus, we would not have declared the IGth August a public holiday and asked the Muslims to participate in the public meeting at the maidan leaving their womeuiolk, children, hearth and home un- defended to full an eas> prey to this well-planned hooliganism of the other community. My friends have said that the Hindu localities were left unguarded. He is not correct in saying so. Some ol my friends also said that Hindus were slaughtered defenceless, which I repudiate. (Interruptions.) Tak<* the rase of Tiljala and Ihuk Circus ureas where Hindus in thousands were given protection. (Interruptions.) Hindu shops in Zakariah Street were not touched. Tlie> are all intact. Dr. Sen and Captain flupta’s di.spensuries were also left untouched in that area. Sir, you will he pained to hear — perhaps \ou are already aware — that the Wellington Square mosque just in front of ]>r. H. C. Hoy’s house had been desecratcul. Mr. Julan said that huge sums of money were taken h\ Muslims to re.scue the Himlu.s. This may be true, but the lives of the Hindus who hud to pay money w'ere made safe by the Muslims who took the money. Hut 1 may tell him that money was extorted from the Muslims and tliey were ashUied that the> would be rescued to a place of safety; but tbe promise was not kept and the> were all murdered. Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are meeting here to di.seuss thi.s motion under the shadow' of a great calamity from which (^ilcutta has just suffere«l. Sir, after we have witness- ed the communal frenzy unleashed in Calcutta and what a havoc it did cause, I hope the members of this House will rise up to the sense of their respons- ibility us members ami as representatives of the j)eople of Bengal and will face witjiout passion the problem thev are out to solve, namely, to find a way for the purpose of giving Bengal a peaceful and happy future. (A vou'K KHOM THE Trk.asi’RY Benches : '‘Pliysician heal thyself.) Sir, as a member of this House privileged to represent a joint constituency of both Hindus and Muslims 1 record my deepest sense of grief at the senseless oarnagf) which has taken a toll of lives of thousands of Hindus and Muslims fdike. What are the causes underlying this carnage Sir, I know that the Hindus and Muslims of Beaga! want always to live together and in fact they have been living together for centuries. Sir, it is not to the interests of the Hindus end Muslims of Bengal to exterminate each other, but alas, 1946 .] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. iti Sir, there are forces from outside, there are the adventurers for tlie expan- sion of the Empire in this country who would not even condescend to speak the language of the Bengali Hindus and Muslims after years and years of their residence in this land who would rather have us divided. Then again, Sir, it is from England that the Constitution Act was promulgated and we are w(^rking and meeting here unfortunately under that constitution. They would rather have us divided .so that they may mislead us into fratricide and tlirive ujMJn t)ur divisu>n for their self-aggrandisement in world politics. Sir, that is a fact which we cannot overhaik and to our utter shame they rear ui> sucivsslully hy their manu'uvring communal electorates ami communal organisations and create communal leaders who become convenitMit and willing tools in the hands of the British and perpetuate British sponsored division amongst us. The sinister game costs us blood and tears. It costs them nothing. We lose all and they gain an Empire at onr cost. Tlie real enemy lurks behind his ereatures and we wallow in the horror of brother stubbing bi(»tlier to the triumph and glory of the British Kmiiire. While we spill blood, the Britishers smoke their leisurely pipe and perhujis chuckle to .see us so succe.ssfully befooled. They witue.vs in India a stage, wlii«‘h has been lelt centuries behind in England w'hen the worst orgies took place between the Uouuin ('utholics and the Protestants. Whereas we want unity, whereas the Congress as u party uork for the good of all alike, the lemlers of the Mu.slim League want divi- sion ami play the Brtish game. That is the tragedy. The Leaders of the Muslim lieague would ul.so rather m»t comlesceml to speak the mother tongue of the Bengali Hindus and Muslims m»r understand the sorrows unhappy Bengal. For they are only eager to .score their bargains in the high politics of India at the cost of the blood ot Bengal. Sir, neither the Bengali Himliis nor the Muslims want to exterminate each other in u senseless game ot power jiolitics. They w'nnt bread and fr<*edom p(pially for all. Why then this stupid killing of eacli other.'' Sir, one of the im^tliods pinplovetl was with a view' to terrorise Bengal and hold it as a blackmailing score for the puipose of extortion elsewhere. Till* siMulb-d l)i lect Action Day as observed in our Proviiiee on the IGth of August liad resulted in the gruesome tragedy in the city of (!alcutfu. It i.s surprising (A vuk k chom thk (iovrmnmknt inNi iiKs ; It is a tragedy all over India, i It i.s not a tragedy all over India but one in Bengal. It is .surprising t4iat it shoiild not have ociMirred to the Chief Mmintor who is in cliurge of tbe Department of laiw and Order and his Council of Ministers that they could not be tlie (‘ustodians oi law and order and of the protection ami ])eaco ol the ]Teoplc of all communities of tliis province a« well as the protagoni-'ts of direct action at one and the same lime. They should have obtained free bands for themseives fioin their Quaid-e-Azam Mohuiiiined All Jinnah to keep Bengal cmtside the pale of their so-called direct action if for no other reason than ihi.s that their Ministry already hold the province for the Muslim League*. No direct action was needed in Bengal unless it was for the purpose of a coinmunul war of extermination against those who did not .see eye to eye with the leaders of the Muslim League. They are guilty of incredible stuj»idit,\ if tliey fail to see thin simple course of common sense and reason. In connection with the happenings of Calcutta it is the Bengal Ministry and neither the Hindu nor the Muslim community who were on the dock today; for it is this Mini.stry w^hich by the heiiffit of their stupidity and Vicompetence, if not by their nefariou.s complicity, have been responsible for the slaughter of both the Hindus and Muslims. It is futile now splitting the hair and quarrelling on their failure to give ]»rotectiou to the Hindus. If they failed to give protection to the Hindus, they etjually failed to give protection to the Muslims and there is no recompense to the bereaved lamiliee of either community. It is futile now splitting the hair and quarrelling as"* to who killed how many. If you are stupid enough to rouse 42$ MOTIONS OF m-<)ONFlJ>ENCE. [19m Sept., the Frankenetein of communal passions, the consequences beyond your control are inevitably bound to follow (The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy: Hear, hear!) I am glad to find the Chief Minister agreeing at least on this point. Sir, the politics of the Muslim League leaders is based not on love and brotherliness of the human being, for such noble and humane sentiments are not allowed to find a place in their outlook. They keep on fanning the lowest communal passions as egged on to do by the cunning ingenuity of their Britisii masters under whose patronage they flourished. Their unceas- ing appeal is to the selfishness and greed, to the basest Tommunal passions and separatism. That is not playing with politics. It is playing with the blood and lives of others. Within the limits of my time, vSir, I do not wish to go into details. Mr. Suhrawardy surely is not a child not to be able to realise that the minds of vast sections of the people were panic-stricken regarding the direct action in Bengal and quite naturally so. Direct action by the party in power is an unheard-of tning anywhere in the world. Against -^whom could such direct action be? Mr. Suhrawardy roused his Frankenstein but could not control it. That was precisely what happened in Calcutta. Mr, Suhrawardy 'k conduct and failure to keep his assurance about the peace- ful observance of the Direct Action Day might be briefly contrasted with the conduct and actions of his fellow League Ministry of Sind. Mr. Suhrawardy and the Bengal Ministry have not shown that sense of responsibility evinced by their colleagues in Sind on the same occasion. They did not profit by this plain fact but took the responsibility for what has happened in Bengal in contradistinction to Sind. Or, are they in search of a scapegoat for setting up a defence case before the Commission appoint- ed by themselves? If what Mr. Suhrawardy now^ says in support of his plea of “not guilty” is to be taken as true, that plea would be tantamount to placing Governor Burrows and the (Commissioner of Police on the dock. Incidentally, the conduct of all these officers deserve scrutiny. It would be useful to contrast the part played by these officers in contradistinction to the part played by the Ghiei Secretary of Sind (At this stage the red light was on.) May I, wdth your permission, Sir, finish my sentence with saying that it is today an undeniable fact that the present Ministry does not enjoy the confidence of vast sections of the people of Bengal. If, Sir, the existence of the present Ministry in office means the wintinuance of panic, it is their duty to quit and help in the installation of a Ministry which would enjoy the confidence of all sections of the people of the province of Bengal, if peace is really their objective in view. With these w^ords I commend these two motions to the acceptance of the House. May I, Mr. Deputy Speaker, offer a word of correction with reference to the speech you have delivered on the floor of the House? Mr# DEPUTY SPEAKER: I could have allowed you if you had time, but now your time is up and you have also finished your speech. Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURI: Mr. Speaker, Sir, mmi tpin wnm *r9nr wwcki w 4^ •rtwni fir: ^ win tftftrif wHi figiR f fipr cmm wfciR i viit wci!! cW 'itcw wm 4? f>f firfe^ wm to cftcf »niTOf 4»ii ^ w Him fbci wmcfs? ^ cfm wmrw mi wn tnw *tti wwn cm 1 ^.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. m ’Wrti <?r ?c«% ^ finm i ^Kit irwl fR»nf fyi^.yrarfm, Stofw, to ^ w nii 1TO» 5CI fr^-yron:^ irv i c»r irw oscn Brtircf ffronr ’ftf i at c^r =TTtTO (TO, >5 (TO ? TO CTO ctfTO raff fi: (Tor -rft» '3?T^ c^m^oi TO?, (TR -irrrr <4^ i tocw ■nfw totto TO ?nTO”-‘^^ 5 iTOr f? c^”— f^ TO Eft*!t cJT^cvr fkwc% i TOTtfw toscw »nf OT TITO TTCW^ tot tfTt-t *nrT TITO nilMf® jftM TOf^T I TOR TO f>R* TOP ^ CTtC^, TO ifR TOTT JJ’TTOI sttTOT fTf*! Ttot 1^ TOT TOR iTOTOt^ toot TOi Tf rrm f%cii I ^¥tn TO TOn F^KTOTOT TTt^ I TO-st r!R-TTiTO'*Tfl TOl t’cR TO r’^S— TO tjXRI TO CTTT TO TOTO rItot TO TOCf I TO?»tR3 TOTT ftTtf I fVl TOC^ TO ’tf^T (TOTS RTllR I TO ctl? ^TfR 'tfilTn TO farfiin ^nflR ftTO m^f 1 RicipR c®^ 8 ?t®R clt^Tnr^TT to tojt i rtt ftff^ TOM <RTR (R3TOT C^TTR TOR TOd?« RTTt '(J^T^S cTOR (SR^ TOM^T fTTOW^Mf RTMT I TO 4^ cT TOn Sin tort mtoot ntc^ c?R *n mPmct totot tfcTOT aelf-orltl- cinm T1 ROTTTCTOn R?R I TOUTT TOTto^ %? C^T CTO OT TOT f^lT TO fror^ROT T^TTR TCM CTO (RMTO RTOtT Tfffl I CT TOl TO CMR— TO TOl TTO Rtlx -^\ 4rR Ti Tsp mo ^ : s\r:^ <nvil war? m crt^t rr tIt r c^lROT toct, Uit^at Calcutta Killii^. '51 cTO^ Tfr MToM RMi TO 4t TO WfC^ Tf i RtMTOl ROM CTO C*^^T C'fCMO CTO 4^ r^TfRtCO T^TTf^l fTOrR--Mfm fTOTf I 'mfo rim:«R 3fMi OMC'S Mt m, MtitftcR RMi T^ri 6R m, tS-fM m Ittoi (RR *rfT mi CfTCT TO TOT RTT^ bit I RtTO! 'SHO TltMl CTOR RfOTt^ RMl I (R TTtRl ctrOTc^cmcRTO. CT m;»mr s fT^to rcrItot, ct mr^R trotr 'Q TltarmT fr^- ctp tr^ ctoot flORjm cn^ m,’TO ctoot Tti c^cm f^crr rnionrc®, JTtftOT mi I 4^ 0^' Tc;TO TfMl OMM otfo 'rMsi TCT TO TfiirT^ (RCTOMl CMCR (R TOl5 Tt’Tl (RCi WXRf? CTTCM, CM C'fRCTO RRRl RfoTflU f-f ^11 I RRR TCM Ot(R TtCT TO !fj Tft^t.a^—TOTr ltd? T^ijo (RTTR^acMi rcto toi cro tfRc-ro cto t mtot wj^ OpiR TOl fTOl ‘■JR TOX^ TOl CflTO WRofo f TO1 tM TOMITOl fMtl TOl TCTO ctimVr To Of lot *n;i, tot Tim to— isritoi r 'o cir^itTOTCTT mr*frc«T toot ctm cmtTO ? 4? co ^tomfo ot^^i c^-r cotto rotm toct, to toi i coFiTO ^rvfro, ms TO, tooi to (OTm cto 4? TOf^m cto oiri ctto Sir vti to, TO ^ R 1 CTO TOft m^OF^cro T[TOt<iin^ TOOT TOl? StMR TO, ¥ 3 ^^ trTO-R TO^ I ^Ito-R CTO R'^tTO RTft m I fTO R’iRTSR ms -ROT RR TOF CTO tIV TSTR CMIR CTO «rti Tr tff%TO RTO TO r TfTTf^TO’t TORT Tr tfCTO TOftTI TTO CT mTRt« 5TTO 31 TR RTO TOOT T ^ ffTO TOfftraf TOl f^ CTO I CTOR TORI? RRIKiTOTt TOTOT fsfCi^-f CTO 'Q CTStR TOfOR TORfTR R'tmfRl RRT RXI tR I C-pSlW fTf^ifTO T1 tIRTO TOR TORI WaiCf--^ TTfTO TOOT flW^ CTOH (RJ TO I -ftTO TOR !RfV5 TOR TO 4 t C;f*rR TORITOiRTTORI WK ITRtyTO 4 ¥M 1 R^WR toot R 1 l TOTftTORfB^, TORI TOtrs RtOT fR TO TO[Tr9«^ RTtROT RtX^ lRl CTR MTOHR^ItOT fWTORl Rfl Cto « tS-fro R C R TO^3 ^IRFTOT TOl R^IJR TORR TOtTS CTOOR f% T RfTt«lR!t RftRCTO (rto No Confidanoo— ^TO No Confidenoo— No Confidenoo to, 4S1 f^RlgWlRlTO TOOT TOR TOCTOR, 4 TOf R i g iW R t C R T TOR tfTOR I toIr RHi ▼!! TORR ^ TOi TO I lTOTO R 13 TORI TO! CTOf ITOTO Mtn TORI flf® TOfl MlOT TOTOW R%ff« llWr TO(M> TO fiR tWi TO, TOW RTOTO 1ff% (flff TOOT-< cm m MOTIONS OF no-confim;nce. [19th Sept., TO TO1 ^ f W IrtCTn TOfSfCV TO! ¥91 TOC^^Wltf fiMTt ^ TOT9 « ail^a ffm tfFffro snro f 9f totw f¥« cf$ i ^ CTfC’PT *rt#t ▼W9Tir TOtrW? Jff'lfrjRil C¥f^ t^CTO ^ • 4t *tf<ft^ tfltTOl TOW] TO C¥t^? (At this stage the red light ^as lit.) Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURI: One minute please, jjt arr^n^f^ vxi *rrf¥rm ^ to? wi], »prs ?f^m cf»r ctoto ^f??^ rr? ^?? to f^ror? ?i ’frlVro ^ : ?fTc?? to ^firTro i ^ 's^tuoto 's ^ ?ltf?1TOf *fTlt WSVS 5? TOW? I '3?TC'5^ JjTOT«f' ?ft«TCW ?5n rOTi «RT *rrtrt I ??, ??f?? cTO plan c?TO f^?T? ’Tf ^ rcTO I »r?m? (TOt*ff?^ ?JtTO 'Jit c? toti ’ttf^ i ^a?fpr? cron^ to ^ t ij it wc ?? TO5? ♦tf?«r5 TOCff? I Mfi Gs C. D. WILKS: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Anglo- Indian Group, I rise to strongly condemn the complete breakdown of Government machinery for the maintenance of law and order during the ill-fated days of last month. No individual, no community, no political party, in fact, no Government, Can view with equanimity this failure to maintain law and order. The breakdown was evident to the man in the street. The police failed to maintain law and order. The militarj^ were called out too late. Arson, looting and murder held sway in the city for 48 hours. It was apparent to all and sundry that the situation was out of control by midday on Friday and, speaking for my Group, I would like the Hon’ble Chief Minister to tell us why the military were not called out on Friday, The Hon’ble Chief Minister, when replying to a debate in the Upper House on the Ibth August, stated that his action in declaring a public holiday on the Kith August was motivated by tlie desire to prevent disorder. Therefore, he must liave foreseen the possibilities of disorder and, under these circumstances, will he explain what s])ecial police precautions were taken and if the military were asked to stand by in case of need? On the other hand, we liuve been amazed at the attacks from the Oppo- sition Benches on the failure of the police to take action on this occasion and, in particular, their criticism of the police in not making use of fire- arms. In contrast, their public attacks against the self-same guardians of law and order for their attein])ts to prevent breaches of the Law in November lust year can hardly be reconcilwl. This perhaps lyay be an explanation of the police inaction on this occasion. In other words, Sir, “you eaniiot eat your cake and have it.” The police are in an invidious position and it is essential that at all times we must have an impartial force so that the public support may be behind them. Here I would like to tell the Hon*ble Minister in charge of this portfolio that manners and dealings of this force towards the general public are not beyond question, and I would point out that these men should he the servants of the general public and not the masters. In any case, it hat been proved without doubt that the existing police force is inadequate for a city of the size of Calcutta and it must be augmented immediately. From the speeches made Wfore the House so far, I regret to remark that all speakers seem to have overlooked one major point and that is, what win be the fate of this prcrvince in the event of the present Ministry falling? I would like the honourable members on the Government benches to realise that they have done their utmost to shield their Ministry, but in so doinf; theqr have help^ to fan the flames of communal feelings whereas the CMti- gi^Qon of the Hon’hle Chief Minister in no uncertain terms by the Opposition MOTIONS (MP NO-OONPIDMCE. m im.] Sir, I do not stand kere to make excuses for one side or the otker. I represent a very small minority group of this House and I would like to point out the fate of this province if this Ministry should fall. The leaders of the two major communities of this Province should hesitate before worse happens. The seed of commimalism has Wen sown on fertile soil and has borne ripe fruit. Itiot and arson will be the order of the day, life and property will no longer be safe and the fair name oT this province will ever remain besmirched for ever in history. Are we all to permit thisl* An alternative to this Ministry is the enforoeinent of section Govern- ment. This enforcement would be di.sustrou8 to the province. (At this stage the member reached his time-limit and was allowed two minutes.) We have just emerged from an Adminisliation of this type and its ills have hardly left the proviure. Gur country is on the eve of independence and we, therefore, must strive at all costs to uphold a parliamentary form of Government. Heversiou to section 98 therefore would put the clock back a hundred years. We are gathered here today as the elected n'presentatives of the |H^opie of Bengal. We all ^lesire that peace and prosperity should be the lot of our people. Therefore, it is our bounden duty to stuily the present position in a spirit of conciliation and not recrimination. In the next few weeks a commission of eminent Judges will sit to enquire into the recent happenings and, therefore, it is not up to us at this stage to pciint the finger of accusa- tion at any individual or party. It would he difficult, in any case to fix responsibility on any individual during the eonlimiance of the administra- tion under the lIKio Act winch divides responsibility for the inuintenanoo of law and order. This position is misatistactorv hut it is inevitable until the new Constitution has been framed. A chuugt* of heart rather than a change of leatlership is recpiired to save Bengal troiu anarchy. Therefore 1 call upon the present Ministry and all lionourablc nuunbers of tbe House to save what good will there is left and to go all out to form a coalition — a Coalition Ministry of all parties including the minorities so that good Government may nrevail. Inetiiciency and graft must he struck out with a firm hand, but this hand must not be coniinunal, To prosper, Bengal requires a Government <d the people, by the pi^ople and for tlie jieople, liut to be successful any change in Ministry must he through negotiation and not through defeat. It a great tiling. 1 ask of the memhers that with India standing on the threshold of the House of Freedom and the doors wide open to receive her surely each and all of us of her sons must make this sacrifice, so that Freedom may be ours. (Applause.) JYOTlBAtM: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I feel J must participate^ in tKis debiilcT as a rejiresentative of a wwking class constituency composed of both Hindus and Muslims and let us pay a tribute to the working class of Calcutta and its suburbs for keeping comparatively ahaif from the carnage that has disgraced our city and blackened most horribly our political life. I shall not attempt to ^epict the savagery c.owMirdice and iiihuraanityN to which thousands of people descended, but I would ask all memliers of tbis House and my countrymen outside in all seriousness not b» forget for a moment that whatever we say or do must be w ith a view to salvage, at once and with all the good wTll, political insight and the spirit and strength of our people, their doubtless determination to fight imnerialist trii^kery and win the freedom for which both Hindus and Muslims nunger and thirst ^d ache in eve^ limb. In Bengal for life and liberty the only way^ out is a coalition ministry with our backs turned on the ^Europeans with a progressive programme. Tbe method of achieving it is not through votes but by sitting round a table. Let us put first things first, and before we pilloiy the Ministry — which hks an enormous amount of acts of omission [IdlH Sk., MOTIONS OF NO-COlJFIOEJfCE. + and commission to nccount for—let us see the ^rime mover in .dastardlv ffame against us, let us with all our indignation realise that it is i^itisn Imperiaiisin our enemy No. 1 which keeps us down, keeps us divided ^d xnaudens our people and now proudly maintains in Calcutta a misei^bie desert peace that might break any moment Every time previously we have had a communal riot we have rightly condemned Imperialism as its main instigator and seen in our people onlv hopeless, pathetic pawns in imperialist hands. There is no reason to think differently now. 1 accuse with all the patriotic force I caH’^ command the main criminals who sit connplacently whether in Whitehall or New Delhi or Calcutta’s government House and pull strings and make our leading political parties walk into their trap. What a neat game the Cabinet Ministers played for the last six months, mouthing honeyed phrases luring the Congress once and Lreague another time. They announced proposals which are capable of varied interpretations. Finally thev instead of leaving our country with their army gives an award which gives neither freedom, nor democracy nor self-determination but is calculated to perpetuate our conflict ana poision the minds of one section of our people against another and which finally led to the cataclysm that happened in Calcutta. Coupled with all this I ask, Sir, what were the secret plans discussed at the Governors’ conference presided over by the Viceroy after which the Sind Governor disallowed the declaration of holiday on the 16th August and the Bengal Governor did the contrary in Calcutta the seat of British business. How was it that Government had literally abdicated in Calcutta for two days and who saw to it that the police abstained from their ordinary duty and helped in loot and arson? We have known how the police break up strikes. We have seen how they acted on Rashid Ali Day to disperse our revolutionary youth; that is how they act in suppressing people’s upsurge. We have experience how in 1942 tin* police let loose tlieir terroristic rule without reference to the Ministry. But this was an occasion when the people fell apart and they realised their rule would be strengthened. Hence it wdll n(>t avail these autwrats to take shelter behind constitutional procedure. Would they have done the same thing if Englishmen were waylaid or their property looted or military trucks burnt? This is what is palpable and meets the eye, but one can only guess the dialwlic method of the C. 1. I), in working up the riot because presumably they knew of the preparations that were afoot. There- fore I assert, Mr. Deputy 8i»eaker, this malevolent neutrality of the Governor and the Ihdice Commissioner was deliWrately planned. Mr. Suhrawardy and his Ministers are attempting to say that their business is only to give (jrders and it is the Police Commissioner’s to carry it out. Rut Mr. Suhrawardy knows, saw* it with his own eyes, felt it on the wind screen of his car on the noon of the 16th August that the crowds were getting out of control. It was his business to see that the Police Commissioner under him carry out his duty. But there is nothing to show the Prime Minister acting in a determined way. Is he thinking of suspend- ing the Police Commissioner or other Deputy Commissioners who failed to do their duty ? He lacks courage because be knows* his own failure and the miserable failure of his Government. But the Muslim League Ministry is not sepi^te from the Muslim ^ague Party and the latter must bear responsibility for its acts of omission and commission. In spite of every- thing I maintain that imperialist policy could never have landed us in this catmitrophe but for the p^ played by the League and the Congress in falling victims to the evu conspiracy. Thus I shall cite in brief tite responsibility of the League first : — (1) The '^Asad'* on 15th August editorially explained the significance of the iSth August as the day when the battle for Palnsthan begi^, MOTIONS OF NO^OXFIDENCE. ilf (2) The All-Iadia League Ceuncil characterised both the British and l^ngreas as enemies. : (3) Maulana Akram Khan and Mr. Osman reminded the Mualims that !n the sacred month of Kamzaii Jehmi against the kahra had been under- nken. (4) The kinght-errant Mr, Nazimuddin repeatedly emphasised that dnslims were not pledgtnl to non-violence. (5) The brave Mr, Suhrawardy declared he would declare Bengal in* lependent and defy the authority of the centre if the British Government aade a unilateral settlement with the Congress. (H) The All-India licague (Vuncil’s Direct Action was meant to force he Congress to accept the Cabinet Missitm’s statement of May IGth which ▼ives freedom to none and also to accept compulsory grouping without the /ote of the people. (At this stage the nieml>er reached his time-limit.) Sir, may I have a few more minutest Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I don’t think I shall be jiistitied in giving ,ou more time. Mr. JYOTI BA8U: Sir, Mr. Speaker t(dd me that he woiild allow me ID ninutes. Would you kindly give me two nunutes more!' Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, one minute. Mr. JYOTI BASU: I want two minutes more. Is it to be wondered, Sir, that a section (d the Muslims took their leaders ciiou.sly and niatle juactical prefiarations for the Direct Acti<tn and were cd to a fratricidal strife by whi(di the British forged fresh chains for us ind only British life and projierty became sate an<l Hitidus and Muslims looked at one another with tear and distrust. On the other hand the ['ongresH instead of organising an all-out offensive against British Imperia- lism has accepted the British plan knowing that the British army is not leaving, the priuce.s will have a dominant voice and that ultimate power remains with the British. Tlius the Congress face the opposition of the Muslim League within the British scheme and has to prepare jaditically and psychologic^ly against it. That is why the Muslim U'ague Direct Action is taken as a threat to the Congress and a sin’cesstul hartal is looked upon with disfavour. So pa.ssions are roused in Desapriya Bark against the day on the 15th August. Even now with: all our experience, we say that British troops cannot give UB peace; curfew order, se<*tioii 144 and Huppressiem of civil liberties will not bring back brotherly trust and fellow feeling, Api)ealM to the Viceroy to get rid of this Ministry will not help and neither will the attempt to overthrow^ it solve our problems. Because “what next” the people will ask. It is of no use the league making excuses that witliout coalition at the Centre no coalition in Bengal i.s possible. It must realise what straits our people have been reducefl to under a one-party Ministry. It is only in a spirit of patriotism that the ptditica! narties can Wether save Benj^l by working for a Coalition Ministiy^ a Ministry which will break with the Europeans And follow as I have stated a programme of pro- ? 'res8ive lef^islation, living wages, protection of unions, abolition of land- ordism, fair minimum price of jnte, adeijuate food and cloth for all, com?* plete civil liberties tf&d release of remaining political prisoners, d / MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [J9rH SfflT., W., .b ~i -oi. I" »x.’S reHoIution of iKMJonfideiKe. - Hindus and Muslims— to mobilise LT'h «„ o peace It « tiL for then, to say, Twin shal we raise <mr hands af^ainst our brothers; n^er never wf lolerate those who speak in terms of Hindus and Muslims and make us fight”. Adjournment. The House was then adjourned at 5-25 p.m. 2-15 p.m. 20th September, 1940, at the Assembly House, Caleutta. on Friday, the 1946.] m Proceedinft of the Bengei Legulative Aisembiy utemUed under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 19S5* Tm Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Friday, the 20th September, 1946, at 2-20 p.m. Present: Mr. Speaker (the Hon’ble Mr. NriitL Amin), in the Chair, 8 Hou‘blo Ministers and 236 Members. Motions of No-Confldence. [The debate on the motions of no-confidt'iut* iij^ainst tlie ('ouncil of Ministers and against the Chief Minister was resumed.] Miss BIN A DAS: r^vci vjbti tfvmv iJVtY fkarj vai m sn nT^^\ o!*cv{ iVtflJM vf^grji 'Vy^ycv %]^] ifim ^ cjTc^ nrm »rvmi v^nn mnm wm czh VR’s t cyc*r3 ?j3NT--^’r5T cru ■tst^c^'a v^ v^fTtc*! TZ tm TZ ^fvif^ ^ VTVg ijJft ~!TTrc>n 'At TO?!0! f^— fV^ ^’Tsprm, ?r?RTf> firf^iry at vsrvBti rji'st'tt nwcsi yfr5(g^ftr¥ cjfci r.<cv tnij •rmc*T« ^ ■tPR 5TO "stTf ^ VC? fn’j I r^i *11 SfRi 11 Y> i ofti >nit ^ Vi ! P(»pular (lovernment4*f cRC’J^ *Ttr.si iTJnvtcn prvtn fftvn 0Tf*piT«f c^rmv f^y. c^i ^*ftc9 c*ri mu, n^vti vc^ c*rg5i m, otT*! vpmr c*Tt va *rw*fr5 »4tcv i ftv w ^fiifvfirs iiarfii ^ tr»rc*rfl c*! f^nrcu nc^r ya »m»nt i 5 ^ ^ «nvi I ITS vfc=n vr.^ w\vs, ^r«i vpfui i cn>n cMc^R JiTO irc*n[ vtisr^ cvc^rcf . c*r ^c‘ffl cyirci ycvcs vtltcv ^ ircirc?!, c*pn ^'i^rc»ri ^rO? cvr*i vw3vtr*r>i ’«r«- TOi ^3 *nR vc*r R5rc^, cvpig ^rmi vrv yv ^nt, Rir VI? fvf *rf^ ^3 vTsrc; vtt*? y\m ^*fT tai mT9 ckzh fyn Jjt sit 3io^ ^KV, Tvi iVff] vi:fPi, vnttr Irm ttrnRi v«n vTf5i RiT »t4r3 Rt I At -mv w vtl^ W9% w cvr^ yc»n fi >rytnnt ^Mh ftntCT vifs *n i vifi c^ awv^ v^ttpr vfl cn vw^ VTtv ns rni Sj[rf5n i xt^pnn MTf5*i ci5tc*i cR4fs TOt vfv^v« jflt^sltrv tpj cv*! ilfn WRi tcry yf^ycv vt^ nn virs frc^R r cvj? »wci cvtt' StfsTw, ifin fyf*T^ c^ wn f^fOr^ »rll H9r»f nve vwrsi ^ firfiT^tftci dvf ivi OR, cnt v^rvm? *f’nd5 rv oor ftvf sncin, cvwt3 cvR3 w tffejf^r m 1 cv^i tjiR ult ii«^ ^ci sim ’ovtn m ’Tcvg « c^Otcvtir « wsn c«frr, 41*^ fv ys chcw^ wtni wtn mm stgm rvs cfWs cvt?e mmt r ncv vm ^ttnrsn m ftiT ^n, v«n 1 vnr4 aw^ wm r ,ar v’f^— OrrR vnr tf«R nr mm oro ftcicv iJSicis mc^ ortvR c^ cv*!^ ir^ cm csncs. »nc#*t IrfiCT rr5[ci--cfm n fcfei sc^ Ivcvn oo*r ftcwt est 4v^s m vti^ % cwrcv ^10 srtrcvi sen sf ymn m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20 th Sbw. oiwr srw armed car oMi i ^ w^^Ntc^'Jw ^rfwr c^rm fe«R 4^ ^ 4¥W!rs 4^ c^ 4^ tff%5Tt? wws <tfC?’Ti 4 '>Tt«r 4^ if»r ?nr c^, 4^ c^fT^rs explanation^ if*{* i NN*tr y c*rii?n tfuit^nr i ^ f^fc^ c’fS cr^ — (Pf ypf^ fTC*r*ft9 ^ cHHtcft^ C’T ^PTf TTf’^fS 5't’4 C’fWCf I IVl (TWC^T tftf — ^ ^ ^'®.’*F®fK (71 tP)^ f«rc*R ^1 ? ’*Tti7f^ '^pfpTT ’^nn c^ ^fc?^ f^jf^ 4<icei*i ^ c’fs ?rf? f%f^ ^n cm ^ Mtr^— fV <5 4¥f arm •ri ’i*r5Tt''t ’nft' f^f% — ^f%*i f^nstu^ ^3t^ 5tr5 <<tTC^, criRi84^ ’rni CTT^<3 Zt9 4^ ^PR '^^txPnsppF '<mtii ^ttnr ^ ’rNi sitc^ i Provincial Autonomy^r limitations wtf^, m tpn«t« cmi^i fV^ tf^rPr ^ x?r*ni '^*f ’*^pfCT Pr*jpi (71 (TT^ 5^ ^r^TTr^ to ^f%i ^ f%f^ <i*T5 m cnt cros c^^i — f^T^xtuii (3^rs <ifr^ f^, ^tof ^tr 5171^ 4t ^^sn CTO^ '®rs^: Provincial Autonomyir 4^ f\^ ^fwpt cm ^tm, x#h f^pT CTO I 45— (Ttm^f^ ik w\ ^ mw^ 555, 515:5 ^rT5t:*r5t tr^^^r*r:^ 455 ^ f^dY5 53 *ftfTO «fPFr$ (TR 51 1 fri tf5f5 5lt5 5TO ’^f5i:55 f5TO 4 TO"t5 — t 55'K ^t5 CTO 51 ClT5t5 53 13^ ^rf3:5t^ 5TO1 mf «f5f5 1 45 m w55TTO‘Pi 4Tf^ma fnTO ’rm ^15 c5mi 5Ti7r, C5 TO?? 5f^ ^5??1 TOt C5 TO T5TOt5 5^ CW m 5^5^131 mZW 1»0fC«ni 4frJ ^5 f5C5%?R 45^ 45 TOC» !f5T5 5lT5 m itVf tr^3fl3 5Nl 5^:5 'ifOT (7T^ ^rf^rro-Afl ( 5:55 ^55f^f%5 C5T51 5H1 I ^-rr 45r TpTO ^[515 5ih 51 55^9^ mvs, 5TO 51 5fft 57r5r5 ^ 5rr5T:55 C5t I W 5fd?5 5:5 5r5m3t5 4TO 4TO 15 W5 555tfr5 ^5TC5 5ft5 C55f5, ^T51 ^tW3 '5T5!r*f5 4t ^f3r5rir5 ^TOTlTft CTO 5T5C55 I '>rT5tfl ej 4^ 53t5 '515 IC’55 53TC55 4^^515 '5t^rc5f5 4^ ^5ll1 fwwtil T5C3 45 — 43 53 ^r5TrC55 15^ 4^ 5lt5<3^^ 5TO5 5t1:3 fTO5 155T €t51 ^15^ ? ▼;:?|T55 5CW, fsTO m 5tW- 5n54~-5r-35tf55F5r54 ^JtC55 CTO, 5T^5TT5 5fl50^ C5 ^1 ';|t51 fTOR CFtCl C5i:itr5, C5 TO5C15 ^57 ^5 f41? 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I8AAHANI: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I associate myself with the words of sincere sympathv expressed l)y some of the sjieakers for those 4rho have suffered in life and property as a result of the disturbances between the 16th and 20th of August. I welcome the motiou of no-oou- fidenoe because it has given us 'an opportunity to explode the myths so sedulously broadcast and spread by persons who appear to be aiudouB to make capital out of the xuia^ of our people. im,] MOTIONS OF NO^NFIDENCE. 181 A great deal has been said by Hindu leaders of all |)olitical parties and prominence has been given in the Congress press to the absurd contention that the declaration of the Direct Action Day was sohdy responsible for the happenings in Calcutta on the Kith of August. No houesi man, to which- ever political school of thought he may belong, can deny (hat the witlest publicity was given to the fact that the Direct Actitui Day was declared for (he pur]K)8e of convening peaceful meetings (»f Muslims throughout the length and breadth of India to explain to them the two resolutions passed at Bombay by the Council of the Alblndiu Muslim League. It is notluiig hut a travesty of truth to say (hat thi^ day was dei lared in order to create friction between the two major nations that inhabit i)ur sulMamtinenl. It cannot he denied that the President of the All-India Muslim League and every prominent leader of the organisation throughout India made it clear through appeals and statements (hut Muslims should observe the day as the day of peaceful hartal. It is absurd to suggt‘sl that if the Musluus meant direct action in the literal sense (hey would have .selected a city like (‘alcuttu where they are in a minority of three to oiu' in numbers and from the point of view of intluence ami control iiver the citv, they do not count at all. If Muslims had meant direct action they would have selected better ground to launch it. It has been proved hevond doubt that Muslims throughout Bengal and in India remained peaceful on that day. Sir, soon after the Muslim League declared the Kith of August as a day of hartal for Muslims throughout India it became increasingly clear that hostile organisations and a section of the Calcutta jiress woulil not allow tha day to pass off without resistance in every possible manner to frustrate tlie objects of the hartal. The experience of the past within recent months in ('ah’utta was that every form of coercion and fona* lia<l been employed unhesitatingly almost on ever^V occasion to enforce ItartaU demonstrations and strike on peaceful citiziois and sjjeciully upon the unwilling Muslims. Transport services were j)araly.sed, essential services sufTered, employees of all rank.s and services were prcviuitcd from attemling their w»)rk. Kveii public servants and Ministers were not allowed to attend their (iffiees. The Muslims did not do anything to jeopardise the course of these okservanecs. The meanest intelligence will m»t cr(‘di( Mr. Suhrawardy with the Ljolhurdine.ss of sending away tlie Muslims in their thoiisumls from their homes to attend the fmhlie me«‘ting in the Maidan leaving their women and children to the nuTcy of hhadrohxjf. and their dupes, to he butchered mercilessly in their absence. Had it been suspected tlial smdi trouble was in the offing different arrangements would have been made. Frankly, the Muslims were taken unawares and rrunpletely off tli(‘ii guard, with the result that they had to pay heavily kith iu life and j)njpci(,\. 1 would have moved a vote of censure against Mr Sulirawardv aiul even demanded that he should he tried puhliclv and executed had T l>een con- vinced that Mr, Suhrawardy was aware of wdiat wa** going to befall Muslims on the 16th of August and in spite of it had not taken necessary pri‘cjmtion» to defend them. I congratulate him on the liard and tireless w'ork he did in those terrible days working as many as 18 in 20 hours a dav. This 1 speak from my personal knowledge. It was he who brought the conffagralion under control in 4 days. Bombay with all its prenarations has ixit sueceeded in doing so for almost three weeks. Ahmedahad is another case in point. The power of the press, particularly the Hindu pre*^^, cannot k* ignored and the part it has played in fanning communal bitterness cannot he exaggerated. More than anything else if is the press that T hold «nhstan- fially responsible for the un/ortunate and regrettable hapTMuiing in Calcutta for four days. Dav in and day out truth was converted into fal«eho^>ds and falsehoods into truth. The process has not ceased unfortunately. In the matter of hartal it adopted a most hostile attitnde. The Hindus were pro- ▼ok^ noi to observe the hartal and to suspend their normal activities on the day. It was instilled into the minds of the Hindus that *‘the observance MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20rH SfitT., of the hartal would be repudiation of their cherished political faith*', that “FaJcistan as contemplated by the League, would be a bell not only for the Mindus but also for the Muslims who did not see eye to eye with Mr. Jinnah and the League" and that '‘the hartal was directed against the Congress and not against the Britisli Government and that it was anti-nationaJ and communal". If it was the intention of the Chief Minister or the Ministry or the Muslim League in the province to declare war the Muslims would not have been caught unjirepared and the Chief Minister would not either declare the j»uhlic holiday or release the pre-lteform political prisoners on the 15th of August. lie sought to keep the atmosphere calm and peaceful. But the op])onentH of the League who hud made the preparations clandestinely had decided otherwise and were bent on striking well and hard to instil fright into the hearts of the Muslims throughout the country. I am wondering if hardened by the exj>erience of the l.N.A. and other troubles in w’hich the Muslims held aloof, advantage was taken of the League hartal day to wreak vengeance on them, and to teach them a lesson for all times to come. I may inform the House through vou, Sir, that I am one of those who was (ionstaiitly on the move from the morning ol the Kith until sanity retiirned b«)th to the Muslims and to the Hindus. As early as 7-15 on the Kith morning re))ortH came in from various parts of Calcutta tlrat peaceful Muslims were being atta<'ked. 1 was a witness to the brickbat throwing that took ]da(‘(5 in Corporation Street at 1(1 a.m. on Muslim passers-by from the throe-st(»ried buildings on either side of the street — buildings owned by Hindus. My tour of Cah'utta jiroved to me beyond doubt tliat this brick- bat throwing from house tops that 1 witnessed in rori)oration Street was not an isolated affair, but this method of attack was employed at every point of vantage with such force that some processionists could not get through and had to return or were broken ii]). If. as alleged, Muslim processionists carried wcajams with them much more serious allegations against them would liave resulted when‘as in fact there is no report of r(‘taliation from any (piarter barring t)ne or two. The majority of the wounded and dead that were brought to the hospitals of Calcutta before noon of tin' Kith of August were Muslims. This is not a frivolous statement. It (’an )n‘ chec'ki'd uj) from hospital re('ords despite etVorts made in some hospi- tals to register patent Muslim casualties as Hindu ones. It is also an umiuestionable fact that most of tlie shops and houses that were looted and dwelling ])lac(\s that were burnt till the evening of the 10th August belonged to Muslims. AVhile this attack was being carried out with fury Muslim Leaguers were out calling upon their brothers to remain peaceful, not to retaliate even when provoked but to go to the meeting in the Maidan. It Was only when the bounds of toleration were broken, when reports of large sc ale inunltT and massac're spread to the viahalhs and wards of Calcutta that the Muslims began to defend themselves. Things ^\ould not have come to the dreadful pass they did had the peace juissiou that went out early in the day on the 10th been able to exendse induem^e on the peojde. AVbile the Muslims listened to Mr. Suhrawardy and carriinl (>ut his instnu'tions, the Cougness leader Mr. I). X. Mukherjee was lumted down by bis followers and even threatened with a'isault. I wish he would relate his experience for the benefit of the House. The Hindus cannot with any justification say that they were not protected or were denied the assistance they sought. Muslims on the other hand were most justified in jdeading on- these line^. I was in Lalhazar on the ITth morning and I saw how few Hindus went away without getting what they wanted. Mr. Mohan Lai Rbab will corrolmrate the statement. Mr. Speaker. Sir, it will come as a shock to the House and to the public at large that Mr. Kiran Saukar Roy and Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose decliniM} to join the Chief Minister in taking peace processions round the city till the 20th August. I will not say that they did so out of fear. It mtist however MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIBENCE. l^.] Ut be noted that had these processions gone round, the eamajre on the 17th and ISth would in all probability have been averteil. It was a repetition of the pwlicy adopted by the Congress after the earlier disturbances when Mr, £iran Sankar Roy and his coliegues iu the house of Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose declined to affix their signature to an ap}>eal to the citiiens if there was any signature of a Muslim on the same document. (Mr. Riiuk Sa.nk.ui Roy : That is not true.) Much as I would like to absolve the Commissioner of Tolice from the blame for not having taken, on his own initiative, as he is bound to by virtue of bis office, necessary precautionary measures for the protection of life and property on the Hith of Axigust, I cannot honestly <lo so. The Commissioner of Police should have had before him reports of meetings held, particularly on the Cith, 14th and 15th of August, in various parks and public places, meetings that incited Hindus to action, meetings that told them to prcoarc themselves and show how Pakisthaii ('ould be buried once anil for all It be received such reports and did not act. he ]ni^ failed in his dut^v. If reports were not placed before him, then an immediate inquiry is indicated into the workings of the l.B. Department — a department that is entrusted with the duty of kcHJping the Commissioner fully informed of the aetivities of political, legal and illegal, organisations in the city. If tlu* Commissioui'r tlid not know, then, it is obvious that the Home Minister was kepi equally in the dark of the preimra- tinns and plans of the miscreants, high and low. In the light of this I would like an ex[)lanation from (he Hon’hle (Miief Minister when he replies as to why and how information of the mass murder, loot and arson that Muslims were subjected to in Sovabaazr, Bughba/.ar, ^imtolla, Haikbola, Beadiui Street and a portion of the Sbambazar (li<l not reacli Lalbatsar Control. Can tlie Hon’ble (’hief Minister deny' that In* tvas not aw'are of the happenings in N<»rth (^alcutta until he undertook a tour of the city with the Governor^ What explanation cun he otter for tlu* complete blacking out of these tragic happenings w’here Mussalinuus — men, women and even children— who were in a minority of 5 per I’cnt. to 111 per cent., ami w'ere ciuupletely surrounded bv a iniliiant majority, were mcrcilt*ssly buteheredr Wlien news ('aiiic through, there was nothing to be ilone be<’ause those who were caught were silenced for ever. I will also welcome an explanation from the ITon’lde Cbiel Minister why, tlu* Police on the Ibtli ami 17th August allowed murder ami loot to take place w'itliin (heir sight. How could a well-known Watch ('ompauy within a few yards of the Palbazar police station, have been hmlcd in broad day- light (»ii (he IDh im»rning when hundreds of ])oli(emen were driving in ami <uit of Lalbazar at the time? Sir the enemies (*f Muslims have learnt the art of ]>ropagam]a to perfec- tion. When a deep laid plan fails to frmtify an attitude of injured innocence is exjiected to i»av well. Mr. Dhiren Datta talked of the llipon College incident. Muslim students hoisted tlu* l.eague flag in accordance with the agreement lietween the Hindu ami Muslim ociuipants of the Hostel. The Hindu voung men broke their pledge* and juiUimI down the League flag. An honourable member id this House was present on the occasion. It has also been said that Mr. Suhrawardy jiresided over the Mnidan meeting. Could falsehood be uttered in n more bra/a^n faced luuuuri . Members have pleaded from the Opposition for a Congress-League Coali- tion in Bengal. Xo one would welcome such an arrangement more than 1 but the\ will agree that similar arrangements will have to be made simul- faneously in the other provinces and at the Centre as well. Sir, the sooner intrigue and conspiracy cease the better for us all. Their virus has spread over the whole Wy civic of f^alcutta Members of the medical profession has not remained uncontaminated. Officers of Law and Order have also shown diw-rimination and withheld assistance and protj^ tion The Press and the politicians appear to be determined to down thtt m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Shpt. Muslma. UnleaB- there is change of heart on the part of our opponents things are not likely to improve, A motion of no-confidence is not tiie right remedy. Mr. OHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJl! Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak on this motion of necessity, not by choice. The Chief Minister has mentioned my name and in a light which is but a half-light. I feel myself honour-bound therefore to give you briefly a complete picture of that unfortunate day so far as I saw it. At 9 in the morning, IGth August, I came to learn that hooligans were already abroad, looting shops in Manicktola and Garpar, and it all began in forcing shops to close down for hartal. My leader, Mr. K. 8. Roy, when communicated by me, advised me to contact the Chief Minister. 1 jdioned the Chief Minister and was asked to come without delay. I reached his place at about cjuarter to 10. We discussed the situation and decided to go out to pacify the mob. AW went out in the Chief Minister’s car, driven by himself, and started through Corporation Street. AV’e found there a very large number of Muslim League volunteers, wearing League badges, some in full uniform, some only with green caps with badges on, everyone armed with a lathi of a standard shape and size. As soon as w'e reached them, those volunteers surrounded the car. The Chief Minister told them not to crowd the streets, to get on to the pavement and set about their w(»rk. “ ^ ” AA"e move<l on and met a Hindu crowd near Free School Street headed by Air. J. L. Shaw, the Corporation Councillor, who reported to the Chief Minister that Muslim Tjeague volunteers had been forcibly closing the Hindu shn])s and threatening them. He wanted police protection. The Chief Alinister told him that the police w^ould be coming shortly. AA^e nroceeded through Corporation Street, crossintr A\'ellesley. The gohlsmitliK’ sho|)s were <dosed, and there wa‘» no sign of an\ loot at the* time. At the Moula-Ali corner, we met a large Muslim crowil with League volunteers, all armed with latlu.s and in uniform. AA^e procee<led furthto , and both at Dixon Lane and Serpentine T.ane corners advised group'^ of Hindus cidlected inside to disperse. They told us that League volunteeis armed wdth lathis were threatening them and ])reventing free movement. I actually found on the ('ircular Road, one gentleman’s car held up by League volunteers who on my persuasion allowed it to pass. The Chit'f Minister was also asking the crow’d to be peaceful. We moved on to Sealdah (‘orner and found there a large crowd collected on the Bowbazar Street and another on Circular Road o]>posite Railway vStation. Tlie (''hief Minister first drove the car towards the erow'd on to CiriMilar Road and asked them to disjierse. There were some fruit shops owmed both by Hindps and Afuslims looted by that time, and the people there were in a fighting mood, and this crowd wa'^ a Afiislim crowd. After our approach there was just a lull, but the crowd did not di.sappear as the Chief Minister stated in the Fpper House. We turned tow’ards the Rowbazar Street but could not proceed far, as the other crowd blocked the way. I got down and tried to persuade them to disperse. There was an Assistant Commissioner of Police with a lorry- load of iKilicemen, some of them armed with rifles, but they merely looked on. As the erowd was Jn no mood to listen to him the Chief Minister decided to leave, and while the car was turning back, brickbats were thrown lit it. The picture given by the Chief Minister in the Fpper House about the violent mood of the crowd, has l>een too much overcoloured and had he stayed on, I am sure his courage and sincerity would have been eventually appreciated even by a Hindu mob. I stayed on, tried to pacify the crowd, ma was successful. 194fi.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. m While there, I learnt that some buitef at the corner of Bowbaaar Street and Amherst Street had been set on fire. 1 rushed there, and arranged to bring out the Fire Brigade by using a phone from Bandhab Bastralaya. The police were patrolling the streets but not helping to disperse tlie crowd or stop the fire. At the corner 1 was oersuading a large crowd to disperse; while doing so a police lorry (;ame» and a European officer pointed a gun at me and fired a shot. Immediately the whole crowd melted aw*ay. It was tear gas, and I asked the officer why he tired without warning.' He said he wanted to disnerse the crowd and I pointed out to him that as the <‘rowd was already on the imiiit of dispersing at mv persuasion, the tear gas would only irritate them and might have resulted in a shower of brieknats, and retaliatory shots fired by sergeants. I comfilained tlmt patrol iiolice merely looked on making no attempt to stoji the tire. The officer, Mr. Barnes, a Deputy Commissioner of Ihilice, then left. The altercation witli him gave me an advantage — the police must have thought me a person of importanee. I managed restore peace in the locality atul at 1 o’clock 1 was told there that rioting has broken out at St'alduh cornt^r. I liaslcned to the siwd and found fighting going on between Hindus and Muslims inside Baithakkhana Bazar. I was successful in putting a stop to it. .lust as I caim* out on the Bowbazai Street, 1 tound a wine shop in the Circular lioad*Bow bazar corner ablaze, and both Muslims and policemen in uniform busy taking away the bottles. Some of the bottles 1 found stored in the Ihilice lorry. I caught hold of a policeman carrying away tw<» bottles from tlie shop, and drugged liim before the I’olice Sergeant, hut lU) action was taken and the man ran away. I saw that a ver\ big Muslim pro<essif>n had come to the Seuldub I’orner from the Cpper Circular Hoad side. They were carrying sword, laiJnx, etc., and wanted aggressively to pass through Bow bazar Street. I inove(i towards them and suggested, they might go t(> the Maidun. by continuing through the (’ircular Hoad and Dliaranitallu Street instead of forcing their way tlirough B(»W'huzar. All on a sudden, some of them began to break open the shops cm the Circular Hoad and loot tliein. Some rushed and surrounded me and began to beat im*. One young Muslim, apparently a student, gave me a blow”, deidaring he wimld break my teetli. Another brandished his long knife shouting that he was thirsty for my blood. Further mischief was prevented by siuiic who must have appreciated my motives. .lust then, one (»f the Sergeants who bad Iteen with Mr. BurneH rushed with two armed jjolii'eineii into the crowd and brought me bui’k to comparative safety. Anvw’uy, the processionists cluinged their mind and passed on tlirough Circular Road, as I hatl suggested, instead of trying to for(‘e their way through Bowdiazar. Meaiiwliile, anoflier iinm‘d and a more violent crowd came up from Beliaghifta side and wanted to forr*<‘ their vay through Bowbazar. Ibdicemon, both ordinary and armed, about r»0 in number were there in two lorries under tlie dire«’tion <if Sergeants. I sug- gested to the Sergeants that the two lorries might he pbned hUK-king the entrance to Bowbazar Street, and the pidice slimild fire to prevent tlie clash between the two crow'ds. The Sergeants paid no heed. The Beliiighata crowd looted the aerated-water shop at the corner and began to hurl the bottles and ru,shed in to the Bowbazar Street, and |)nKeeded two to tine© hundred yards. I could not prevent them forcing in, nor r-ould I persuade them to get back. Instead, I got lathi blows on rnv anus. This <Towd %vaa prevented from passing through Bowbazar Street by a shower of brickbats, I learnt that processionists pa.ssiiig through Circular Rood were rushing inside the lanes leading to west, and assaulting the Iwal residents. 1 went round and saw at Dixon liane one gentleman lying dead on the street with his throat ^hed, blood still spouting up. He was a Hindu, who was coming through Circular Road, and had been chased by the goondas. This wat about a hundred ywrds from Circular Road, m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Sept., While standing there I saw the processionists at the junction brandishing ewords, sticks, etc., and challenging the crowd inside the lanes to come out. 1 tound them rushing into the lanes alsoj^ a fighting mood. From there I moved on towards Dharamtalla Street, walking through the lanes, and reached Indian Mirror Street at about 3-dO p.m. There I learnt that already Muslim crowds in procession had been making attempts at Welleslay-end and Corporation Street-end to get inside the Indian lilirror Street. 1 saw the processionists passing through the Corporation Street, shouting slogans, brandishing swords and sticks. The looting of the jewellery and goldsmiths’ shops had started. I rang up Mr. K. S. Roy, informed him ot the situation, suggesting that the Governor should be apprised, section 144 promulgated, and the police instructed to fire on unruly crowds, irrespective of community. Mr. Roy asked me to communicate with the Chief Minister, the Police Commissioner, and the Private Secretary to the Governor, whom lie had already rung up. The first two I could not get; when I informed the Private Secretary and told liim my forebodings that the crowd now going to the Maidun would he looting on their way hac’k, lie nroinised to communic.iie all this to the Governor and said that action would he taken about military help, promulgation of section 144, etc. 1 rang uji also Mr. Gladding, Leader of the Kuroneau Party, and requested him to use hi.s infiuence to bring oul immediately the Military. lie told me that he would also inform the Governor. This was about 4-dO p.ni. The processionists began to return with great ^'hulJa*\ They began to sack every jewellers’ shop on Corporation Street. Three or four times they rushed into Indian Mirror Street, cheeked only by showers (»f hriekhals. They set fire to a shop on the Indian Mirror Street-Corporation Street junction (Puraneliand Avenue). The Fire Brigade was called hut nuld not reach the jdace, prevented hv the hooligans. Tlie disturbance continued np to 2 u.m. increasing in volume. The\ set tire to a three-store ved house at the corner of Corporation Street and Taltala Lane, just opposite Y.M.C.A. Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Mukberji, your time is up. Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJI: Sir, may I have a few luiuutes inore^ Mr. SPEAKER: All you iiiuy have two minutes more. Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJI: The inmates shouted for help. Taltala |H>liee-stutioii, about 2()l) yards off, was informed over the plume, hut no action was taken. The Fire Brigade was called up twice but chased away. Finding the peo]de ahsoluttdy helple.ss we organised a rescue party and tried to reueli the spot. By this time another Fire Brigade came np at our call and emboldened by our support, it could fuuetion this time, and put out the fire. Jhe situation eased a little, so far as attacks went, but the whole locality remained iu-.eeure. Time does not permit, and I must stop. I have given you my own experiences on the 16th only. I will not linger over them nor discu.ss if the Deputy Commissioners of Police in Calcutta were TTindus w Muslims. T will not attempt to argue with our Chief Minister to convince him that a Minister’s, let alone the Chief Minis- ter’s, duty is to see also that they are obeyed, and to make for conditions which favour their being obeyed. As the Chief Mini,ster’s supporters liave pointed out that he ordered firing on the I6th afternoon, I only want to ask mm how many rounds of ammunition were issued on Friday to the armed r lice, and how many of them used on that date by the armed police, who, understand, are about 1,000 in number. 194C.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 137 The motion before us could have been left in cold nejflect if it only related to the past, it might have been considered nothing but a dream. But it is not that. Ever|%p(^t has a future to carry on. The air is still thick with rumours. The atmosphere is still full of distrust. People ask us “What about East Bengal}*'* The want of confidence in the present Ministry has already been declared by tlie closed shops in Mullick Baxar« Park Circus, and Wellesley Street, the furtive looks and hurried steps of tlie few men that walk. The want of confidence has already been recorded silently by the clerk of the times. It now remains for this Legislature to reflect that judgment and to move want (»f coufidciu'e in a Mini.**try which has either wilfully shirked its job (U’ failed to do it through utter inefti- ciency subjecting thousands of Hindus and Muslims to death or deathlike nii.sery, uml dangerously wrecking the ship of State committed to their i'are. I appeal to all ])arties to east their verdiet on the issue whether law and ^ofder failed, uml whether persons responsible for their maintenance did their best. Let not a single member .sit mnitral. With these words, Sir, I press this motmn before the House for adoption. Mr* D* CLADDING: Mr. Speaker, Sir. my''elf and the m»*inbers of my party have listene<l to this debatt‘ with deep s\m])uthv tor the Hindu and Muslim communities and, if 1 may be permitted to ^ay so, with admiration for the general restraint uith which both ha\e s|»'’ken, having suffered, as they did, so terrildv, and being furllienuore aligned in tliis House in opposite parties. Belonging as I do to a community which was inercifull\ spaied, I find that it is almost a presumption tor me to inirude at all, but I speak in the hope that I may he able to say something helpful. Ibiblie opinion. Sir, as soon as it could make itmdf heard aft(*r the war between tin* two eommunitieh which broke out on August the Ifith, iinmc* <liately demanded a public ciujuirv into the whole matter by a disinterested judi<*ial body. f*ongress leaders joined iti tins demand and the Chief Ministei, inimediat(dy a.ssociatiug himself with it, promised that such an eiKjuirs would be instituted. A highranking judicial commission lias since been appointed and is about to begin its work, 'fliis w'us eminently (he correct course. The charges and <*oun(er-eharge.s that will havi* to !>e investigated are so very grave, and so wrappeil up with polities, tliat public ^'pinion would be eontmit with nothing less than a jmlii ial (MOjuiiy outside the rang^e of ])olities. Apart from this a judicial emjuirv is less likely to revive ill-feeling than an en<|uirv in an\ other fonim. Tlie ia«d that this enquiry is coming has, T think, undoubtedly eased the teiisinn that might otherwi.se have characterised tin*, debate. Mv |iart\, Sii, goes a step further and thinks that, in view of this imjieiiding^ empiirv, it is [irenmture, if not actually useless, to subject the matter to (he arliitranient of a vote in Ihi.s House: which vote, after all. would, as ur all know, provi* nothing except the mathematical alignment of the two main jiarties which is already public knowledge. Xobody here knows all the facts or is in a position to s:»v wdiere the trulli lies. On one of the issues, whi<di T may call the impersonal issue whether the Administration did all it should have done to prevent the catastrophe; and all that it should ha\(‘ done to check its growth, mv party s«*e reason, prirrut facie, to doubt wlmtloo it did. But because this Commission has been set up, we hold that the proper eourse, both logicallr^and in the intere.st of peace, is for everybody to suspend judgment on this and all otlier issues until its findings are available; and this, Sir, is the course which we propose to adopt. But what an anxious public does look for in this debate — an anxious public not merely in Calcutta hut throughout the towns and villages in Bengal-~is assurance for the future; assurance of peace between the two communities; of action to produce it, and of action to maintain it. Peace Committees have already b^n doing their admirable work. To supplement m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20rH Sbpt., thifi, in the Bphere of law amd order, the Amed Police in Calcutta and of the Province ehould immediately be brought far above the inadequate Htreiigth at which they Btood a month ago. In* addition to this, learning the lessons of a month ago, Government should give assurances that in future military help will be called upon more timely than, if I may say so. it appears to have been called upon a month ago. It should be remembered that the Military have to be called in before they can function; no blame attaches to them if they are not called upon early enough. It was the men of Indian and British Regiments after they had been called in who saved the situation. I'he task that fell to them was outside the normal duty of soldiers and repugnant to their feelings. We acknowledge on behalf of the city the debt which we owe to them. The Chief Minister must indeed have thanked God for their presence, when he stood in his terrible predi- cament. In the field of politics what public opinion immediately demanded was that the model of the Peace Committees should be copied in Government itbelf by the formation of a Cabinet embracing the Hindu and Muslim parties. Here again we agree with public opinion, and think that it should have been acted upon immediately. We favoured a Coalition when this Ministry was being formed, because we thought that a Coalition would be able, better than any other Government, to advance the welfare of the province, to frame and carry out a plan of Post-W’^ar Reconstruction and to compel the Centre to give the Province the fair financial deal that it has not yet seen. To those reasons is now added the (certainty that a Coalition Government, better than anything else, would allay the present fears of the people and constitute an insurance against a recurrence of trouble. In terms of Bengal alone, under the .sliock of the recent calamity there i.s, I feel sure, sufficient willingness to bring this about; but the Chief Minister tells us that politns outside this province constitute an obstacle. If this is so, we greatly deplore it and sincerely hope that the endeavours to remove that obstacle w’hich are now in progress will be crowned with success. It seems to us that a prosperous and [»euceful administration of this province (I refer not merely to the Government hut also to the services) will never emerge so long as the two leading (umimuuities remain in opposite camps. We pray for u consummation whieh will bring them together, and we trust that the Chief Minister, when he conies to take part in this debate, will give us more prounds for hope than he appears to have done in the Upper House. None better than he knows that I speak the truth. The responsibility that lies upon him in this connection is both heavy and glorious. 1 cannot sit down. Sir. without referring to two calumnies against my own countrymen that have fallen from the lips of a few previous speakers — a few only, I am glad to say. One of them was to the effect that the Cabinet Mission came out with (he deliberate intention of creating a quarrel between HindUvS and Muslims, so that, instead of India gaining her freedom, England might maintain her domination over this country. Whatever grievance the Ta'ugue may have about the way in w^hich the negotiations went, they should in fairness abstain from such gross perversion of the truth. I thought that, if one thing had been made clear beyond doubt, it was the hona fides of His Majesty’s Government and its good will indiscri- minately toward both communities. The other allegation was that the members of my community in Caleutta chuckled over the horrors of last month because they did not want Indians to get self-government and because they thought that here vwas proof that they would never get it. Speaking for mvself, and for all other members of my party, and for every European outsirfe the Party whose confidence I enjoy, I deny this charge on my word of honour. The truth is precisely the opposite. Dr. IYAMAPRA8AD MOOKEMEE: Mr. Speaker, Sir, since jrester- day we have been discussing the motions of no-confidence under circum- •tanoos which perhaps have no parallel in the deliberations ol any legialatnrs 1946.1 MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 139 in any jjart of the civilised world. What hapi)ened in Calcutta is without a parallel in modem history. St. Bartholomew's Day of which history records some jrrim events of murder and butchery pales into insignificance compared to the brutalities that were committed in the streets, lanes and bye-lanes of this first city oi British India. We have lieen discussing, Sir, as to the genesis of these disturbauees. Time will not iwrmit me to go through the detailed history and course of events during the last few years. But let me say this that what has hap|amed is not the result of a sudden explosion, but it is the culiliiuution of an administration, inefiicieiit, corrupt and communal, whicli has disfigured the life of this grt»at pn»vinre. But so far as the immediate cause is concerned, rightly reference has been made by members lielouging to the Muslim Iii*ague and also to the Opposition that we have to look to the resolution that wai 1 Kissed at Bombay at the ult> India session of the ('ouncil of the Muslim ^eague. Now what hap]>ened thereh* It is suiil, on l>ehalf of the Muslim lieague that the Cabinet Mission proveil faithless to Muslim inten^sts and thereby created a situation which hud had no parallel in tlie history of Anglo-Muslim relationsliip in this country. What did actually the Cabinet Mission do^ The Muslim lieague, the s|uult and ])ampere<l child of the British imperialists for the last thirty >eurs, was disowneil for the first time bv the British l.abour (lovernmeiit (loud noise Irom the (iovernnieut benches)...! know it that memhers, when tiie\ hear the bitter trutli, can luirdly rejiress their fetdings. Sir, the fai t remains that the old poHey of the British (tovernment of no mlvaneeinent without a ('ongress-Muslim League agreement was for the first time given up in B>4(). ..(loud cries from the (ioverninent beiudies) 1 have only stated the fact and I do not make any ciunment on it and still m\ friends become impatient immediately. Now, the fact remains that the Muslim Leugin* was b> -passed and the Interim (TO\erumeiit has been formeil at the Centre. Snpjiosing Mr. Jinnob had lH*en lisked to form the Interim (fovernnienl without the Congress, would my friends belonging to the Muslim Leagm* have tlien lilamed the (iovern- inent lor having betrayed the interests ot the Hindu community ^ 8ir, what happened alter the Homha\ resolution!^ I have* before me a summary of the speeches delivered b\ distinguished sjiokesmen on liehalf of tiie Muslim League in every part of India and although it was said that the Direct Action Duv itself was not tlu* day for I’omineneing diieet action, it was at file same tune }K>inte»l out that the war had begun, the days of pear^e and comiiroiuise were over and now* the jcluul . <A mkmhku kuom Tifh (iovKRNMKNT HKNCiiKs ; Again^t whom!'; War against everyone who did not accept Pakistan. That has lieeii made almnduntly < lear. 1 would ask iny friemls not to miHunderstand me. 1 am frying (o jHii in brief their ]H)int ot view* a.s I would ask them also to appreciuti* our point of view. We are like poles asunder. You say vou will jilunge the country into civil war if you no not get Pukisthau and we say you shall not get Pakistan by any means whatsoever. These two points of view' are irrecon- cilable and what I am now telling the Hou.se is this that the memlM^rH speak- ing on behalf of the Muslim la^ague did not mince matters, Muslim leaders want civil war. Only a pattern of civil war, according to Mr. Jinuuh, was witnes.sed in this very city of Calcutta, but wlietlier l ivil war wdil ultimately help Muslims to get Pakisthan or not is a mutter that remains yet to \ye seen. It is said that British Imperialists are against the Muslim Ijeague. Why talk rot in this wayy Who gave you separate electorate and communal award. Who is heljdng the Sind Ministry to remain in power J' Is not the (iovernor a British (fovernor? Are not the three European members of the Sind Assembly British ineniberB of that Houee? Are they not trying their level Wst somehow' to keep the Muslim League in jmwer and not allow’ the Congress to go to office altliough among the Indian members they are in a majority. Now, Sir, I shall leave this aside. I shall not refer to the detailed speechee which hare been delivered by the Muslim League leaden baning 140 MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Sispt.5 one or two illustrative remarks. When Mr. Jinnah was confronted at a press conference in BomW asked whether direct action involved violence or non-violence, his cryptic reply was “I am not ^ing to discuss ethics'’. (The Ilon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali: Good.) But Khwaja Nazimuddin was not so good. He came out very bluntly in Bengal and he said that Muslims did not believe in non-violence at all, Muslims knew what direct action meant and there were one hundred and one ways in which direct actipn could be achieved in this province. Now, Sir, speeches like this were made by responsible League leaders. One said in the Punjab that the zero hour had struck and that the war had begun. All this was followed by a senes of articles and statements which appeared in the columns of newspapers — the Morning News^ the Star of India and the Azuil. If you read those documents, particularly I would ask my friend Mr. Ispahan!, if he reads those documents, 1 do not know wliether he has leanit Bengali yet, if not, for his benefit a translation can be made of the Bengali articles in the Aznd he will be able to find out that there was nothing but open and direct incitement to violence. Hatred of Hindus and jehad on the Hindus W'ere declared in fire-eating language. That was the background. I am not going to quote the papers, for I have not the time. You have read them and the general Muslim public have acted ac4-ording to the instructions. Now, HO far as the later events are eoneerned, what happen(‘(l on the KHh? What were the preparations made? Mr. Ispahani says that they were tahen unawares. In the Moruing Seu\< on the Kith there appeared an announcement on behalf ot the Pakisthan Ambulance (\)ri)H and there full instructions were given a.s to how the Ambulance ('orps was to act — mind you, Sir, this was dom* before the troubles started. This Paki.sthan Ambulance (’orps was to be utilised in different pjirts of the (‘ity, they were to go out in Imtciies, cars and ofheers would he available and from the ITth morning announcement was to be made ever\ hour as regards the natients which W’cre to be found in the different hospitals of (’alcutta. This was announced Iwfore any trouhle started in (alcutta and Mr. Ispahani says there was no preparation. Of eourse, it was by the sheerest bud luek that you allowed the notiee of this one among many kinds of preparation to be published in the newspapers. No>v, Sir, what hajipened on the Klthy I shall not refer to the detailed speeehes of other memhers, but I shall eertainly hold responsible the Chief Minister of this provinee w'h<» so lost his mental balance as to have made that statement from U(uubu\ saying that he was going to declare Bengal to be an inde])endeut State. A Minister who cannot control his British under- ling — the ('ommissioner of Ihdiee — is going to make Bengal an independent State! A Minister wh<» «*oines forward and says “I am helpless, I could not save the ]>eople of the city because the Commissioner of Police would not lisUm to me” will declare Bengal an independent State! Now, that was Mr. Suhrnwurdy. He said he was going to carry on a no-rent campaign in this province. lie was going to disobey law and order. His speech before the liegislalive Council gtK*8 to show that he knew fully w^ell that troubles were anead. If you analyse his speech it will appear that he knew that troubles were bn*wing and he said he wanted to be as careful as possible. I am not raising the question in this debate as to how many Hindus were butchered and how’ many Muslims were butchered. Bhawanipore, Taltolla or Wat^unge is not the main question in issue. The question in issue today is, did Government succeed in protecting life and property, no matter to which community that life and property belonged? Why did Gov- ernment allow so many Muslim lives to be butchered if you look upon Mr. Suhraw^ardy as the great Muslim champion? Why did fie allow the entire administration of law and order to collapse in the city? I shall sav. Sir, it was a diabolical plan. I say. Sir, there was a well-organised plan that there was goinj^ to be a blit* attack on the city and Hindus were going to be taken by surprise, properties were going to be looted and lives were going to be lost. Then Mr. Buhrawardy found that he was caught in his own trap. im.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE, 141 when he and others were hit back in their own coin he could not regain hie lost ground and failed to do what his Muslim brethren asked him to do ia agony and distress. On the 16th, our case is that provocation came from thft other side, their case is that provocation came from the Hindu side. That also I am not going to discuss today. Let us leave that for the time being, but let us }>roceed to the next stage. Mr. Suhrawurdy said, by lii noon he realised the situation was very had. Was he not still the Chief Minister of llengalr' What did he do at that tim©)^ Why was not the military called out at that time?' I have got here a circular issued by the military for the information ol its otlicers and employees in which clear information is given that the military was ready to come out on Friday noon but it was not asked to do so. Tlie I'ivil police failed to protect the life and property as it wUvS expected to do and whenever the military was asked to come out, it came out and it did whatever it could do. Hut, alas, thousands had been killed meanwhile and crores of rupees looted! On Friday Mr. Suhrawardy knew that trouble had broken out — no matter whether the Hindus were the aggressors or tlie Muslims were the aggressors. Why did he not immediately proelaim section \‘\AY Why did he allow the whole ( ity to lie jdueed at the inerey of goondas, daeoits and imirderersy Why did he allow the meeting at all to be held at the maitlan in the afternoon over wdiieh he presided?’ He stands charged with the deli- berate otlence of having jjluyetl havoc with the life and iiroperty of the citizerih of this j^reat city, no matter wdiether they were lliiKius or they were Muslims. Oil Friilay night he gives a message to the Assoidiited Press that the condition in the city had improved. Does he remember it?' It seems be has forgotten it. He is looking like an innocent idiild. 1 have got here the Assoeiat(‘d Pre.ss news from the next day’s newspapers. 1 would ask my friends to forget for the time being that tlu‘y belong to the Muslim l^eague. On Friday night the Cliief Minister announeed . The Hon*ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: MeV Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Ves. The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: No, no. Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERilEE: li Mr. Suhrawurdy says here, Sir, is the statement of Mr. H. S. Suhrawurdy, Chief Minister of Bengal — 1 suppose that is the gentleumn sitting over there (liaugbter) interviewed by the A.ssociated Press <d India to the eheet that the xltuation irdu improving. (TTproar.) (A voick i'rom Tin- Ooveknmk.nt iiKNcirKS ; What papery) Every newsjiaper. (Kenewed uproar.) I w^ould ask my friends that they must observe the rules of the game and fairplay even in a discu.ssion like this. Why don't you ask the Chief Minister to exjilain this?* Mr. FAZtUR RAHMAN: On ,a point of order, Sir, tlo*se papers must be submitted to you for perusal by members. know that this is no point of order. or. SY AM APR ASAD MOOKERJEE: Mr. Fu/lur Kahman should Mr. FAZLUR RAHMAN: Yes, it is a point of order. A member caunott read from a document in this^House and if he uses it he must submit it to you for perusal by the members. Dr. 8Y AM APR ASAD M00KER4EE: Mr. S{ leaker, you can certainly look into it. I am not afraid of the truth. Now, Sir, section 144 is supposed to have been promulgated on Friday hut never enforced . Mr. SPEAKER: You have to produce the pafier, Dr. Mookerjee. Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Yes, Sir. (Sent the paper to Mr. Speaker.) I tan produce it to anyone who wants to see it. m MOTIONS OF NO^ONFIDENCB, [20th Sept., Then on Saturday the curfew order was inai^rated, but neither section 144 nor the curfew order was enforced. How is it that in spite of section 144 and the curfew order people were moving about committing loot and plunder and murder eveni'' ilow is it that within a stone’s throw, ae Mr. Ispahan! has pointed out, from Lalbazar police-station shops were looted, people were murdered and all sorts of offence were committed without the police moving an inch? TN HOfi’ble Mr« Ht 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Am I responsible for that? Or. SYAMAPRA8AD MOOKERdEE: Of course, you are responsible. If you have got the guts to say that you are not responsible, let us know that. Now, Sir, that was on the 16th and 17th August. liUter on what iiai)pened? Mr. Suhrawardy know's it very well that he was speaking with a doui)le face. On the 2^1rd he issued a broadcast message, a message of peace, for the people of llengal and w'ithin half an hour of that he sent out a special message for foreign press through foreign correspondents and the tningH which are mentioned in that document are entirely different from the broadcast message which he issued to the people of Jlengal. (.’an he deny that? (A VOK’K FltOM IllK (ioVERNMENT UEM'IIKS : That is obvious.) He has stated that the Hindus have started the riot. (The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. Sfhraw AHDY ; Certainly.) He has said that it is the Hindus, w’ho are to blame. He said it was the British Ooverninent which was to blame. Say “certainly” (laughter) and, lastly, he said that he cannot yet tell what w^ill hapiM ‘11 in future if the Interim (iovernment continues in office. N(>w’, Sir, if til at is the remark which he wanted to make on tiiat day what w’us the use of his apjieuliug to the people of Bengal lor peace and harmony and saying “I have kept an open mind and I would like Hindus and Muslims to work together”, ('an history give us a better example of a double-laced Minister? Sir, there are two matters here w'hi(‘h may be mentioned. Mr. Suhrawardy «aid that he could not control the (./ominissioner of INilice because he was not under his order. I shall give you, Sir, one instance out of many wbicdi are available from w'hich it will appear how Mr. Suhrnwarfly interfered w'ith the administration of the police offices in a manner which was unworthy of any Home Minister ot any province. In the Park Street police-station about seven yotmtias w'ere taken by a European Inspector on Sunday evening. The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: I am sorry, but you are a goondii then. Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Sir, that is the remark which Mr. Suhrawardy has made, uumely, “I am sorry you are a yoonda then”. The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY; Sir, I resent very much that any Muslim gentleman should be characterised as a yoonda. Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: I do not know who they are. These persons were found with looted properties. If Mr. Suhrawardy says that Muslim geutleinen took awoy looted properties I shall how down my head to him, but if he says tliat 1 am a goonaa then 1 too can say that he is the hest yoonda that is available not only in this province but throughout the world. (Uproar.) Mr. SPEAKER: Dr. Mm^kerjee, that is not a very deairable expresaion in respect of an honourable member of this House. Or. SYAMapRASAO MOOKfRJEE: Sir. I shall withdraw it as soon as Mr. ^hrawardy withdraws what he has said about me. (Cries of “withdraw, withdraw’^ from the Gbremment Imches.) Bet him withdraw Erst what he haa said about me. MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 14S 1946:] TiM Hon^Me Mr. H. 8. SUMRAWARDY: It i» ([uite tru^ that 1 can never thitlk of Dr, Syaniaprasad Mookerjee as a tjovnda ami I certaittly withdraw that remark. Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: I withdraw too. Now\ Sir, let* me pas.s on. So far as the** Park Street incident is concerned, the important j>oint is tliut goondas or gentlemen whoever they were, seven Muslims wto were found in possession of looted properties were brought into Park Street police-station by a Inspeitor. Within ten minutes Mr. H. S. Suhraw’ardv appears on the sct*ne. He geiN the^ic pi'rsons released. It is on record. Let him deny that. iThe Hon'ble Mr. 11. S. St hkau ardy : Ye8.) ((Vies of “shame, sliuim*’* from Congres** bmiche**.) Tlien he comes back and c]iarg<*8 the police otliccr for stealing a basket ol eggs! (The Hon’ble Mr. H. S, Si iiR \w vHi)\ ; Oh! no.) 'Ihi- is the way. Sir, in which Mr. Suhrawardy lias behaved. 'Phis is one instance I am giving. (Cries of “you have eookevl It” from (bnernment Inmehes.i N(», 1 liave not cooked it. He has admitted it. Then, Sir, the Mnslim Leagm‘ pail\ wanted bOII gallons ot jietnd from the Heiigal (io\ eminent. That was not granted, hut petrol coupons W'ere issued in the name of individual Ministers — general coupons, -100 gallons being issued in the name of the Chief Minister. Evidence is available that these coupons were used hy lorries moving in the streets of Culeutia on those fateful day.s. That i> how arrangemeuts were being made under the very no.sc of the Home Department ov<*r whi<h Mr. Snhrawardy was presiding. Can Mr. Suhrawardv deny that be himself went to Howrah accompanied by some Muslim League leaders, met local olhccis m aiit!iont\ there, and had elia.stised and taken them to task lieeause Muslims were not protected there 1^ Can he ibrny thaty Did Mr. Snhrawardy give in any place or at any time the same sort of protection to the suhenng flindiis;'" (The llon’ble Mr. H. S. SniH ■ < \*rtainl\ .) Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: You have allowed. Sir, 1(1 or lo minutes to other members, but how is i( that you have allowed Dr. Mookei'iec* to sja»ak so long. He is not the Li*ader of the Opposition, (('lies of “Ha. ha” iroin (Nnigress benches.) Mr, SPEAKER: Mr Chaudhnry, pli*aso do not waste tlie time of the House in this way. Dr. 8YAMAPRASAD MOOKERJEE: Now, Sit. it is ouite dear that at least I have said some home truths whi<*h liava* made my friends opposite angry and impatient. The Hon’Ifte Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: They are not truths at all Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Sir, my point is that it is not a Hindu-Muslim question. The real trouble is that today Mr. Suliraw'urdy and the gentlemen \vho are with him are jilaying a most dangerous game. Tliey are, in fact, playing a dual role. The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: You are Dr. 8YAMAPRASAD MOOKERJEE: Sir, they, these Ministers, have taken oath of allegiance to the Hritish (hown and thf-y are responsible for the life and property of all alike. My friend. Mr. Mohammed AH, admitted this very candidly when the adjournment motion was not allowed to be taken up in this Hon.se, Mr. Snhrawardy is a great Muslim loader and he owes his allegiance to the Muslim Ii«*ague. The Muslim Ijcague, rightly or wrongly ordered that if something does not happen to its liking, it wa.s going to resort to dire<*t action. O^e ( aiinoi serve two rnasb'rs. Sir, it has l>een pn)ved beyond doubt that Mr. Snhrawardy and his other Ministers are unable to administer the affairs of this Province impartially and efficiently. They have failed hopeletialy and wretchedly and on that ground alone they are not fit to occupy offices for a single moment. (Interruptiona.) 10 tu MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Skw.^ Mr. iPEAKERt Order, order. Of. SYAMAPRA8AD MOOKEMtEs Sir, it is not in Calcutta alone that atrocities were committed in a largo scale, but we find that troubles are spreading now in the whole of Benzai. The information w^hich is coming from diifereiit parts of Bengal would make one shudder to think as to w^hat will happen to this Province. These gentlemen, the Ministers over there, should not remain in charge of the alfairs of this Province even a day longer. (Intemiptions.) If they remain in office the future will be still darker. (InterniplionH.) The (Council of Action of the All-India Muslim League bus ordered that i)rej)urations Jiave to be made for giving effect to the Direct Action programme. Already Muslim League leaders from the Punjab, North-West Frontier Province and also Sind have openly declared that they are ready with tlieir scheme which can be put into operation at 24 hours’ noth'c. Am 1 to kdievo that the Muslim licague in Bengal which is a strong- hold of Mr. Jinnah’s Muslim League is not similarly prepared to give effect to the order of the Muslim lieague when the occasion demands it? In other words, my charge is that the present Ministry is utilizing the (Governmental machinery for the ]>urpose of launciiing upon a Direct Action scheme. (The Hon'hle Mr. H. S. Suiiuawaudy : No, no.) The ccn«e()uence will be far more serious than the brutal scenes we have already witne8.sed in the fctreets of (!alcutla. (The Hon’ble Mr. 11. S. Si’Hkawardy .* No. nri.) Mr. Suhrawardy is playing a dual role and this dual role of Mr. Suhrawardy and those who are supporting him has got to be exposed and brought to an end in tin* interest of peaee and tranquillily. Why does not the Chiet Minister get the reports of the Commissioner of Police through the ('riiuinul Investigation Department as regards some meetings which took i)lace in the city? Mr. Suhrawardy has })eihai)s got the proceedings confiibmtially of the meetings which were he’d in tlie city where League leaders were invited to aiteml l<»r tlie jmrjio^e ot jnejiaring a scheme tor direct action. It he has got any report about what liappeiied (HI till* Kith, lie will find that (*ven when tlu* Calcutta Maidan meeting was being held, over which Mr. Suhrawardv jiresided, disturbances had broken out iu se\eral (daces. .Now what happened in that meeting? Was there any (\ 1. D. otlicer present t-akiiig down notes? Where are those notes? Sir, it was an astonishing tact that a gun ^liop witliiii 2 miuite.s' walk from the (iovernmeut House had lieeii looted. Not a single iiolicenian turned up in the streets to ('oiitrol the situation in any part of the city. It will not lielp merely making the ('oniniissioiier of Pidice a srape-goa^ It is suggested the city hud been aldaze in many places that the Couimis- sioner of Police did not knpw how to act. But surely Mr. Suhrawardy knew how’ and wdieu to act. (The llon’ble Mr. H*. S., Snin \w vrjiy^ “Ye«, yes”). Mr. Suhrawardy says that he knew’ and we also know’ when be acted. If be had failed without making any effort, then he is charged with criminal negligence and if he failed in spite of efforts, he is certainly inefficiept and worthless and he should not be kept in tliat position any longer. There is no p’ace for him in the Ministry. Sir, there is one point which 1 w’ould like to say with regard to the Britishers in this House. My friends are remaining neutral. 1 cannot understand this attitude at all. In a situation such as this they must say if the Ministry w’a.s right or the Ministry was wrong. If the Ministry was right, support them and if tW Minivstry was wrong, you should say so toldly and not remain neutj*al.*^ Merely sitting on the fence shows sign's of abject impotence. (Laughter.) My friend. Mr. Olatlding. said tlmt luckily none of bis jieople was injured. It is true, Sir, nut that is a statement which makes me extremely sorry. If a single Britisher, man, or woman or a child, had been stmei they would have throwrn this Ministry out of office without hesitation hut because nU Britisher was touched, they can take an impartial and i^utral ▼iew I Are they so sure they will be left untouched next timef There is no MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. H5 1M6,] question of partiality or impaftiality here. The preaent administration has tailed and it must eome to an end. Anyone who remains neutral is an aider and abettor. Tlw Hon*ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Then why did the Congress ask them to remain neutral during the Constituent Assembly electionsy Dr. 8YAMAPRA8A0 MOOKERJEE: That is a different |>oint altogether. 1 would ask my friends, what al>out the future. Pakistan will not be aerepted under ;m\ ein umstaiHe. (Mr. KaHMAN : It will l>e accepted.) Mr. Suhrawurdy said in llomhay after the IGth of August “When a nation fights again.st am»ther nation I cannot guarantee civilized conduct”. If you are a nation fighting against us, another nation, if that is the attitude ot my friends on the other side, then they cannot remain in <»ffiee anv longer. (Cries of “Hear, hear” fnun the Opposition llemhes.) Mr. Suliruwurdy must realise that his office is meant for the good of the entire people ot Hengal irrespective of caste, creed and religion, and not for his own so-called nation. I would say, Sir, (liat is an abject treachery to the great responsibility that rests on Mr. Suhrawanly. a$ Premier. (Interruptions.) Mr. 8PEAKER: Order order. Dr. M oi»kerjee. your time is up. Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: May 1 have two minutes more? I would say this very sciiously Ix^fore I eonrlud«‘ that Dr. A. M. MALIK: i Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: A]>paretit!y I said many thing**: (»therwise my frielHl^ would not he so jubilant. 'I’ln* Miuiltott was ilaneing the «ither <lay on the polished flocu ni a Delhi Hotel and 1 bll% made iii\ Inends daiiee on the floor of this House. I will ii(»w say a ftW words ill e(UirieetH*n with (In* fuluie. What about (be tutuier' My triends, the Muslims, say Ibal thej' constitute per cent, oi I ml in’s piipuluiion, and that is so big a mitiorit\ tliat they will never agree to live under Hindu dony nation. Now it that is their honest and geiiuim* point ot view how can they expect that 4b |>er cent of the Hindu pr»pulation of this Provini'c wdll ever agree to live undei a eon.stituiion wheie that pailieuiar nutioTi representtsd by Muslim.s, constituting only .>4 p(‘r cent., will alom* dominate? (The llon’ble Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed: That is how the tnudde began. ^ I will not today enter into controversies as regards the real ^lopula- iion of Bengal. 1 claim it that if a firojuT rmisus is taken even (<>-day the Hindus will not be in a minoritv. That quest ion (auuiot be set Heel |lw argument from one side or the other. My Muslim frieud.s who are well- organiseil under the banner of the Muslim ianigue have gut to realise that if Bengal is to be ruied petteefuliy it can be done only with the willing co-operation of the two eoinmunitie.s. 1 lun not talking of al!-ltidia politics for the time being. (The ITon’ble Mr. SnAMSDDDr.N Ahmkd : Why not? What has happened to all-India polities?) I would make this anpeal to my friends that a choice has to 1m* made by the Hindus ami the Muslims together. There is no way out of it because what we wiine.sseil in (hilcttita was not an ordinary communal riot: its motive was po’.iticul, but things may lM*come even far more serious and drastic in the days, weeks^ iind months to come. Now, if the Muslims of Bengal under the lemlership of the Muslim licague fee! that they can exterminato the Hindus, that is a fantastic idea wtich can never be given effact to; three and a half crores can never exterminate three crores nor can three crores exterminate three and a half crores — ^ (At this stage the red light was again on.) Mr. 8PEAKER: For three times I have given you extra time. II#. 8YAMAPRA8AO ffffOOKER^EE: But 1 have been intemipied four 146 MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE, [20th Sbpt., Xow, Sir, if it is said that civil war will break out throughout India, will that help anyone, will that help, in particular, 25 per cent. Muslims throughout India as against 75 per cent, of Hindus and other non-Muslims? It is not a question of threat at all ; it is a question of facing a stern reality. Either we have to fight or we have to come to some settlement. That settlement cannot be reacdied so long a.s you say that one community will dominate over the other, but it can only be reached by a plan which will enable the vast majority of Hindus and Muslims to live under circumstances which will give freedom and peace to the common man. After all, forget not wli(» Huft'ercfl most during the (!alcutta Killing. It was mainly the i)oorer people, ))olh amongst the Hindus and the Muslims, Ninety per cent, of them were p(»f)r afid innocent and if the leaders lose tlieir heads and go on creating a situation which they cannot ultimately control, the time will soon come when the common man will turn round and crush the leaders instead ol heiTig themselves crushed. It is therefore vitally’ necessary that this false and foolish idea of Pakistan or rslami<- rule lias to be banished for ev(‘r Irom your head. In Hengal we have got to live together. We say as a jiiomlition f)r(‘cedent this Ministry must go. Only then can we create a state of affairs wliieli will make it p(»ssihie to huild a future Bengal which will he for the good of all, irrespective of atiy caste, creed or community, Mr. A. K. FAZLUt HUQ: Mr. Speaker, it has been my lot during my parliamentary (‘areer— longer perhaps than thiit of any other Indian now living — to he faced with awkward political situations t)ut I confe.ss that 1 have never felt s(» emharrussed as 1 do at the present moment in rising to say a few words on the motions before the IHuise. Sir, for more than three ywirs and a half I have been closely associated with the Opposition. To-day I am in the thick of the great phalanx on which the Ministers rely for supjKirt and even for self-preservation. But this is only the objective aspect of the question. There arc other things. Sir. iar more important and far more embarrassing. Sir, during the dark day.s or nights of the Great Killing I w'atched events from the imint of view of a member of the Opposition. The news that wime to me trickling dow'ii from various sourcevS w'as unfavourable to the Ministers in power. 1 w’as very deeply impressed wdth the fact* that during the wdiole of tliese 4listurlmnces llip machinery of Government had oompletelv broken down in this city. Sir. I j>ondered deeply over the oituutiou, and if 1 have risen to say a few w’onis on these motions I wish to tell my cMunrades in this Assembly wdiat 1 feel very strongly and which I think ought to he raised before the people of Bengal, if Bengal is to be saved at all from utter extermination. There have been Hmdu-Muslim quarrels in the pt\st all over India. In many of these quarrels when oases had been started I had tlie privilege of tlefending the Muslim accused almost all over the cxiuntry. But, Sir, I have never in the whole course of my life seen anything like the purely fiendish fury wdtli w'hich both Hindus and Muslims have murdered not merely men or women but even small children. I do not know to .s^itisfy what impulse, — human or devilish, — which seems to have jxissessed the Bengalees for those fateful days and nights tliat my countrymen indulged. Sir, HO far as the Ministers are concerned, I am going to obey the Party mandate and I will cast my votes against the motions before the Honse. But that is only because I feel coostitutionally that we cannot, when a motion like this is tabld^, leave the Ministers of our choice to the tender mercies of the Opposition. But if that is so as regards the Ministers, the guwdians of kw and order who control the police force in Calcutta can claim no protection from us. Sir, I will not take much time of the House, but I will refer to a few instances .which have been an e;^e-opener to me. I have felt t^t the greatest disturbances did not rise m a moment out of the moon hni seem to 1W6.} MigaOm OF NO-CONFIBENOE. 147 be tbe result of a weU-planned action — may be on one side or may be on both sides. I do not know-^Qod alone knows. The future alone will die* close what is the truth. Sir, on Friday morning I receive<l telephone messages from various parts of the dty from both Hindus and Muslims tliot troubles hod broken out. I thought it was one of those unfortunate affairs which have shown to the world that although the Bengalees or Indians generally ore amongst the most intellectual races of the world, they do not know the virtue of toleration. But, then the situation worsened gniduolly. I advised those who were telephoning to me, to seek [Kdiee protection. It wos then I oome to know that the police were being appealed to and in some cases the police said that they had received no onlers. Wonder of wonders ! What are the police here for, what are they being paid tor, if tliey do not know that when* ever ihere is «i disturbance of the puhlie peace and tram)uillity, their first duty is to jump into the situation, it neces.siry, aiul to defand public peatMi and tranquillity with their lives Then, Sir, in the afternoon of that ilay tlie Mallick • Bauar was looted. It is within about half a mile of my house. 1 was then standing on the verandiih and 1 foiiml people in great glee and merriment rushing all sides with booty in their hands and police paharntralds uecompanying them, pjveryone was very happ> if they were members ol a marriage procession! Then, Sir, that night the l*ark (hrcus market was looted. 1 sent one of my nephews and Mr. Khairul Aivam, Kditor of iiie “Mohammadi , to the Park Circus outjKi.st. Will tlie lIou.se be surprised to hmr that the Ofticer- in-charge tliere and he .said tliat he had no time to go and see wlmt. was happening. Certainly some change had come over the ('alcutta Police! Then, Sir, the next day, I believe it wa.s Die 17th, (he Muhistidal Raj Hou-nc was looted. Tliat binhling is al)oul 4t> yards from my house and in front of that building <»n tlie other side ol the road tliere was a Fraflic Police ()ut|>ost where tliere are at least llK) police ollicers, I lie House will be surprised l<i hear— and 1 am an e>e-witiie.H.s - that the whole <d that house was ran.sacked. It t<H)k (wo hours to ehvn that Iiou.m* of all its belongings ami tlie pdice were looking 1 sent one ol m> ( lerks lf» interfere and .stop because the Raja was not in the hou.se; be bad left previously. The reply my clerk got was “tloisp ptniple are taking to whom the property beloiig.s” and, Sir, people came <iut with <ill their bisUy and 1 received a report tliat a member ol a certain ]M’o\incial Service went home with a silver tea tray as a part of the loot. I am not here concerned with the details ol this nauseating event. I do not wish to dibcuss how these di.sturbumeh began, who was respansibb*, but 1 cextailily want the House Ui consider wdiy is it tluii the troulile was allowed to grow to gigantic proporjion.s till w'ithin 24 hours the entire situation was out of control. Now, Sir, 1 hav<* not been an eye-witness ol everything that occurred but one who has suffered iimst. I nm not a young man with a stout heart but, Sir, 1 am .supjKKsed to have something like that sort ol grit which can face unple 4 i.s<irit situation, hut this time my nerves coinpIeUdy broke down. We could not .sleep, batch after batch of ruffians knocked at our doors and every moment seemed to be our last. It s<‘enied, Sir, that not only bad British rule ended but that some modern Nadir Shah had come upon (Calcutta and had given up the city lo rapine, plundf*r and pillage. Sir, each time I tried to get into touch with police officers I was told that I w'as to (x)nta<‘t the (Control Room. I <1(» not know, iSir, w'ho w'a.s controlling the Control Room, but whenever 1 wanted some kind of help the reply came that mv c*omplaint has been noted and will be attended to in proper time. Then, Sir, I sometimes tried to get into touch with high officials of Govern- ment House. I was told that none but (iovernment serv^ants were allowed to use the telephone to get into touch with the household of His Excellency the Governor. Police officers wouW not listen, the control office would not oontiol, the Govemwent House would not listen. Sir, in these circumstanoes 146 MOTIONB OF NO-CONFIOBJfOE- [20th SErr,, til# great killing went on and it is undisputed that this thing would never have bappeDed ii the police and the military* had taken strong measures on Friday, the 16th, when the trouble began. It would bare been nipped in the bud that very day, and therefore the conclusion is inevitable that although the police may not be responsible for the origin of disturbances, they are directly responsible for the great loss of human life and if an impartial enquiry is held and these police officers can be spotted, my opixiion is that they deserve to be hanged, drawn and quartered publicly on charges of murder and abetment of murder. Sir, I was deeply distressed on seeing what was happening in the Assembly House this afternoon. These tumultuous scenes were not befit- ting a solemn occasion like this. Already, Sir, we have blackened our faces before the whole civilised world and have demon8trate<^l to satisfaction that the Hindus and the Muslims cannot live together. It would be a tragedy if a debate of such importance cannot be carried on in an atmosphere free from passion and prejudifie and calm judgment should not be allowed to get the better of any racial, communal or other considerations. Sir, I will not take up the time of the House. Much of what I wanted to say as regards the police has been said by my friend Mr. Ispahani. There is one point about police inactivity to which I sliould refer because a passing reference has been made to it by Mr. Isptihani but be did not give the details. Quite within a stone’s throw of Lallbazar, the Scotland Yard of Calcutta, Limton Watch Company at the junction of Bowbazar and Dalhousie Square was looted. The whole cjeremony of looting took about 2 or 2^ hours. Holice officers came but only to take part in the loot. One of my friends who aomehow managed to see what was going on told me that half an hour after the 1<k) 1 pcMjple were seen rushing out with wrist watches and other articles of value ami most of them were jxdicemen. Now, Sir, these are matters which re(juire explanation. Possibly the Chief Minister will not be able to reply, bewiuse he lias not got all the materials before him. Hut these are matters which require to l»e carefully hniked into, in order that any future recurrence of what has taken place may be effectively prevented. As regards these motions 1 think, Sir, they have been somewhat in- opjiortune and if 1 may lie permitted to say so somewhat ill-ad vi.sed. As has been pointed out already b\ some of the speakers we are going to have a Ikimmission to sit and investigate into all the matters connected with these disturhjinces. We are discussing here practically many of the imporUut issues which are nub judirr before that Tribunal. Sooonilly, Sir, 1 ieel that while we are discussing tbe.se affairs in this House issues of far grmter moment and imi>or(ance are hanging in the Imlance in the talks that are going on in Delhi. While we are shouting here, the fate of India is going to be decided not by re.solution8 here and there, but in White Hall and in Delhi. It would have Wen better if w« had waited and seen wliat would be the upshot and the result of the talks which are now going on between the Viceroy and the party leaders. I am optimistic in ibis respect, I feel, Sir. that all will end well. If there is a Coalition (loyernment at the Centre, there is no reason wliy there should not be a Coalition Government in all the Provinces. (Oies of “hear, hear” from the Government Party Henclies.) Sir, 1 have been a great believer in Coalition Gownmeiit. In March. PMd, only a week before I resigned, I wnite two letters to Sir John Herbert and I told him that Bengal was faced with a critical situation twid if Bengal was to be siived, there sWuld be in office m>t a Cabinet of <me Party or other but a Cabinet represented by all Uie parties in the cxiuntry. I also said that if for any reason I am a hindrance to the formation of that Cabinet, I am not only prepared to resign but to gimrantee that 1 will not ask for any seat In that Cabinet. To that opinion, Sir, I adhere. I will wbrk ceaselessly miw that I am a member of the only representative political organisation of the Muslim for the formation 1946 .] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. 149 of Coalition Oovemments. 1 mnt to see Mca astabliahed in tha oountrTi I am not for war; I am for peace. I will <lo my best to restore friendly relations between the various oommunities. I have not wined the Muslim League for self^edvertisemeni or self^iggraudisemeut. Tae Muslim League cupboard is now empty. They can offer me nothing. The most opportune moment to join the the Muslim League would have been before the election.. 1 might have had an easv entry into this House followed by an honoured place in the Cabinet. I liave now oome at a time when the future of the Muslim League is enveloped in darkness. The whole Muslim League array, if I may call it so, are waiting for u clarion call ami if the bugle is sounded* we shall he marching to a terrible d<H>m. 1 have not come here for personal gain. When the news came that I have joined the Muslim Leiigue some of the new8p;ipers said that it was a sort of somersault. Some said I have betrayed the confidence of my erstwhile ix)lU\igues. 1 luive done nothing of the kind. My (x)lleiigues, new and old, ma\ rest assured that I will do nothing to betray not merely the interests of the Muslims hut the interests of any community. I^east of all I hope 1 will do nothing which will hinder the march of India towards freedom ami Iihert\ . I shall hope for pwice, I wish for pwue ami I shall strive for peace. If 1 ('iuinot establish jieooeful relations between the communities, e\en with the help of the organisation to which 1 belong, even with the tmnemlous inilnence whi(‘h that organis- ation wields in the Muslim community in India, if 1 fail, it is my resolve U) retire entirely from politics. 1 will Uike no i>art in bickering. I will not forget those happy days when 1 used to work with the memhers of the Opposition. I am limking forwarl to happy du>s of close cx>nta(*t, and co- ordination with the members of the Muslim League. It is m> desire so to ot)mluct the meetings ami discussions in my fuirty that all attemnis to bring about peace relations between the pirties may prevail. Aft(‘r all even these disturlMUices have shown that Indians e^'pecially Bengahn's, are not so Imd as a mere contemjdation of that hohx'uust may lead one to think. There have been golden (h^eds which <lo honour U) any race or any nation or tribe of any part of the world. There is an example of .Imlge M. N. llanerjee, om* <if the advoitites rd our (Vuirt, who gave up his life in order to S4ive a Muslim youth. There is the storv of a Muslim woman in whose house Hindus iunl taken refuge. The mob came and knocked at her dwr and asked her to open the door. Slie refused. She stmxl at the door and Ixirred the entram^e of these ruffians, .something like ('atherine Douglas of Scottish history. These ruffians broke open the d<H)r ami tnimpled n|M)n her Inidy, That took .sometime, meanwhile the Hindu refugees escaped. While mon and women exist who will .sutler and thus die, hope for our future cannot be lost. Let us remember that in the presence in India of so many mc.es, tribes and religion, there is something of the divine, that there is a divine puxpo.se behind every thing. Let our endeavour he for the achievement of a more prosperous country ami a much happier ptMjple. Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Mr. Spe<iker, Sir. In the heal and passion of the deluite there i.s a danger of our forgetting and c<)nfusing the real issue before the House. Now that w’e are mMiring the end of this del>ate, I would like to remind the ILinse of the issue which we are discuss- ing and the i.ssue on wdiich we shall be <5nlle<I uiKin to vote. Putting it negatively, it is not, who or what started the riot. The issue liefore the House is not, which of the two communities .suffered tnost. The issue l)efore the House is cerfainly not, whether imue Muslim^ than Himlus, or more Hindus than Muslims were killed. Mr. Spc^iker, Sir, it has been said that this vote of censure i.s inopjHirtune. That a CoinmiHsion of Enquiry has Ixteii appointed and we should have waited for the verdict of tlmt (ktmmission. We, Sir, on this side of the House, strongly differ from that view. The vote of censure is a political action by which we are seeking to remove thia Ministry, which we consider is responsible for the terrible trage<ly that took place in this city, and is even now threatening the entire province of Bengal. m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIOENCE. [ZijTB. SBPT. No Commission of En^iry can do that. After all, what can this CommiS' sion of Enquiry do.^ The utmost the Commission of Enquiry can do is tc say that such and such steps should have been taken or that such and such a thing should not have been done. I ask the JSon^ble Members to remember what politiml or practical benefit did we get out of the Dacca Eiot hlnquiry Commission. Does anybody remember that as a result of that Commission a single officer was found guilty of negligence of duty, or was any officer dismissed because he failed to do his duty when the Dacca Diot took place? I think not. Coming nearer, Sir, consider the Great Famine Enquiry tliat took place the other day. As a result of that enquiry, is the Government showing more forethought as regards supplies? Is there less <x)rruption in the administration ? Have the persons W'ho were guilty of wasUige, of corruption, of nejmtism been punished? I do not want to be misundersbx)d. I do not mean that we are opposed to this kind of enquiry, hut a (Commission of Empiiry can after all give a judicial verdict. What we re(juire t/o-day is a [ndilical action ff)r the reme<ly of this evil. Mr. SjHMiker, Sir, I am wiying thi^ only Ixuause 1 am surprised to find that a political fwrty chmises to remain neutral on an occasion like this. If ever there W4LS an occasion to pass a judgment, U) gi\e a verdict, this was the occasion. If you are iciilly convinced that there was no breakrlown of law and order in the city of (aihnitta then please say so. If you think that tlie JVilice did their <luty and did it adequalel\, then you should say that. If you think that the llon’hle the ('hiel Minister in charge of law and order, is not really resimnsilile for the I>aw and Order of this Pnivince, then it is your clear duty to \ote f<ir the (io\ernment. Hut neutrality on such an issue shows utter political vacuity and callousne.s^. It is a clear dereliction of y()ur duty as a meniher of this Eegis^ituie. Now, Sir, what is this issue? The i.ssue is simple. The issue is, was there, or was there not. a total break- down of law and order in the city of (alcutta? If so, do the Ilon’lde the Chief Minister and his (x)lleagues, who are lesponsible for the maintenance of Liw and order, deserve censure for this breakdown which (aused the loss of property worth crores of rupees, inpiiy to ‘J(l,OII() and <leath to o.l)t)() Hindus and Muslims of this city, or do they not? It is not nece^Narv to devote much time to conviiu’e the honourable members, especially those who wer<‘ in (alcutta 4it the time, that there was no law and order in (’alcutUi from the Ifith of August iH)r se\eral days; that Government had completely* ceased to function; that shops were l<M>ted—gunshop.s— shops in Dalhou^ie S(|U4ue within a .stone s throw from Jialliazar Holna* Headquarters — house.s were set on fire, mass murders were (‘ommitted, communal gixmps fVuight in tlio streets with lethal we4i|>ons. Many member.^ were e\ e-witnesses to incidents, horrors oi which will haunt' them throughout ' their lives. I personally witnesseil two mass attacks and attempts at arson. This was on the lith morning. One was a house next to ours and the other on a house within two minutes' walk from my hou^e. Hut, Sir, it is not necessary to mentum incidents. When bdMKI persons are killed and 2(1, (H)0 injured in a city within the tourse of 4 days no description of incidents, and no argument is necessary to prove tiuit there wms no law and order in (\ilcutta for those days. It is I hope admitted on all sides of this House Hurt there was a complete brwtkdown of law* and order. Tlmt brings us to the next question — whether those who are responsible for kw and order took anv step to prevent the rioting. But before 1 go into tbut I w’ould like to deal briefly with the background of this disturbance, because that w*i 11 prove that the police should have known that celebration of the Direct Action Iky was not going to be a peaceful one. The Muslim League had been pre|>ari^ for this day. It had issued on appeal to all Muslims to observe the day. It had organised a Volunteer Corps. But, I afraid, Sir, we did not see any appeal from any responsible leader of the League asking the Muslim public not to interfere with tlu>se who did not agi^e with them in this matter. On the contrary, there were highly exciting ATtioles in the Muslim League papers preaching unrestrained hatred of other im,] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIl>ENCE. lit ^mmumties. Even my friend Kbwtaja Naiimuddin, whom we all liave known as an upholder of law and order, hinted that the League was not rostricted to non-violence. It was also obvious that there was an organisation behind this hooliganism. They shouted the shme slogans, they acted in the same way. It was obvious that they ^ere obeying orders. They had sufficient supply of petrol. They had numerous lorries. In Benlapukur area they cximpelled Hindus to sign I^kistau pledges which were later on published in the “Az4id’\ They forcibly <Hm verted persons to Islam. Now, what was the Police doing all the time these preparations wero being made A\ e woiihl like to know, it the Criminal Investigation Depart- ment had made any rejxut regarding preparatuuis that were l^ing made for armed procession. Every member in this House, every perwm m Calcutta knons that no prec^iutionarv measure was taken. Then' was not a single police man anywhere in Calcutta. Even the ordinarv precaution which is taken during the Moharrum or the Puja ])ro<essiuii oi sending .some p«)iice- men with the j)ro(‘essioii nus iK>t taken. Even after looting and assault began on the morning ol the Kith, even after the gun-shop in Chowringhee was IcKited, the jxilice did not make an\ elective move. All appeals for help from tlie p<dice pn^ed us«dess. L(X)iing, murder, ar.son Uok place before them without their making an\ arrest. E\er\lK>dy who uppixmched th« p<dice got the .‘ijime iepl\ -“No oi<h*is“. On occasion huiulrtMl times less seri()U‘< — we have seen machine-guns in the streets of Calcutta. Military or IH)lice petrol — I do not know wliicli i;iiue out in the evening of tlie sewmd day, hut they «lro\e along the main isiads at 4(t miles an hour without stop- ping to arrest liooligans oi rescue those who were in dangei. Now, how c<iu one explain this*' It cannot b<‘ mere im'fhciency. There must have been some deep-laid conspiracx somewhere. If the II on 'hie the Chiel Minister was no jKirtx t4> it, tlien he should throw' sonu* light on Ibis my.sterions atlair. We had lM*en told that the jHilice W 4 »s not strong enough to de;il with the crt>wd, I hev had not, it is .siiid, sufficient number, sufficient re.s<.)nrces That explanation, we Ixdieve, is lals(‘. Evervlxidy saw that even the most murderous crowd ran aua\ at the sight of half a do/.en armed pohceiiieii. A single seig<'ant W4is able U> effect a resem* irom among a number of lusdigans. As a matter ot tact any uniiorm was respected. During all these riots not a single j>oliceman. not a single officer, had suff(^red any injurv . '1 lie real ta< t is that the mob knew Homeliow - - 1 do not know how — lliat the\ would not be inteifertnl with, and I do not think that they were wrong Had not then own leader, the Chief .Minister of Heiigal, given the marching order!'' Wa- not their own (iovernment in power in Bengali^ Were they not promised iluring the electiini that Pakistan would he estahlisheil and that the house^ and j>r4»perties <d the Ilimlus w-ere at the disposftil of the haithlul !" Even their lives were at their mercy. Did not the Ijcague (government forgetting its duty to otlier (■'orumuuit les declare the Kith oi August a public holiday!*' Why? — even the Coiniuis.sioner of Police helped to make the celehralion successful l»y jiersuuding the bus drivers not to ply their buses. Mr. S|)eaker, i.s it any wonder then that the hooligami, when they are arresteil for loot and carnage, murder and ar.son, exclaim in surprise that tliey hud done ail these under instruction, and it w'as under- stood that the police would do nothing to them. mucdi for the police. Now, Sir, let me in piissiiig examine the machinery, 1 mean tlie adminis- trative machinery of Bengal, which is exjiected to deal with the communal situation. We have a suspicion that the jw.sting ol officers has been made in .such a way that in Mjiiie districl.s all the administrative officers from the District Magistrate to the thana officers are Muslims. I would like to know how' many District Officers to-day are Muslims, how many Hindus, and how many Europeans. I would like the Hon’ble the (!hief Minister to l^Il us the number of Superintendents of Police, and Iwiw many of them are Muslims, how many Hindus and how many Europeans, 1 would also like him to state the number of thaiuks of Bengal, and how many thana officers are Muslima^ m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE [20th Srpt. and liow many Hindus. I do iK>t wish to cast any reflection on aU Muslim officers that they are all communal nor am I foolish enough to claim that Hindu officers are all non -communal but it is undeniable that the canker of communaiism hds affected ihe 'services. No Hindu feels safe, if the officer is a Muslim, and I believe that a Muslim feels the same if the officer is a Hindu. But unfortunately for the Hindus, with the advent of the League Ministry most of the key positions not reserved for Europeans have gone to the Muslim officers. Even during the riots in Calcutta, Hindu officers have been transferred and our protest was of no avail. Therefore, Sir, this conspiracy of crushing the minority community in Bengal began not with the Direct Action Day. It began much earlier. It began from the first day the League Ministry took office. It was their deliberate plan to fashion the administrative machinery in such a way that the minority community would be reduced to utter iielplessness. One of the worst things that the League -Government has done is t(3 in1rodu(*e communaiism into the state machinery. It has totally (M)rrupted the Government machinery, and God knows if we would ever have an administration which would deal fairly and honestly with all communities. Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to deal with all the points one would like to within the short time at our disposal but the tense situation in hkist Bengal cannot be ignored. Stories of looting and murder in the rural area have appeared in the pres.>. In some jKirts of East Bengal travel- ling by railway or IkkiIs has been extremely unsiife. The situation in the city oi Dactui has deteriorated. Mass attacks, looting, arson, stabbing are takinj^ place unchecked by the police. To add to all this, discrimination in imposing fine has been alleged. I beg to draw the special attention of the Government to this disturbing feature. Now, Sir, if the House is convinced as it is IkiuiuI to be convinced that law and order did break down, if it is (tonvinced that those in charge of law and order did not take any timely step to prevent the terrible events of August, we come to the final issue, — who is responsible for this terrible ^• 4 ilamity? We cxune to the inevitable conclusion that the resj>onsibility must fall on the lion’ hie the Chief Minister and on his colleagues. It i.s not that they are guilty of acts of omission only, they are guilty of acts of commission also. They played the dual lole. They with others organised the demon.stration of the Direct Action Day. They delivered sj)eeche8 in- flaming the ignorant mind. They and their lieutenants roused (X)nimunal frenzy to the utmost limit. That is one side. On the other side, being at the hwid of the Government of the j)rovince — being responsible for law and order — they remained inactive as a matter of |K)licy. I say they went further — they used the Government machinery for communal purpmse — they iabotaged law and order from inside. Mr. Speaker, the pmspect of Bengal is utterly gloomy. I see no prospect of return of (MUifidence — no establishment of t'ommunal harmony, no good and honest Government if this Mini.stry continues to be in power. I charge this Ministry being solely responsible for the arson, looting, murder and rape tlmt t<M>k place during tlmse unforgettable days. I charge them with oorrupting the entire admiiii.stration of Bengal with communal bitterness. I know it is easy to maintain oneself in power by a communal majority. But Beii^il is not limited to this House. The verdict of the people — the verdict of all jleceut-miiided people of all (‘om muni ties will be on our side. Mr. Speaker, I supimrt both the motions that have been moved in this House. \ Th# H0fl*bl« Mr. H.- &. 8UHRAWARDY: Mr. Speuktu, Sir, let me f as I begin, pay on Whalf of every single memWr in this House and of the House itself our humble tribute of penitence and regret to those innocents who lost their lives in the terrible carnage that lieset Calcutta on the Ifith of August and the subsequent days, and our sympathies and condolences to the members of the bereaved likmilies, to the widows and the orphans, the MOTIONS OF NO^ONFIDENCE, 1946. J fatherlese and motherless sons and the sonless fathers and mothers who live to mourn their loss. Let this terrible thing which has happened h o^lesson to those who may still think that we are plaviug with Ministries, with no>coniidence motions, with the battle-door and the abut* tlecock of power under the shadow ot the British Raj. Today politics ie much more earnest and real. TcmIuv it is not merely the transference of power which is involved but the lives of the people. It is not merely a question of forensics and fulminutions, of delniting ability, of making a point here or there. It is not a matter of taciical victi>rieft, of gloating over advantages won by shabby trickeries. Today polities is real, vital and earnest. I will lienee not attempt to make points but to narrate before the House the fuetuul position as I under.Ntand it. 1 urn doing so in the hope that all of US will <lraw a lesson from what bus liapfiened and gone htdoi'e, and so mend our hearts and our minds and our ways that there may be no re|>eti- tion of those horrible days w liieh will haunt us as a nightmare till the end of our lives. Mar it come to pa8.H that those who have died have not died in vain, and on their graves lei us build a memorial of abiding peace and co-operutiou and strive to work for the common welfare of the varioua pfoples that inhabit this sulM'uiitineiit. A terrible catastrophe has occurred, the most terrible in the annals of India within rei’ent times, and tlu* blame must nnhirallv full on the (loveru- ment of the <ltiy until it can prove that it diil all in its power and within the limits of its resouri'es. 1 feel that whmi passions still run high, wlu*n political affiliations govern votes, it is only an ini])arfial tribunal that can ever arrive at file correct facts and give a proper apprt*ciaf ion (»j the inci- <leiits. and hence 1 lost no time in taking steps (o s(*t u]» a ('ommission of KTiquirv of unimpeachable judgment and integrity. 1. liowi-ver, do not seek that r<‘tuge in placing the fa<*ts helore the House as I see it. for 1 owe an ev]>lanat ion to the House itself and the TiMUiihers of tin* puhlii’ outsid** It seems to me that the imideiits which took pline were the Itounden results ot a chain of circumstances in various fields of lifi\ resulU indcoil the magnitude ot which no one could foresee and which was outside the e.xperiencc of cveiyone. The fiist aiul the mosi im]»oilant link in the chain are undoubtedly tlios<‘ taclois wlii«h produced political tension hetw«*cn tlie Hindus and the Muslims ot an unimaginahle and unloreseeahle degree. M'he (litleiing ideologies ot Ihikistan and ilindusthan were being assm’ted by Muslims and by Hindus in their separate camps with unyielding vigour and determination hacked by threats of civil war. Kach party went t^i the polls in the last eh*ction and u])pi*aled for support to the electorate on this is'.iie. Tiic Mu.slinis alim>.st nnaniimms \oted ioi Ihikistun. , Kven Ihosi* who defeated the Muslim League candiilatc.s went to the polls w'ith Pakistan i)n their lips, nay, (»lleii as greater piolagonisls of Pakistan .than the lAuiguers theniselv<*s. The (’ongress won its victories on the issue of undivided Hindusthan. I leave aside the poor Scheduled (’astes and tho Adihasis who vainly struggled for self-ex firessioii hut were overwhelmed by the C'a.ste Hindu votes or (leemed it expedient to aisejit the (kmgress tickets and (’ongress l)enefactioiis. But all this remained academic until firstly the I’arliamentary Party and Kuhse(|uenlly the (hihinet Missifui laiin* out frame a plan for evolving a new' constitution and f<»r installing an Interim frovernment. This is not the time or the pla(*e to go into the details of the lalwiirs of the f'ahinet MisKion hut the hackgrtnind of Hie tension In^twecn the Hindus and the Muslims cannot he complete unless I touch upon some of the aspects. The (\mgress met immediately after the long-term prtiposals w’ere announced. Mr. (iandhi first gave his blessings to tho pioposals and the very next day found them full of hlciiiislies and pitfalls. The Muslim lioague allowed the pniposals to 1 m* properly digested and then convened a meeting of it.s Working Committee and of the C^mncil in the beginning of June. The f'ongress promptly adjourned its sitting till after the datee fixed by the Muslim League. Believing in the good faith of the Cabinet Mission, believing that it meant to iaaplement its assurances and 154 MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Sept. pledges, the Muslim League accepted the long-term plan, and the statesnmn- ihip of Mr. Jinnah was immediately acclaimed throughout the world. The CongreBS met and put constructions on the long-term plan widely different from the constructions put by the Cabinet Mission, and with its own reserva- tions and constructions pretended to accept the long-term plan which was no acceptance at all. I need not go deeper into the story, for the manner in whicn the Muslim Ixjague was betrayed by the Cabinet Mission on the very last day^ viz., on the 25th of June, is now established histor}\ Muslim Incfia was thunderstruck at this shhmeless betrayal. We \vere under the belief that those days had passed w'hen politics was a game of chicaneiy and trea<'hery. Britain had travelled far from the days of Clive, it had in- creased in moral stature and had sacrificed the lives of its children in two world wars in defence of treaties and of solemn pledges. Politics was now more open. Negotiations were taking plac’e before the very eyes of an anxious W'orld, and no Muslim at least dreamt that his nation would he betrayed so brazf‘n-facedly by three of Britain’s most eminent ainbassadoi's, and yet this did come to pass. T have not met one single Englishman who has not hung his head in shame at the manner in which the Muslim T^eague was betrayed by the Cabinet Mission. And so in the end the great panjan- drums of Britain decided to hand over power to the (hmgress and to exclude the Muslim League, and in the end the Muslims in desp(‘ration deiided rather to tread the thorny path of sacrifice, even of annihilation, tlirougli direct action than ]>ur\ for ever their cherished goal of Ihdvistan. So, on one side tlie Muslims were burning witli resentment against the Briti'ili Government for its signal betrayal. It is true that the Congress had allied itself with tlie British Government and had acce])ted an Interim (iovern- inent to the (‘xclusion of the Muslims. But the Muslim League, so far as I kiiow its mind, though resentful of the ('ongre>s attitude, still deemed British Imperialism its chief foe for having play»Ml fast and loose with the Muslims. But what of the Congressp Alas! they t<»ok tlndr position too seriously! Or seriously their conH<‘ience was troubling them for having' a('eept(*d ofliec through devious means t<» th(‘ (‘xcdusioi* f»t tin* Muslims. They deemed that their entry in the Interim (fovernnnmt as M(‘mbers of the \ ir(‘r(>y’s E\e('u(ive Couneil had given them ut>limit«‘d ])o\\er; it tlie Mtislims raised their heads, th(‘\ would bo eiushed and ciushed ea^ih Direct action they considered us directed against them and n<»t against the Britisli power whose smi'ossors tliev f(»ndl\ iinagin<‘d tll(Mn^td^e^ to la*. 1 b(‘lieve they fearial that if direct ai'tion M<nild succeed, it might induce His Majesty's Government to modify their offer of j)o\\(‘r to the CongreS'. and they would lose tin* throne which they had captured and which in their imagination far <mtshom‘ the wealth of Ormuz and of Ind. And su('li indeed was tlieir panic that they considered the shadow of direct action t(» be direct action itvseli. August Hi was declared by the Muslim Ticague as a day for explaining the viewpoint of the Muslim l.eague and that tlie Muslims should prepare themselves to pass fn*m constitutional to unconstitutional action in defence of the Muslim cause when the call came. Some mischievous persons — I nin sure that this was not <lone by the Muslim licague as 1 have had it from the t)uaid-e-Azani himself — desigmiteil that day as Direct Action Day giving the impression that on that day direct action W'ould l)e undertakim. Indeed, Sir, some of the speeches of the honourable members opposite prove that they are still labouring under the iranression that the Muslims intended to resort to direct action on that day and that they did so and .some even think that that day was observed only in Bengal. It is a thousand pities that the Hindus of Bengal and of Calcutta were determined tn see that August the 16th should not be a success under the mistaken Indief that if the Muslims made that dav a success Pakistan would be established. The 16th August had Wen de<lared hv me a holiday. That was done for the purpose of minimising conflicts, but the Hindu newspapers and leadero deliberately interpreted it in a different light and exhortnl their young men to^ oppose it in all possible ways. I knew that the feeling was running so high amongst the Muslims that holiday or 194C.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDKNCK. m no holiday, they were determined to leave their work and attend the demonstration and meetings convened on that day throughout Bengal. It was not proclaimed, as some suggest, to make the deinonst ration a success so as to enable the Muslims to join it without ditliculty. They would have joined the demonstration in any event. 1 knew what had hupueued in previous hartals. 1 shall have occasion to refer to this later. When one section called a harUiI, other .sections, even though auxuius to gi> about their work, had been comi>elled to observe the harttd by violence and intimi- dation. It a holiday was proclaimed, there would be iit» necessity or (H'(ja- Mon to eonipel any section to leave a oi k and llicre wtiuld 1 h^ n(» need for violence and intimidation. I felt that hoae^er much we may ask the Muslims to keep to themselves and we did ask them fo do sc. there w'ould he an iiudination on their part to appeal \o ILndus to observe hartal with them, for had the\ not observed hartal t>n previous oei’Usiims along with the Hindus agaiiiht their imdination and conid tl»«‘v not, therefore, expect similar eo-operaticn? I hoped that if I proclainuMl u ludiday, the Hindus in their turn would gladly avail themselves of the fac ility thus ofTered and would (dose their shops without being persua(Jed to do so by Muslims. On the previous day I appealed to the Ilindu leaders for sympathy and co- operation. Alas! the Hindu leachus ('ouhl not sc*e eye to (‘ye with me. Alas! on the 14th and the loth August thi'v (‘\horted the Hindus, to keep their shops open and not on any account to listen to the Muslims. Alas! the Hindus W(‘re (iiarged to ivsist the slightest a]»)>eal to keeji their shops (dosed. Alas! the Hindus wc'n* made to eonsidc‘r that if they had kept their whelps (do'.c^d, that would he (*(juivalent to (d)s(*rving hartal. It wamid ni(*an supporting tlic d(‘mand of the Muslims; it would nuain admitting the deiiiand ot Pakistan 1 m‘(‘d not r(*fer to the r(‘ports of tin* sp(‘e(‘heH made hv the t<cp leadeiN. The translation of a h'aflet widely eirenlatiai by the Hindu MahasaNa will he sufh(d(*nt evidene(’' to (‘iifona* my point. I give a complete translation of the hmfhd : “Kith August. Beware I’’ “I he Muslim I/cague has d«‘elar(‘d the Kith of August a.s th(‘ ‘direct Action {^'^ofu/raw’W i\v ) Day and on that v(*rv day public has been asked to observe hartal, d’liat da> has been proclaimed as sinh for the Muslim League to attain Pakistan. That was far fnnn the mind of any Muslim. Tlie Bengali Hindus and every iion-Miislim is oyiposed to Pakistan. Hnder these (■ireumHtane(‘s to observe hartal on the Ititli as proclaimed by the L(*ague or to help them in any way would dhuiii supjiorting their demand. Tlo^ Bengali Hindus ('an never do that. The League Ministry had the aiidaeitv to declare tliai day as a holiday. The aim of it is very clear. By this method that day (Jovi'rnmeiit Hindu emiiloyees will he forced to (d)serve hartal. The Hindus will have to give a clear reply to thi.s high-handedness of the Muslim League. It is tin* clear duty of every Hindu that he will (lo hi.s usual normal duty and no Hindu, non-Muslim or anti-League Muslim shall observe hartal nor will he allow anyone to observe h/irtal, and for this they mu.st unitedly try. We a])peal to the general public that on that day they will normally work and not bend their head's and stand up to any forcible compulsion that may he triced against them. Remember that to oh.serye hart-al means to admit the demand of Pakistan.” It is an extraordinary leadet and gives political incitement to the young men of that community. The signatories are-— SKri Satish Lahiri, General Secretary, All-India Hindu Mahaaabha. Shri Narendra Nath Da#, Joint Pretidttni, Bengal Provincial Hindu Mahasabha. 156 MOWONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Sbw., Shri Makhan Lai Biswas, Secretar>% Bengal Provincial Hindu Mabasabha. Shri Dbirendra Kumar (ibosh. Secretary, Provincial Hindu Sbakti Sangha. Shri Satkori Rai, President, Provincial Hindu Student Federation. It is not necessary for me to say more other than emphasize the following sentences, “nor will the Hindus, non-Muslims, or anti-League Muslims allow anyone to observe hartal and for this they must unitedly try”. This is clearly directed against the Muslims observing hartal^ and remember this must have been so considered by the young Hindus in whose hands the leaflets were distributed and later “Rememljer that to observe hartal means to admit the demand of Pakistan.” This was the political background on the Ibth of August, 1946, a back- S round which would never liave seen the light of the day had not the Cabinet [ission betrayed the Muslim League on the one hand, installed the Congress on the other without the Muslim League and sowed the seeds of dissension between us two and quietly slijiped away to wat(;h the results. I do not blame or charge the Cabinet Mission with vwla fides when they came out in this country, but I certainly do say that before they left, what they left behind divided tlie Hindus and Muslims into such w’arring camps that for a long time to come until the Hindus and Muslims sit together and settle the difierences amongst themselves, the sore will not be healed and w'e may And ourselves continuously fighting with each other with the mi»st deplorable prospect. (A vok k fkom jiik ('onohkiss Bk.nciifs : You accept joint electorate.) The, second series of links in the chain which was responsible for the catastrophe was the general spirit ot lawlessiu'ss in the Province. Immediately after the general (‘hM lions in (ireat Britain, that is to say, after August, 1945, wlien the Labour Party gained an overwlielmlng victory at the polls, certain im]>ortant decisions wen* taken at the very higliest levels in this land and outside regarding the interference of the jmlice with ])olitical demonstrations. On the one hand, the Labour Ihirty’s policy with regard to India had been clearly defined in the Party’s eb‘ction manitosto wht*re com- plete imlependence was assured as soon as it (ould he contrived after a eettle- meut betw’eeii tlie Indian groups; on the otlier hand, the political leader^ within the country refused to believe in the .sincerity of the British Goveni- inent, and inflammatory public speeclies were made from all platforms. It would Hj>pear that the Ooverumeiit did little either to defend itself or to stem the rising wave of lawlessm^ss. In fact this decision formed the beginning of a series of lawlessiit'ss which swept this country and paralysed all the demoralisations which overtook the authorities of law and order. It is quit^ clear that a policy of non-iuterferehce with political demonstrations was pursued ami civil liberties were made c(»-terminus with lawlessness. The propaganda in favour of the Indian National Army followed on Government’s action against certain of its members. We still remember vividly the incidents of Noveiul>er, 1945, when students were utilized to enter the pro- hibited area, and these attempts were repulsed in Dharamtolla Street by the police with the use of firearms on the 20th of November, 1945, and a second attempt also by tbe use of firearms on the 2l8t November for which use they were subsequently pilloried and condemned by the local public opinion. On both occasions the police were attacked by -riotous members of the assemblies. Public sympathy W’as aB in favour of the students, and the persons killed or wounded by the firing^ were proclaimed martyrs. Soon after violence and arson broke out in various parts of Cab'utta directed mainly against the mititary and tlie police personnel. The Bhowanipore police-station in South Calcutta was attacked bv a mob and a Deputy Commissioner was injured, and scores of military venicl^ were burnt. As tbe police were the tar^^t for most of 4d)e attacks, the official policy was framed during the section 93 rogime of not allowing police personnel on the streets in troublous times, MOTIONS OF N04m'FIDKN(’K. 1946.] im except in parties sufficiently numerous or adequately armed to defend them* selTes, and this was the policy which was apparently followed in dealing with the situation of the 16th of August. Then after that came the February disturbances. Two processions of students entered the prohibited area on the 11th of February, 1946, and were dispersed by jiolice Inthi charges. A subsequent procession was taken out and althougl) it is adiuitted that tlie processionists had nothing to do with the vicdence which followed, no sooner had the proce8.sion8 dispersed than the military and (Government lorries were burnt commencing in (Vntral Avenue area, and attacks were luade on Anglo- Indians. For the next tw(» days violent attarks (oillinned on (i(»vernment and European institutions and on the persons of (Government officers in uniform and on Europeans and Anglo-Indians. Altatdts were made on police-stations and post offices and on several institutions. The riot which followed received general support from the public. The military were brought out some day's after the riots liad commem'fd, and the disturhuncfMi were quelled by the combined efforts of the military and the police. Than there was the H.l.N. mutiny where for the first tim»‘ one section of the armed forces had simwn the tendency, already exlnhited by the general public, of losing all discipline and respwt for authority. The mutiny was succeeded bv furtlier instances of disaffection in the army tiiid the police. The political lenders by openly encouraging disaffection in the armed f<»ree8 and the police were thus ^ul^verting and rendering impotent and inefficient the forces which w’ould have to be relied oti in tlie event i)f any internal disorder. This is a matter which J would like the House to appreciate. Another s])ecies of lawlessness that appears to have taken root in (^alcutta was that aroused by tlie rash and lawless driving by the military. Xo amount of orders by the superior authorities or of cajolery by IGovernmeut, no amount of rules and regulations ccmld eontrol the high and dominant spirits of the •military (lriv(*rs until the people (lH*mse)v«‘s look the law into (heir ow'n hands and hecame lauK-ss themselves, and whenever u pedestrian was knocked down thrashed th(‘ driver and luirnt tin* vehicle. ( luloubtedly tills aitiou was most repreheii^ihle, hut it workc*d and rash driving abated of itself; and lawlessness found itM-lf at a premium. The general wave of unrest found expression also in lal)our strikes. The first big j»ost-w'ur strike was the > Tramway .strike of September, 194o. The strike (ever grew in 1946, and there were couiitlesn industrial stoppages and an astronomica] numWr of lost working days. Eadi major strike was eagerly HUpporte<l by the more extremi.st political parties, and attempts were made to distort it into a freedom struggle. Large mobs of workers ran loose in the streets of Calcutta. Public transport services were interrupted on the slightest provo- cation, A threatened railway strike in June was averted by the (Government of India acceding to a great many of the workers’ demands. The postal workers then put forward a list of demands. The right and possibly the justification for the.se workers to .strike i.s not the point in ksuc, hut the effect on the public as a whole was to increase the feeling of disregard and disrespect for authority which had been engendered by the November and February disturbance.s*. On the 29th of July, 1946, a general strike was organised by the All-India Trade Union (A)ngress to give support to the postal workers. In gent^ral the strike proceeded peacefully, hut the picket- ing indulged in at Writers’ Buildings and the Clive Street mercantile offices was decidedly forcible, and varying degrees of force were used to iMsrsuade loyal workers — Anglo-Indians, Hindus and Muslims — from aiieiiding to their duties. At the All-India Radio Station women were employed as picketers, and for a short time they overran the station, dislocated the wireless programmes and attempted to blockade the entrance into the building and to attack the |wli(^e parly. This incident is significant in that it is the first rx>nc€rted effort to mobilise women in an effort to subvert the authority of the forces responsible for law apd order. Women were subsetjuently utilised a' picketers at the office of the Imperial Bank of India where a strike of ^:^ployees commenwd on the 1st of August, and this strike was actually in m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Sept., operation on the fateful 16th of August' at 10-30 a.m. when the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Police went to the Imperial Bank to examine the position created by these women picketers. There were also incidents at the Assembly when crow^ds came within the Assembly buildings on various occasions and de%d the authority of the Police. There were frequent hartnU for the slightest cause and for political reasons. A hartal was suddenly proclaimed on receipt of a report that Pandit Pawaharlal Nehru had been wounded in Kashmir. In most of these cases violence was used by the mol) on people going about their ordinary vocations. They were made to walk, military and private motor cars were smashed and burnt, ties and hats were taken off, persons were assaulted, j)eople were forced to close their shops, offices were ])icketed and the police looked on helplessly. It