PILGRIM TAX—INDIA.

HC Deb 14 October 1831 vol 8 cc766-7

Mr. Wilks

presented a Petition from the Rector and other respectable Inhabitants of Stafford, praying for the abolition of the Pilgrim Tax in India, and that the hereditary estates of Hindoos might not be forfeited by their conversion to Christianity.

Mr. John Campbell

begged leave to support the prayer of the petition. He was anxious to see the Christian religion extended throughout the world, but he at the same time thought, that the religion of our fellow-subjects in India ought to be as little as possible interfered with. He had never understood that Hindoos lost their estates on changing their religion.

Sir John Malcolm

said, he fully concurred in the prayer of the petition, but he entreated the House to be cautious how they dealt with such kind of petitions. At the present moment when education was generally diffused throughout India, and the language of this country extensively understood, such petitions attracted much attention, and the consequences of their being discussed in that House were likely to be more important, than hon. Members calculated on.

Mr. Wilks

said, he could have no desire whatever to cause excitement in India, where the British empire depended almost wholly on the influence of opinion. At the same time there was a great distinction between tolerating the religions of the country, and sanctioning a custom by which pilgrim fanciers collected together a number of unhappy devotees from districts of the country, and received a sum of money for each.

Sir Charles Forbes

Said, the petition just presented referred to a practice of great importance, and the collection of revenue from such a source was extremely objectionable.

Mr. Cutlar Fergusson

observed, that the petition slated, that the Hindoos lost their inheritance on being converted to Christianity, but he could declare, that, there was no one instance of a native being deprived of ins inheritance from such a cause, and he would further affirm, that there was not a Court within the provinces ruled by the East-India Company which would enforce such a law.

Mr. Astell

remarked, that any discussion on such a question could not advance the object of the petitioners. He believed that object could be best obtained by avoiding all angry discussion.

Mr. James E. Gordon

said, he thought the connection of British authorities with the ceremonies of Pagan Idolatry involved a dereliction of Christian principles on the part of the Anglo-Indian government, which was at once a reflection on the nation, and a proof that it was not sincere in professions of Christianity. He entirely agreed with the petitioners, that the management of Pagan Temples ought to be left to Pagans themselves, and that all sanction of idolatrous ceremonies should be withheld by a Christian Government.

Petition to be printed.