§ MR. KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the destruction of a Hindoo Temple at Durbhunga, under the Bengal Government, by direction of Mr. Beadon, the Chairman of the Durbhunga Municipality, on 8th January last, under circumstances which have caused some stir in Hindoo society; whether he is aware that Mr. Beadon alleged, as his reason for ordering the demolition of the temple, that it was one for which the sanction of the Municipality was required, under Section 237 of Act 3 of the Bengal Council of 1884, and that such sanction had not been obtained; whether he is aware that, on the day before the demolition was commenced, four of the Municipal Commissioners had sent a requisition to the Vice Chairman that a 990 special meeting should be called to consider the matter, with the object of the requisite sanction being passed; whether he is aware that the Vice Chairman, in direct contravention of Section 39 of the above-mentioned Act, which binds him to call a meeting, did not call the same as required, but proceeded at once with the demolition of the temple, employing Mahomedans for the purpose, supported by Government police with firearms, and arresting the Brahmin priests on the spot; and when he expects to be in possession of the decision of the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal in regard to this matter?
* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERCUSSON,) Manchester, N.EIn the absence of my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for India I have to say that no information upon this subject has reached the Secretary of State.