§ 3. Colonel Sir CHARLES YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the misrepresentations and hatred of the Government displayed by the Akali propaganda published in the extremist Sikh Press and, considering that the organisation of the Akalis, have refused the conference and the generous terms offered by the Government through the Birdwood Committee and the elected Sikh members of the Punjab Legislative Council and by devoting itself to fanning the flame of anti-government hostility, has now grown into formidable danger to the other communities in the Punjab as well as to other sections of the Sikhs, will he state what special action is to be taken to maintain law and order in the Punjab?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI am aware of the extreme writings of a section of the Press in connection with the Akali agitation. As regards the last part of the question, the policy of the Punjab Government, which has the full approval of the Government of India and of my Noble Friend, is to maintain order and public security by consistently applying the law against all offenders, and at the same time to neglect no means of arriving at a stable and equitable solution of matters in controversy, with due regard to all the interests that are affected.
§ Sir C. YATEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this Akali agitation has now become a purely political and revolutionary movement, without any religious features whatsoever, and will the Government of India take steps to put down this revolutionary movement?
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKIs it not well to leave this matter to the Governor of the Punjab and his assistants on the spot?
§ Mr. RICHARDSWith regard to the second supplementary question, I think it is well. With regard to the first, it has always been partly political and partly religious.
§ Sir C. YATEDoes not the hon. Gentleman know that religion is quite out of it now?