DISTURBANCEIS, KASHMIR. (Hansard, 28 September 1931)

§ 3. Colonel HOWARD-BURY
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information with regard to the riots in Kashmir on Wednesday, in which a number of Moslems were killed and wounded; and whether he will make representations to the Hindu Government of Kashmir urging them to abolish the penal laws against Moslems and thus remove the causes that have given rise to this and previous rioting, which has caused loss of life?

§ 8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
asked the Secretary of State for India the circumstances of the present non-communal rising in Kashmir directed against the ruling dynasty; and what steps are being taken to prevent outside interference from British India or other countries with the internal affairs of this State?

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
On a point of Order. I believe that it is a Rule of this House that hon. Members must make themselves responsible for the statements in their questions. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fourth line of the hon. and gallant Member's question, in which reference is made to "penal laws against Moslems As this is entirely inaccurate, may I ask you if the question is in order?

§ Colonel HOWARD-BURY
On that point of Order. May I be allowed to say that the question is perfectly accurate, seeing that Moslems get seven years' imprisonment if they kill a cow?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
I am afraid I cannot take any responsibility as to the accuracy or otherwise of what is stated in the question.

§ Sir S. HOARE
The facts of the recent regrettable disturbances in Kashmir have been reported in the Press. I understand that the situation was somewhat eased by the peaceable dispersion of the large crowd which had collected on Thursday evening. A further outbreak entailing loss of life is reported to have occurred on Saturday at Shupian, 30 miles south of Srinagar. The Government of India is, of course, in close touch with the situation. As regards the second part of question Number 8, I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer which I gave on the 24th September to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for South Derbyshire (Major Pole).

§ Colonel HOWARD-BURY
Will not the right hon. Gentleman have an impartial inquiry made, under the authority of the Viceroy, into the serious and longstanding grievances of the Kashmiri Moslems?

§ Sir S. HOARE
I must not give an answer to that question. We are dealing with the affairs of the State of an Indian Prince, and it would not be in my power to give an answer to the hon. and gallant Member's question. I can assure him, however, that we are following the matter with very close attention.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
With regard to the second part of my question, as to the prevention of outside interference with the internal affairs of this State, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is not only watching the matter as regards British India, but whether our representative in Kabul has been asked to watch the situation?

§ Sir S. HOARE
The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that we are watching the question from every angle. We realise that it is a very important question.

§ Mr. BROCKWAY
Arising out of the original answer, may I ask whether it is not a fact that the State of Kashmir has been remarkably free from these Moslem-Hindu conflicts?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That does not arise out of these questions.