HC Deb 09 March 1925 vol 181 cc943-4W
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why the city magistrate of Peshawar violated the British principle of religious neutrality by issuing an Order, under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting local members of the Arya Samaj from holding any public meeting in the city from 1st February till 21st February, by which time the birth centenary of their founder, Rishi Dayananda, which the Arya Samajists wished to celebrate, was over?

Earl WINTERTON

The Order was passed because the members celebrating that centenary were displaying at their public meetings objectionable lantern slides, which were causing tension of feelings between the Samaj and the Orthodox Hindus.

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