Maulana Azad’s Internment

IT will be remembered that in a press communique, dated 3rd November, 1916, the Government of Bihar and Orissa stated that the reason for the internment of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, an Urdu journalist of Calcutta, was that Government had received information that he had been engaged ‘in treasonable communication with the enemies of His Majesty the King-Emperor.’ It seems the interned man in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bihar and Orissa challenges the accuracy of the information that might have been placed at the disposal of Government, and repudiates the grave charge. He says, “This undreamt of charge has caused me indescribable surprise and pain, as never in my life was I ever engaged in treasonable communication with the enemies of His Majesty. There can be no charge more serious than this against a citizen of the British Empire, and no punishment can be regarded as too severe for such an offence. If I cannot clear myself of such a grave allegation against my conduct I shall be a ruined man all my life, for I shall always be looked upon with suspicion by the Government.”