India’s Claim to Equality

THE poetical contest held by the Punjab Publicity Committee in the Bradlaugh Hall was memorable for one incident which showed clearly which way the wind blows. The Hon’ble Khan Zulfiqar Ali Khan presided and His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was also present, when Chaudhri Shahab-ud-Din, Pleader and Municipal Commissioner, and a master of Punjabi, was persuaded to recite a poem on war. The poem dealt with the destruction wrought by the enemy, the brutalities perpetrated by the ex-Kaiser, and the successes achieved by the Allies resulting in the request of the fallen foe for an armistice. The diction and vigorous description went to the hearts of Punjabis present. But it was when he addressed a request to the King on behalf of India for the grant of perfect equality with the Dominions beyond the seas that the assembly broke out into an applause which continued to greet the speaker, as he pleaded in thrilling accents for the effacement of all differentiation between the white and dark people.