Sikh prisoners

THE debate that took place in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday over the motion for the passage of the Gurdwara Bill was notable chiefly for what the Home Member called “a moving appeal” made by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya for the release of Sikh prisoners, and the Home Member’s own reply to that appeal. The Pandit was evidently in his best form. After according his hearty support to the Bill and congratulating the Government of India, the Punjab Government and particularly Sir Malcolm Hailey on their acceptance of the principle underlying the Sikh demands, he reminded the House that only one thing now remained to complete the process, and that was the release of the Sikh prisoners. Here, again, the position had been rendered much easier by the fact that the Sikh leaders in the Lahore jail had unanimously accepted the Gurdwara Act, despite its shortcomings, and had advised the Panth to work for it wholeheartedly. By doing this, said the speaker, the Sikh leaders — and it was they who really mattered — had met the substantial part of the Government’s demand for an undertaking, and the Government should not insist on the humiliating terms laid down by it being accepted by the prisoners. They had definitely declared that they would not purchase their release on that condition; and so long as they remained in prison, the peaceful atmosphere that was necessary for the success of the Act could not clearly be found. This eloquent appeal was supported by MA Jinnah, who said that he was sure the Government did not want to humiliate the Sikhs and that, therefore, it was not desirable to insist on the pledge.