496
49. The use of bhang to some extent, and that
of charas to a much greater extent, have just the
contrary effect.
51 to 54. There is no essential connection be-
tween the use of these drugs and criminal habits.
If a bad character is addicted to bhang-drinking
or charas-smoking, he would indulge in his habit
at the fixed time; but the consumption of none
of these drugs gives any particular fortification to
one about to commit a crime. If anything, the
use of these drugs renders the consumers timid,
and would rather prevent one about to commit
crime from perpetrating it.
55. Criminals are reported to induce their
victims to drink bhang mixed with dhatura,
which immediately brings about stupefaction.
Bhang alone will not induce complete stupefac-
tion ; but charas and ganja may.
56. A very moderate mixture of dhatura only
intensifies the intoxicating power of the bhang,
and is frequently resorted to by excessive consum-
ers of bhang; but the admixture is decidedly
harmful when administered to one not addicted to
excessive consumption of bhang.
58. The present system works perfectly well so
far as bhang is concerned. Improvements may be
made so far as charas and particularly ganja are
concerned, with a view to check any increase of
the habit of smoking them.
62. No; cultivation should not be controlled.
It would not be feasible.
65. The taxation of bhang is perfectly reason
able in both respects; for it is as much a necessary
of life to millions of people as tobacco. If the
Sikhs and other non-consumers of tobacco were to
agitate for the removal of the present tax on
bhang, they would make out a very strong case.
68. Not many such. The existence of such
houses or shops is not commendable, as it is a
source of temptation to lookers-on.
69. The wishes of the people are not consulted
in such cases as a rule. Local public opinion
ought to be consulted before such temptations are
placed before them.
80. Evidence of ARYA SAMAJ , Dera Ismail Khan.
Copy of the Proceedings No. 113 of the Meeting
of the Antring Sabha of the Arya Samaj of Dera
Ismail Khan, dated 31st October 1893.
The extract relating to the Hemp Drugs Com-
mission was laid before the Executive Committee
of the Arya Samaj, Dera Ismail Khan, held on the
31st October 1893, and the following resolutions
were unanimously carried out:—
1. That, in the opinion of this Samaj, the
system in force in the Punjab regarding the pre-
paration and sale of ganja and other hemp drugs
is most defective, inasmuch as it affords facility
for their consumption which deteriorates mental
capacities and the health of the consumers.
2. That this Samaj is of opinion that the sale
of the hemp drugs should be restricted to the
medical profession for medical purposes, and the
preparation be so restricted as to meet the said
wants only.
3. That a copy of the resolution be forwarded
to Excise Officer, Dera Ismail Khan.
Oral evidence of TUHIRAM , son of
Sardar Kahan Singh.
I appear on behalf of the Arya Samaj of Dera
Ismail Khan. My age is 25. The Society com-
prises 5? memners in the town of Dera Ismail
Khan. They are pleaders, clerks, residents of the
town, including some Hindu land-owners, who are
also money-lenders, schoolmasters, and one Hindu
hakim. The question of the hemp drugs was con-
sidered at a meeting of the Executive Committee
consisting of 10 members, of whom 8 were pre-
sent. The resolution stated in the Proceedings
of the Society, No. 113, dated 31st October 1893,
and forwarded with the Deputy Commissioner's
letter No. 113, dated 8th March 1894, was adopt-
ed after discussion. I am deputed to appear by the
President after consulting the Vice-President and
Treasurer. There was no meeting to vote my
deputation.
The facility referred to in the Society's resolu-
tion is permission without restriction. The Society
is in favour of total prohibition of both charas
and bhang, forbidding the sale of the drug except
for medical purposes. The order should also
include ganja, though it is not used in the Punjab,
to prevent people taking to it hereafter.
The Society made no distinction in its discus-
sion between the moderate and the excessive use
of charas or bhang. The Society is opposed to
any use of either, except for medical purposes.
The meeting did not consider the difficulties of
prohibiting the use of bhang arising out of its
growing wild, because in the Dera Ismail Khan
district it does not grow wild. It is only cultiva-
ted. Some of the Society are probably aware
that the plant grows wild in the trans-frontier
hill tracts and in the Bannu district which adjoins
Dera Ismail Khan on the north. The subject
was not however alluded to at the meeting.
The meeting did not consider the possibility
that prohibition of charas and bhang might drive
the consumers to other intoxicants.
The Society simply passed the resolution after
reading the Deputy Commissioner's communica-
tion which contains no reference to these matters.
There is no other matter which I have been direct-
ed to lay before the Commission.
81. Evidence of the SECRETARY, ANJUMAN ISLAMIA, Dera Ismail Khan.
There are only three kinds of hemp drugs
known and used in this country—viz., ganja,
charas and bhang.
Ganja is very rarely used in this country, so
that many of the people do not know the name of
ganja. It is prepared from the soft leaves of