500
234. Evidence of MR. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN, Honorary Secretary, Muham-
madon Literary Society, Calcutta.
32. Among Muhammadans there are no customs,
social or religions, in regard to the consumption of
these drugs.
33. The consumption of these drugs is not
regarded with much disfavour, although its ex-
cessive use is considered injurious.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of any or all of these drugs. The prohibition is
likely to cause discontent among the consumers,
but having regard to their limited number, there
is no likelihood of a political danger. There is
every chance of the prohibition being followed by
recourse to alcoholic stimulants.
41. For medicinal purposes bhang, ganja and
charas possess wholesome properties. The classes
of people, who are engaged in hard manual labour
or have to expose themselves at night by reason
of their occupations, are generally given to smok-
ing ganja. Charas is considerably used in yunani
or hakimi medicines for aphrodisiacs. A moderate
use of ganja or bhang is considered beneficial by
the consumers.
43. Yes; generally they are.
45. No.
67. No.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I am about 36 years of age, a
Barrister-at-Law and Advocate of the High Court,
Calcutta, Honorary Presidency Magistrate, Muni-
cipal Commissioner, Fellow of the University of
Calcutta, and Honorary Secretary to the Muham-
madan Literary Society. The Society at a meet-
ing has formally deputed me to represent its views.
My answers were written under the Society's
instructions. No Special Committee was appoint-
ed to deal with this subject. The Committee of
Management formulated the views which I have
stated. This matter, in accordance with custom,
was not placed before the Society generally,
which consists of about 500 members. There are
about 30 members on the Committee of Manage-
ment. I was instructed only to answer the ques-
tions which I have answered. The Committee
has deliberately refrained from giving any views
on the question of administration.
Question 45.—The negative answer to Question
45 only refers to the 1st paragraph of the question.
Question 46.—The Committee deliberately re-
frained from expressing any opinion on this ques-
tion. The Association had no particular experi-
ence on some of the matters contained in the
questions which have not been answered, so they
did not answer them; but they had some experi-
ence about moderate use, and therefore answered
the first portion of Question 45.
235. Evidence of BABU KAMALA KANTA SEN, Kayasth, Zamindar and Pleader, Presi-
dent of the Chittagong Association.
1. I am a vakil practising here and also a zamin-
dar having opportunities of hearing from my
clients and tenants.
2. These definitions may be accepted; they are
known here by the same name.
3. In the hill tracts and some places in Ranga-
mati of this district, the hemp plant grows sponta-
neously without any care or looking after.
4. Hemp plants include ganja and bhang. They
are different plants.
6. Scattered.
7. No.
14. No.
15. Wild bhang trees are dried and kept for
eating and drinking purposes.
16. Yes, they prepare in their houses. Yes, it
can be prepared from the hemp plant
Ganja and
charas can be prepared, but not prepared here.
17. Toomeahs of the hill tracts.
18. Yes, they deteriorate by keeping. Yes, lose
their effects after one year. They are worm-eaten,
and by exposure lose their alcoholic strength. If
they are kept wrapped securely without exposure to
air, they may not deteriorate about a year or so.
19. Ganja is used for smoking only; charas is
not used in this district.
20. Ganja is smoked by Dome (fisherman),
Hari (sweeper), and Hindu and Muhammadan
fakirs (ascetics).
21. Flat is preferred.
23. No.
24. Orthodox Hindus drink bhang on the Das-
ami, Sripanchami and Sivaratri days. Hindu-
stanis and Marwaries drink habitually. Bhang is
eaten only as medicine in pills.
25. Rather on the decrease. Owing to dearness
of the drugs (probably).
27. Fishermen to protect themselves from ex-
posure from cold, and sweepers to protect them-
selves from bad smells, etc., and ascetics to con-
centrate their attention to devotion, etc.
29. Milk, pepper and sugar are mixed generally
in making bhang. Dhatura is not used.
Mix-
tures are made to make them delicious and to in-
crease their intoxicating power.
30. Ascetics consume in solitude. Bhang is
used in solitude; ganja is used in company. It is
mainly confined to the male sex. It is not usual
for children to consume any of these drugs.
Adults and old people use the drugs.
31. Not easy, but it is difficult to break off
when formed. Yes, there is a tendency to develop
into the excessive.
32. Bhang is drunk on the occasion of Dasami,
Sripanchami and Sivaratri days for religious
purposes. It is regarded as essential by orthodox
Hindus. It is generally temperate. It is not
likely to form into a habit or prove injurious.
33. They are generally in disrepute because of
their irritable temper owing to such consumption.
No such custom of worshipping the hemp plant.
34. Yes, by fishermen and sweeper classes.