APPENDIX TO THE RESOLUTION.
( See paragraph 43 . )
EXAMINATION OF THE EVIDENCE QUOTED IN LALA NIHAL CHAND'S
MINUTE OF DISSENT.
STATEMENT
Social and religious customs.
Extract from the Minute of Dissent :
36. I therefore hold that , as the public opinion (social or religious) is quite
against the use of ganja and charas, as has already been shown, and
as they have no connection with the social and religious customs
of the people, none but a few of the habitual consumers will feel
any hardship by their prohibition, and that class, too, for a time
only. On the contrary, even the family members of the consumers
will consider the prohibition of the drugs as a blessing to them.
There will be no public discontent nor any interference with the
religious and social customs of the people, if ganja and charas are
prohibited.
[ Here is inserted a quotation. ]
37. A few of the many witnesses are quoted in statement I, appended to
this note, in justification of the above views.
This statement I contains extracts from the evidence of forty witnesses,
Among these witnesses are the following :—
1. Bengal.—Ganendra Nath Pal, witness No. 46. This witness says in answer to
question 35 : "The prohibition, I should say, will create discontent among the consumers,
who would naturally question the justice of the British Government about their freedom
of action. I would not, however, anticipate any political discontent, because, loyal as the
people are, they would always bow down to the decision of the Sarkar. The prohibition
would be followed by recourse to dhatura or other drugs, but not to alcoholic stimulants."
2. Mohesh Chandra Nyayaratna, witness No. 93. He said : " Ganja smokers are
held in disrepute; " but added, "sanyasis are, however, excused, and they often would
beg a pice or two to enable them to smoke ganja. Charas smokers are detested." In a
further written statement he said:—" Prohibition would cause discontent among con-
sumers. Prohibition of the use of siddhi would cause wide-spread discontent."
3. Prokash Chunder Roy, witness No. 58. This witness said in reply to question
34 : " I t w o u l d b e
a s e r i o u s p r i v a t i o n t o t h e s a d h u s a n d f a k i r s , w h o c o m e f r o m a l l c l a s s e s ,
because their habit is formed by using the drug for years together. It would also be a
privation to the Bhagats, who cannot have recourse to liquor as an alt ernative on account
of religious prejudice." Then, in answer to question 35, he said:—" Prohibition may
cause discontent, but not serious, nor amounting to political danger." This witness was
not orally examined.
4. Akshay Kumar Maitra, witness No. 233. The quotation in the statement goes on.
"But there is a prevailing use in some parts of Bengal of bhang on the last day of the
Durga Puja," and subsequently "ganja smokers are seen offering their chillum to Mahadeo
before they partake of it. This arises from the popular belief that Mahadeo, the god of
power and destruction, counts ganja among his favourite drugs."
5. Gobind Chandra Das, witness No. 64, in answer to question 35. He said : " I am
of opinion that it will not be feasible to prohibit the use of these drugs absolutely."
6. A s s am .—Radha Nath Changakoti, witness No. 47. His answer to question 32 does
not agree with his answer to question 33. In answer to question 3 2 he said : " Amongst
Assamese the custom is considered religious in the case of Shivratri or the annual p u j a