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Et:41147E ASS .11-11.TS Ott SATY kRTIIA PltA Am/
these vices. It is the first and foremost duty of us all to avoid
injuring each other is well
as
to promote each other's well-
being. We offer this criticism of the Mohanunedal Religion
to all lovers of truth in the hope that they after having:
carefully studied it, accept what appeals as true to their
reason and common sense and discard what is repugnant to
them."
What do these inanv declarations and re-affirmations
mean.? Are they really sthe language of a
MAIL
a bigot,
whose intention it is to force upon others his own ideas or
beliefs even at the risk of promoting "feelings of enmity
or hatred between the different classes" of followers of the
various religions? Do they warrant the presumption, nay even
asuspicion, that they come from a mind bent upon playing
one section of the Indian population against the other, with
no manner of scruple for violations of accepted principles
of morality or law, increasing thereby the fund of human
suffering and misery in India ? Is there any rational
ground for any fear that these criticisms may intensify or
stimulate intereomnamal conflicts and strife in the country ?
—although such a fear, if at all it existed anywhere in
the League circles, will not be a
proper ground
for
forfeiture of the book under the Code. It is important
not to lose sight of the fact that the "attacks" on beliefs.
in the book are "attacks" on
the whole hullau society,
and
not on any particular class.
There is absolutely no warrant for the view, or for
any suspicion, that the book is likely to foment inter-
conununal enmity and hatred, for two vital reasons. The
one is that, according to
Salyartha Pralca4h,
there
are
four important religions prevatent in India—the Ptuiranio
(the llindul, the join (Buddhist), the Christian and the
Mohammedan. When the followers of
all
these religions
are given and receive
equal
treatment, when the book
strictly maintains that they all are sailing in the same
boat, which one of these religious communities can any
legitimate grievance against any
or
all
of
the rest ? The
common "religious" teaching* and beliefs of none of these,
fine classes have escaped the effect of the author's pruning
bade. There is not a sensible man who will deny the