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Barisal

Programme of the Conference: Bande-Mataram a point at issue—police attack the procession: 'instructions to arrest Mr. Banerjea alone'—wounded magisterial dignity—the Conference suppressed by the police: our indignation.

To the narrative of the events of the Barisal Conference, with which I was closely associated, I will now invite the reader's attention. I had gone with some friends to Dacca, just a few days before the Conference, to settle some points at issue between our workers. Our work being over, we proceeded by steamer from Dacca to Barisal. We arrived in the evening and found that the delegates from Calcutta and other places were already there. They had not landed, but were still on board the steamers awaiting our arrival. Certain questions had arisen, which they considered to be vital. and they wanted to settle them in consultation with me before they landed. The cry of Bande-Mataram was forbidden in the streets of Barisal, and indeed of all the towns in East Bengal. We held the order to be illegal, and we had fortified ourselves with competent legal opinion. Were we to submit to arbitrary authority, which was not countenanced by the law? Self-respect forbade submission. But the Barisal leaders had entered into an understanding with the authorities, by which they agreed to abstain from crying Bande-Mataram in the public streets, in welcoming the delegates. Were we bound by this agreement? The younger and more ardent section among the delegates were in favour of shouting Bande-Mataram despite the agreement. A compromise, however, was effected, which was readily acquiesced in and was acceptable to all parties. It was urged that the Barisal people were our hosts, and we were their guests, and that we should, if possible, do nothing that would compromise their position. Their compact with the authorities should be respected; but it was equally binding upon the delegates to vindicate the legal right, which they undoubtedly possessed, of uttering the cry in the public streets against the arbitrary order of the Government of East Bengal. The agreement of the Barisal leaders was limited to not uttering the cry on the occasion of welcoming the delegates, it did not go further. It was therefore settled, with their full concurrence on board the steamer, that the understanding with the Barisal leaders should be respected,

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