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Hindu idols. It is difficult to say what he is not. Whether the orthodox Hindus of Calcutta will tamely submit to their family idols being dragged into Court is a matter for them to decide, but it does seem to us that some public steps should be taken to put a quietus to the wild eccentricities of this young and raw Dispenser of Justice.
"What are we to think of a judge who is so ignorant of the feelings of the people and so disrespectful of their most cherished convictions, as to drag into Court, and then to inspect, an object of worship which only Brahmins are allowed to approach, after purifying themselves according to the forms of their religion? Will the Government of India take no notice of such a proceeding? The religious feelings of the people have always been an object of tender care with the Supreme Government.
'Here, however, we have a judge who, in the name of Justice, sets these feelings at defiance and commits what amounts to an act of sacrilege in the estimation of pious Hindus. We venture to call the attention of the Govern- ment to the facts here stated, but we have no doubt due notice will be taken of the conduct of the Judge.'
The leaderette was based on information that appeared in the now defunct newspaper, the Brahmo Public Opinion. The Brahmo Public Opinion was edited by the late Babu Bhubon Mohan Das (Mr. C. R. Das's father), a well-known solicitor of the High Court. As no contradiction appeared, I accepted the version as absolutely correct, especially in view of the fact that Babu Bhubon Mchan Das, being a solicitor and an officer of the Court, might naturally be presumed to be well informed on all matters in connexion with the High Court. I reproduced the substance of what appeared in the Brahmo Public Opinion and commented upon it.
Soon after I received a writ from the High Court to show cause why I should not be committed for Contempt of Court. The writ was served on me on May 2 and May 5 was fixed as the day for the hearing. The time was short; and my difficulty was that I could not get any barrister to take up the brief on my behalf. Mr. Mono- mohan Ghose was ill and confined to bed. Mr. W. C. Bonnerjea at last undertook to defend me, but on the distinct understanding that I should apologize and withdraw the reflections I had made on Mr. Justice Norris. As the comparison which I had suggested in the incriminating paragraph between him and Scroggs and Jeffreys was unfair and indefensible, written in a moment of heat and indignation, I readily consented.
On May 5, the case came on before a Full Bench consisting of five judges, among whom was Sir Romesh Chunder Mitter, and