AN INDIAN OPINION ON AMRITSAR. [To THE EDITOR OP THE
" SPECTATOR."] enclose a cutting from the Pioneer Mail for July 2nd giving a letter from the Raja of Mankapur. I think it is a great mistake it is not more known that loyal Indians have suffered as well as Europeans. Was it not an Indian magistrate who had petrol poured over him and was then burned alive in the early part of the rebellion?—I am, Sir, &c.,
" Sat,—There has been much adverse criticism in the Presi for some time on General Dyer's action in firing straight at the mob in Jhallianwalla Bagh. But would these critics kindly point out what course of action they had adopted if they were placed in the same situation as General Dyer was. within the few seconds at his disposal, facing an infuriated mob which had lost all self-control and perpetrated lawless acts by murdering European innocent men and women, setting fire to churches and other public buildings, and looting property to the value of several lakhs, mostly belonging to their own countrymen, with an armed force of only 50 men? If General Dyer had not opened fire immediately, would it not have led to the looting of much more valuable property belonging is Indians and to other horrible bloodshed? Let me quote an instance in the Katapur riot case about the Bakr Id festival. on which occasion the Joint Magistrate Babu Gangs. Prasad was censured for not dispersing the mob by opening fire on it at an early stage and for causing an increasing loss of life and property by his inaction.
RAJA OF MANKAPUR."
Previous page
