EULOGY OF MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20968, 3 September 1931, Page 17

EULOGY OF MURDER.

TENDENCY IN INDIA.

JUDGE'S SEVERE COMMENTS.

The increasing tendency to eulogise murder was commented on by Mr. Justice Lort Williams in the Calcutta High Court on July 20, in sentencing to death two young Punjabi Mahomnicdans for the murder on May 7 of a Calcutta bookshop proprietor, Bholanath Sen, and his two assistants. All three wcro stabbed in the back while sitting at a table unsuspecting and defenceless.

It was revealed at the trial that Bholanath Sen was the author and publisher of an elementary book on Indian history, in which appeared a picture of Mahomet reproduced from a painting by a fifteenth century artist. The victims were wholly unconscious that they had committed a fault, but apparently the youths considered the reproduction of the picture of the Prophet an offence against''tho Moslem religion. In the course of his judgment the Judge said he had noticed lately that persons holding responsible positions Calcutta and elsewhere had made speeches palliating murder, eulogising terrorism and also the self-sacrifico which they say is displayed by the murderer, and extolling his courage and devotion in the pur; suit of an ideal. This was a direct incite'ment to others to show equal devotion. "Let me warn the men," the Judge said, "who make these speeches that they cannot be surprised if those who hold this view apply a similar maxim to the murder of Hindus by Mahommedans or the murder of Mahommedans by Hindus. Those who make these speeches are the real offenders They are the instigators of these crimes, but they escape prosecution. Doubtless these poor youths are actuated" and instigated by others much too wise to bring themselves within the clutches of the law. Instead, their dupes have to pay the penalty.