Fazl-e-Umar — Page 188
Fazle Umar 188 his hand even though it was a tradition in the family of the Promised Messiah [as] to never go out without a walking stick. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih showed scrupulous regard for the order and expected the members to obey it even though he did not regard the considerations of the government to be right and proper. 109 Although the need for the issue of such a notice to anyone had disappeared in consequence of the understanding reached between the Superintendent of Police and the Secretary concerned, the issue of the notice was open to serious objection on several grounds. The notice was directed to and was served upon the Khalifatul Masih, who had not been concerned with the issue of the letters to which objection was taken by the district authorities. The notice aimed at forbidding a legitimate activity, namely, members of the Movement visiting Qadian, their religious centre, freely without let or hindrance, at all times as they had been accustomed to, while no restriction was placed on the movements of those who intended to foregather in the conference. The issue of the notice created a grave situation as it affected the dignity and honour of the revered Head of the Movement. The conference was held in this strained atmosphere, which was rendered highly explosive by the foul and fiery speeches made at the conference in which the Founder, the Head and members of the Movement were slandered and reviled and provoked beyond endurance. The situation was saved by the restraint observed by the members of the Movement and by the ready and cheerful welcome extended to all those who desired to visit Qadian and see places of interest including offices and institutions of the Movement and observe their working. Such visitors were shown every courtesy and were taken round to see and observe whatever they wished. Some of them later joined the Movement.