Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 269
THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM 269 intendent of Police of the district learnt of the despatch of these letters, he proceeded to Qadian and assured the Secre- tary concerned that government would take adequate mea- sures for safeguarding the security of Qadian during the period of the conference, and suggested that the letters that had been issued by the Secretary might be recalled or can- celled. The Secretary expressed his satisfaction over the assur- ance of the Superintendent of Police and agreed that the letters would be recalled. Thereafter prompt action was taken to recall the letters. It appears that the Governor, who had been apprised of the earlier developments and had been notified by the District Magistrate of the issue of the letters, was not immediately informed of the action taken to have the letters recalled. Acting upon his earlier information he directed the issue of a notice under the Criminal Law Amendment Act to the Khalifatul Masih calling upon him to stop the inflow of members of the Movement into Qadian during the period of th~ conference, to provide no accom- modation or food for any members of the Movement who might arrive at Qadian during that period, and to take certain other specified measures which were designed to obviate the risk of any conflict between the Ahrar and the members of the Movement. Apart from the fact that 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 move- ments of those who intended to foregather in the conference. The issue of the notice created a grave situation as it affected