The Message or A Cry of Anguish — Page 75
THE MESSAGE OR A CRY OF ANGUISH 75 It is therefore when the Muslims come across such offensive writ- ing from other religions or see such bitter treatise, they take it as an individual's personal wickedness and bigotry, or stupidity and compounded ignorance. And, God forbid, nobody ever thought that the Government had any hand in it. The Muslims of the Punjab have been observing from the last sixty years that the prin- ciples of this honourable Government are based on pure justice and equity, and it is absolutely impossible for such a thought to cross their minds even for a second that the native priests, in the eyes of the Government, are worthy of being pardoned for their harsh language. Hence, whereas the subjects are absolutely loyal towards this kind Government then if the foul language used by Padres could disturb the peace it would not be greater than that of two groups, on a certain occasion, are rebellious to each other. But the truth is, as long experience proves to us till date, that such a rebellion has never taken place between such people. Although we have read and heard such harsh writings and painful remarks from the native priests in the last sixty years that could shatter the heart to pieces, yet no rage or provocation has ever been commit- ted by the Muslims. This is because the Muslim scholars turned towards writing their rebuttals. Thus, the rage which was to be shown uncouthly by some ignorant was exhibited in a civilised manner through pen and paper. Despite all this a great number of Muslims are illiterate who are completely unaware of these writ- ings. Consequently, such writings cannot stir any disorder today and is believed that it will not do so in the future too. For this habit has already firmly been established in the Muslims for the last sixty years that writings should be countered with writings. This wise strategy is quite commendable and effective in keeping