“MANY-HEADED MISCHIEF.”

It is difficult to review this many-headed mischief in a few words, but its main features may readily be brought to mind.  First there is the economic disturbance which resulted from the enforcement of the boycott whether by persuasion, or by intimidation or by force.  This has been a very real mischief and a very real suffering in many parts of the country where the cultivators found themselves unable to obtain the products to which they were accustomed at prices which they could afford to pay.  Next is to be noted the violent scenes in the bazaars, where the sale of British goods was sought to be obstructed by organized force.  The deplorable riot at Jamalpore, with its terrible sequel, is only one among many such scenes.  A closely allied evil was the picketing of the bazaars by students and other young men, which became an intolerable nuisance until it was put down with a strong hand.  The case at Jhalakati, where the young boycotters practically took possession of the bazaar, is a prominent typical instance.  Then followed the numerous cases of interference with individuals with the accompaniment of assault and mischief and criminal restraint.  The long list of crimes of this nature that have been punished in due course would be wearisome to repeat.  No less mischievous and perhaps even more widespread and more common have been the cases of criminal intimidation, in which notices have been posted, or letters have been sent, threatening vendors or purchasers individually or collectively with arson or murder or other outrage.  Wealthy zemindars and bankers, shopkeepers of all grades, and villagers and townsfolk have alike prayed to be protected from such interference in the lawful pursuit of their ordinary avocations; and too often it has been impossible to afford this protection.  That these threats were not mere idle extravagance has been proved to the hilt by the grave incidents that have actually taken place.  More widespread, more difficult to deal with, and causing even greater suffering than these violent methods has been the social persecution which has been exercised upon those who have failed to bow down to the orders of the boycotters.  This is one of the most serious chapters in the whole history of the agitation, and Government has again had to deplore the sufferings to which quiet and law-abiding persons have been subjected.  The constitution of Hindu society lends itself with great readiness to this form of compulsion, and no weapon is more feared than social ostracism when ruthlessly used in pursuance of a political object.  Another most grave aspect of the boycott agitation has been the constant attempt to excite disaffection against Government by public meetings, speeches, propagandist tours, newspapers, pamphlets, songs, flaunting and noisy processions, and dramatic performances.  Every effort has been made to try and persuade the people that the Government is hostile, callous, and neglectful and that boycott, and its kindred measures, are the means by which to bring it to a better course.  Some of the worst offenders have been prosecuted under the law and have paid the penalty of their crimes, but it is impossible by such means to counteract or nullify the mischief that they and others have caused.