CHAPTER VI
THE HONOURABLE AND!
An Additional Membership is, as I view it,no sop or gag intended to stop honest and fair criticism. But if it is, I should certainly give it up rather than consent to draw the curtain over the gross negligence or the palpable errors of officials, however high they may be.
B. G. Tilak
ON August 7th, 1895, Mr. Tilak, elected by an overwhelming majority by the District Local Boards of the Central Division, took, in the Legislative Council, the customary oath of allegiance to Her Majesty, the Queen-Empress. Two years later he was standing as an under-trial prisoner in the High Court of Judicature, to be punished of disaffection, in spite of his protests and in anticipation of a new interpretation of the term ! The first event did not ensnare him, nor was his life-work paralysed by the second.
During the course of these two years, the Council met for 8 'long' days and worked for less than 36 hours. As usual pertinent interpellations were asked to which pertinent or impertinent answers were returned. The discussion on the financial statement occupied much time. And the residue was devoted to the following questions:—
- I. The Bombay Civil Courts Act, 1869 Amendment Bill.
