Punjab Legislative Council Passes Controversial Money-Lenders' Bill
On July 10, 1926, the Punjab Legislative Council passed the Money-Lenders' Bill, a measure that observers at the time described as a milestone in the evolution of communalism in the province. The bill, which targeted money-lending practices predominantly associated with Hindu and Sikh communities, was widely condemned as communal in its inception, scope, and likely effects.
Official Members Align with Non-Muslim Majority
For the first time since the introduction of constitutional reforms, official members of the council openly sided with non-Muslim members against the non-Muslim element both inside and outside the legislature. Dr. Gokal Chand Narang warned that the bill's passage should compel Hindus and Sikhs to seriously reconsider their political position.
Defenders Claim Bill Is Not Communal
Supporters of the bill, including its mover and Sir Fazl-i-Hussain, attempted to argue that the measure was not communal in nature. Sir Fazl-i-Hussain even misquoted Raja Narendranath to support his claim. Raja Narendranath promptly corrected him, clarifying that when he had described the bill as a class measure, he meant exactly what others meant by calling it communal.
The bill's passage marks a significant shift in Punjab's political landscape, with deep implications for inter-community relations. According to contemporary press reports, the measure was seen as a direct challenge to Hindu and Sikh economic interests, as money-lending was a profession predominantly practiced by those communities.
