Page 12
of the applicant's not knowing Persian and Urdu, Now, he could not for the life of him understand how a knowledge of Persian and Urdu could be of any help to students in their studies in England. No doubt a knowledge of Persian and Urdu was necessary for those who were to serve the Nizam’s Government; but then, the knowledge could be acquired by students on their return from England. The selected candidates for the British Indian Civil Service were made to study the Vernaculars of the Districts to which they wished to be appointed during their probationary term of Office. Why should not His Highness’s Government do a similar thing? The bringing into existence a committee to decide whether Hindus could, religiously speaking, cross the “black waters” was not called for. And the appointment of purely orthodox men on it, gave room for the suspicion that the Government had prejudged the case—had made up its mind not to allow the Hindus to profit by the opportunities, afforded by the scholarships, of going to England. An impression had had been gaining ground that those in power were opposed to the interests of the Hindus. And this but tended to strengthen this impression. In the memorial to be submitted to the Government it should be stated in clear unmistakable terms that it would do well that it would be to its interest to act so as to remove this impression. In this connection, he might say a word or two about the statement made by the Nawab Intesar Jung with reference to the account of the interview that a friend had had the courage to have with the Nawab on behalf of the “Hindu” riz., that there was apathy on the part of the Hindus to avail themselves of the opportunities given them of educating themselves to a high standard. The Nawab had referred, in exemplification of the statement, to the fact that there were few Hindus in the higher grades of the Pleador’s service. He (the speaker) had moved freely with all classes of Hindus in the State, and could state, without the least fear of contradiction, that there was many a Hindu who could hold his own against the Moslem in the higher grades of Pleader’s calling. But how [indus in no way inferior to their Mahome-
