Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/700

Rh the same time, such a measure could not be objected to on the ground of interfering with a religious observance.

"From every point of view, therefore, the most reasonable course appears to me, to make a law declaring it penal for a man to have intercourse with his wife, before she has her first menses.

"Such a law would not only serve the interests, of humanity by giving reasonable protection to child-wives, but would, so far from interfering with religious usage, enforce a rule laid down in the Sastras. The punishment, which the Sastras prescribe for violation of the rule, is of a spiritual character and is liable to be disregarded. The religious prohibition would be made more effective, if it was embodied in a penal law. I may be permitted to press this consideration most earnestly on the attention of the Government.

Sd. "Isvara Chandra Sarma
 * The 16th February 1891."

But this time the Government did not accept his views. In spite of his very reasonable opposition, the Bill was passed. It in a manner displays the policy of the alien Government in the administration of this country. When this Vidyasagar had petitioned for a legislation on the re-marriage of Hindu widows, his prayer had been readily granted. Widow-marriage is consonant to the feelings, customs, and policy of the ruling race.