Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/133



With such materials did Mr Derozio form his “Academic Association.” He was its president, and a young man, Umacharan Bose by name, its first secretary. Krishna Mohan Banerji, Rupi Krishna Mullick, Ram Gopal Ghosh, Radhanath Sirkar, Dakhinaranjan Mukerji, Hara Chandra Ghosh, and other senior students addressed the meetings. Ramtanu Lahiri, with Sibchandra Deb, Peari Chand Mitra, and others formed the audience. The proceedings of the association in time attracted so much public attention that men like David Hare, Colonel Benson, Lord William Bentick’s private secretary, Colonel Beaton, afterwards Adjutant-General, Dr Mills, Principal of Bishop’s College, used to attend the meetings and watch the discussions with keen interest and admiration. Moral and social questions were fearlessly discussed there, and the result was that the pupils of Derozio learnt to appreciate freedom of thought and action. The boldness with which they attacked the religious and social institutions of their country was thus set forth by the same Hara Mohan Chatterjee whom we have just quoted:

“The principles and practices of Hindu religion were openly ridiculed and condemned, and angry disputes were held on moral subjects. The sentiments of Hume had been widely diffused and warmly patronised. The most glowing harangues were delivered at debating clubs, which were then numerous. The Hindu religion was denounced as vile and corrupt, and unworthy the regard of rational beings. The degraded state of the Hindus formed the topic of many debates; their ignorance and superstitions were declared to be the causes of such a state, and it was then resolved that nothing but a liberal education could enfranchise the minds of the people. The degradation of the female mind was viewed with indignation. The resolution, at a very large meeting, was carried