(EDITORIAL) That the distress in Bengal is real, widespread and calamitous is the premise upon which the Statement of Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan and Nawab Ismail Khan base their observations and constructive suggestions. When Lord Wavell visited Calcutta he uttered a warning against mere criticism when the rendering of relief to Bengal is the paramount necessity and it is in that spirit that distinguished leaders of the Muslim League have published their impressions. They steer clear of Bengal’s domestic controversies in bearing witness to the actual conditions, for the reason that recriminations have not so far saved a single life…

We notice that it is the lower middle classes who have suffered from the economic stress in a peculiar manner. They are “sold out” of all their possessions and are in the struggle for survival under the shame of destitution which their self-respect finds it hard to bear. Since the drafting of the present statement, aid from the military has been offered by the Viceroy and we notice that in the plan of imports from other provinces and States Major-General Wakely has also thrown in a small quota of rice from the Army stock… there is still a long path to tread before Bengal can find her way out.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2018