THE recent appointment of two European officers “in preference to Indians” was criticised during a debate on the admissibility of two adjournment motions in the Assembly on Friday [April 12].

The first motion tabled by Dewan Chamanlal (Congress) concerned the appointment of Rowlerson, as member of the Railway Board “thereby continuing the policy of Europeanisation of the Railway Board in spite of the recently expressed wishes of the House”. Seeking admission for the motion Dewan Chamanlal cited previous rulings of support of his plea that an adjournment motion could arise from unsatisfactory replies given by a Government member. He said that it was most amazing that what did not suit the Government Member concerned, did not appear in the Press. The Leader of the House Sir Ramaswami Madaliar objecting to the admission of the motion recalled the replies given on Thursday and said that no question of Indianisation as such was involved in them.

The second motion was tabled by Mr. Venkatasubha Reddiar (Congress), to discuss the appointment of a retired British I.C.S. Officer as Secretary, Finance Department, “ignoring the claims of officers of the department competent to be promoted”. The Finance Member, Sir Archibald Rowlands, said no question of racial discrimination was involved….

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2021