Sri Aurobindo
Karmayogin
Political Writings and Speeches — 1909-1910
Karmayogin: A Weekly Review
Saturday 29th January 1910 — No.30
Facts and Opinions
The High Court Assassination
The startling assassination of Deputy Superintendent Shams-ul-Alam on Monday in the precincts of the High Court, publicly, in daylight, under the eyes of many and in a crowded building, breaks the silence which had settled on the country, in a fashion which all will deplore.
The deceased officer was perhaps the ablest, most energetic and most zealous member of the Bengal detective force.
It was his misfortune that he took the leading part not only in the Alipur Bomb Case in which he zealously and untiringly assisted the Crown solicitors, but in the investigation of the Haludbari and Netra dacoities.
The nature of his duties exposed him to the resentment of the small Terrorist bodies whose continued existence in Bengal is proved by this last daring and reckless crime.
Under such circumstances a man carries his life in his hand and it seems only a matter of time when it will be struck from him.
We have no doubt that the Government will suitably recognise his services by a handsome provision for his family.
As for the crime itself, it is one of the boldest of the many bold acts of violence for which the Terrorists have been responsible.
We wish we could agree with some of our contemporaries that the perpetrators of these deplorable outrages are dastards and cowards; for, if it were so, Terrorism would be a thing to be abhorred, but not feared.
On the contrary, the Indian Terrorist seems to be usually a man fanatical in his determination and daring, to prefer public places and crowded buildings for his field and to scorn secrecy and a fair chance of escape.
It is this remarkable feature which has distinguished alike the crimes at Nasik, London, Calcutta, to say nothing of the assassination of Gossain in jail.
With such men it is difficult to deal.
Neither fear nor reasoning, disapprobation nor isolation can have any effect on them.
Nor will the Government of this country allow us to use what we believe to be the only 
effective means of combating the spread of the virus among the people.
All we can do is to sit with folded hands and listen to the senseless objurgations of the Anglo-Indian Press, waiting for a time when the peaceful expression and organisation of our national aspirations will no longer be penalised.
It is then that Terrorism will vanish from the country and the nightmare be as if it never had been.