On this day, an editorial was published in the newspaper Bengalee, of which Surendranath Banerjea was the editor, against Justice Norris of Calcutta High Court.
Banerjea was served a writ, convicted and imprisoned for two months. The editorial claimed Justice Norris had hurt religious sentiments by bringing a Shaligram Shila to the court for a judicial process.
Banerjea’s imprisonment led to wide protests. A hartal was called in Calcutta. Students demonstrated against police outside the courthouse.
Public meetings were organised that were attended by thousands. Protests were held in Lahore, Amritsar, Agra, Faizabad and Poona.
The Statesman, published from Calcutta, brought out a series of articles against the verdict.
Banerjea is considered the first Indian to be imprisoned as a journalist.
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