Now, gentlemen, take the question of agriculture in this country.
The Indian village-life was the envy of the world at one time. What
are our villages now? How does our agriculture stand to-day? Has the
Government done anything on that behalf during the last 150 years,
which is at all worthy of a great nation and a great Government?
(Cries of 'no,' 'no'). Yes, the answer must be 'no'. Why not? Because
agriculture does not directly concern the bureaucracy of this country.
It may be necessary to start a department and call it department of
agriculture in the interest of the bureaucracy. That has been done--one
or two colleges which are not suited to our requirements have been
established. But has agriculture improved? I do not know whether in
the interest of the Bureaucracy it is necessary that it should. But it
is necessary for us. It is a matter of vital importance to the nation
that the cultivators of Bengal should prosper and live better lives
(hear, hear). It is a matter of supreme importance to those who want
self-government or swaraj in this country (hear, hear). We must look
forward to the whole Bengalee nation. We must work persistently, we
must look forward to the day when the Bengalees as a nation, Hindus
and Mahomedans, all together, will stand before the world in all the
glory of nationality (cheers). I say therefore the question is of vital
importance from the point of view of the nation. Who are the people
of Bengal? Not we, who conduct cases in court, not those who sit as
magistrates and judges. But who are they? It is those who cultivate
the land--they are the real nation (cheers) and if ever this country
rises--by God's grace, rise it must--and takes its place amongst
the nations of the world (Loud cheers)--well, long before that, the
agriculture of this country must be improved. That is one of the
reasons why we want Home rule. This is another chapter in the story of
the great denial (hear, hear).