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Governor-General, Western India States, who, after hearing Counsel on both sides, reserved his order. The Order was published on 12th July 1926, and was to the effect that the Jains should pay Rs. I lakh to the Palitana Durbar in commutation of his right to levy the pilgrims tax. He further ordered that the arrangement as regards the payment of Rs. 1 lakh should remain in force for 10 years.
In this order there are serveral points both of law and fact in which Mr. Watson has per. mitted his prejudice against the Jain community to get the better of bis sense of judicial propriety and legal exactness.
From the practical point of view the rise of 700 per cent. at a stroke, i.e. from Rs. 15,000 payable under the agreement of 1886 to Rs. 100,000 awarded by Mi. Watson, is the most astounding feature that has provoked the resentment not only of the Jain community but of the entire Indian public. Viewed in perspective with the previous stipulation with regard to successive rises, which began with 4,500 in 1821, to 10,000 in 1861, and 15,000 in 1886, the present Jump seems to be really of Hanuman dimensions, as described by Bahadursingji Singhi, the president of the Special Sessions of the Jain Conference held at Bombay on 31st July 1926 and on the ist, 2nd and 3rd August 1926. :
