constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

announcement regarding the procedure you propose to follow in connection with the Bill before us, that
will have a very important bearing on the discussions that will take place shortly. You have drawn our
attention to two points.
The first point is that as the principles underlying this Bill were accepted by the Assembly a few
months back, no amendment should be brought forward which would question any of these principles or
would seek to make any alteration in them. Sir, this is a matter......
Mr. President: I qualified that by "ordinarily".
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru: It all depends on how the Chair will interpret this word. But I
remember that when the discussions on the principles embodied in the Bill were going on, it was said
several times that we should have a better opportunity for expressing our opinions later when the whole
picture was before us. This is a matter that, I venture to think, Sir, deserves your serious attention. We
might, a few months back, have accepted certain conclusions, but if, either after studying the Act as a
whole, or after further reflection, any of us comes to the conclusion that any of these principles should
be modified or completely altered, his right to express his opinion should not be questioned.
Mr. President: I may say at once that I do not propose to rule out any discussion. It will be for the
House to decide whether it will go back on any of its decisions. As Chairman, I do not propose to rule out
any discussion or reconsideration.
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru: The House will certainly have the right to decide whether it will go
back on any of its previous decisions. If it does not approve any change in the principles accepted by it
some time ago, it will be open to it to throw out any suggestion for a change made by any Member. But
what I have said, is due to the fact that I am under the impression that it was your intention to rule out
certain amendments.
Mr. President: I am sorry if I left that impression.
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru: I am very glad to hear from you, Sir, that this is not your intention. It
is therefore not necessary for me to discuss this aspect of your pronouncement any more.
I now come to the second point which you asked the House to bear in mind in giving notice of
amendments in future. You said that you would allow amendments to be proposed till 5 o'clock on
Sunday next, but that thereafter you would not admit any new amendment for discussion, unless it
seemed to you to relate to a matter of importance. I think, Sir, we all appreciate the substance of what
you have said. As far as possible, our discussion should be canalized in proper channels and should relate
to such points only a sought to be considered by the House again. Your advice therefore in regard to the
character of the amendments would naturally carry great weight with every Member of this House. But I
submit, Sir, that no amendment, no matter when received, ought to be automatically ruled out on the
ground that it was not received by 5 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. It is the duty of the Chair to regulate
the discussion and I have no doubt that every Member of this House is anxious to help the Chair in its
onerous task, particularly as the which every Member of the House ought to be jealous. We have under
the rules the right to give notice of amendments at any stage we like, and provided they are received
within the time allotted by the rules, our right to put forward new amendments cannot be questioned. It
cannot be questioned even by you, Sir.
I therefore suggest that when you consider any amendment that is proposed, to be superfluous, or to
relate to a very unimportant matter, you may well advise the Member concerned to save the time of the
House by withdrawing it. But should he insist on expression his view, even on an unimportant matter, I