1052 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
‘304. An amendment of the Constitution may be initiated by the introduction of a Procedure for Bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament amendment of and when the Bill is passed in each House by a the Constitution. majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting, it shall be presented to the President for his assent and upon such assent being given to the Bill the Constitution shall stand amended in accordance with the terms of the Bill:
Provided that if such amendment seeks to make any change in—
(a) any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule, or
(b) the representation of States in Parliament, or
(c) Chapter IV of Part V, Chapter VII of Part VI, and article 213A of this Constitution,
the amendment shall also require to be ratified by the Legislatures of not less than one half of the States for the time being specified in Parts I and III of the First Schedule.’ ”
I will move my other amendment also, No. 207. I move:
“That in amendment No. 118 of List III (English Week), for the proviso to the proposed article 304 the following proviso be substituted :—
‘Provided that if such amendment seeks to make any change in—
(a) article 43, article 44, article 60, article 142 or article 213A of this Constitution, or
(b) Chapter IV of Part V, Chapter VII of Part VI, or Chapter I of Part IX of this Constitution, or
(c) any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule, or
(d) the representation of States in Parliament, or
(e) the provisions of this article,
the amendment shall also require to be ratified by the Legislatures of not less than one half of the States for the time being specified in Parts I and III of the First Schedule by resolutions to that effect passed by those Legislatures before the Bill making provision for such amendment is presented to the President for assent.’ ”
Sir, I do not wish to say anything at this stage because I anticipate that there would be considerable debate on this article and I propose to reserve my remarks towards the end so that I may be in a position to explain the points that might be raised against this amendment.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : It is far better to give the arguments in advance to avoid any unnecessary debate.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: If my friend will guarantee to me that he will not take time, I will do it, but I know my friend will have his cake and eat it too.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Sir, Dr. Ambedkar will give no argument at the beginning, saying that he will await arguments and speak in reply. But in the end on hearing arguments, he will merely say “I oppose the amendments and reject the arguments”!