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comma is necessary here, a semi-colon is necessary there, or article ‘a’ is proper here and article ‘the’ would be proper there and so on. But if my friend chooses to arrogate to himself the authority of a perfect grammarian so far as English is concerned, I would like to draw his attention to the Australian Constitution from which we have borrowed these words and the definite article ‘the’ is used there. So I take shelter or refuge under the Australian Constitution which, I suppose, we may take it, was drafted by men who were good draftsmen and who knew the English language and whom we cannot hold guilty of having committed an error in the language.
Mr. Vice-President : I put the amendment to vote.
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : Amenement No. 119, Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Sir, I beg to move :
“That in sub-clause (c) of clause (3) of Article 1, after the words ‘as may’ the word “hereafter” be inserted.
Sir, I have moved this amendment after, I believe, taking great risks of having to displease the Honourable Chairman of the Drafting Committee. But I have to submit most respectfully that things which occur to Members should be placed before the House and the opinion of the House should be taken. If 1 have offended any member by moving.......
Mr. Vice-President : There is no question to offending any one.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Sir, I beg to submit that the context indicates the word “hereafter” that is. States which may hereafter be acquired. So the word “hereafter” would be appropriate and I beg the House to consider insertion of this word.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I say it is quite unnecessary, and I oppose it.
Mr. Vice-President : I put the amendment to vole.
The amendment was negatived.
[The House was adjourned till 17th November 1948]
*Mr. Vice-President : (Dr. H. C. Mookherjee) : We shall now go on with the amendments. Amendment No. 126—Prof. Shah.
Prof. K. T. Shah (Bihar : General) : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I beg to move :
“That at the end of sub-clause (c) of clause (3) of article 1. the following he added :
‘or as may agree to join or accede to of merge with the Union’.”
[This was followed by speech of Prof. Shah.]
*CAD. (Official Report), Vol. VII, 17th November 1948. p. 425.