906 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
various entries which are included, either in List I, List II or List III; and if we want to give them any exemption from these entries, then to what extent we should give sure about. We cannot give any assurance to any newspaperman here and now that we have made a case which is fool-proof and knave-proof. We cannot give that assurance. So we had better decide the particular question whether we do want to give protection to newspapers from the operation of the various entries. That is the main question.
*Mr. President : You should also consider the question whether it does not offend against Article 13.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : On that we have some views and if you are prepared to hear, I will submit them.
† The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I should like at the outset to state what the point of order is, or how I have understood it, because I should like to be corrected at the outset, if I am wrong. The point of order seems to be this that in view of the fact that this Assembly has passed article 13 which is a part of the Fundamental Rights and which says that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech or expression,—in view of this, as it open to this House to pass an article which would curtail the fundamental right given by article 13 ? I take it that is the point that we have now to consider.
In support of the proposition that this House is now debarred from considering any proposal which would have the effect of limiting freedom of speech, there has been cited a judgement of the Supreme Court of the United States in which—I have not read the whole thing, but only parts— it has been said that any tax levied on the press is ultra vires, in view of the fact—I am using the language of the United States—that it abridges the freedom of the press.
Shri Deshbandhu Gupta : Barring income-tax. It is stated in the judgement itself.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Now, Sir, it is not clear from the statement of fact of that particular case what the nature of the particular tax was which was called in question, nor is it clear as to the severity of that particular tax which was called in
*CAD, Vol. IX, 1st September 1949, p. 845.
† Ibid ., pp. 848-851.