1206 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
The newpapers have a right to criticise anybody and everybody. I personally would not mind if any pressman criticises me. Let them criticise—they have their own point of view. Let us not be so thin-skinned,
So far as aspersions on the Chair are concerned, by any person either inside or outside the House, I would take strong exception and if you feel that the apology offered is not satisfactory, you should take action against the person concerned.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : So far as I am concerned, I am satisfied with what he has written. It is, therefore, unnecessary to pursue the matter. If, however, any hon. Member feels that this letter casts any aspersion on him, we shall look into it. At present I do not think any aspersion is cast on any hon. Member or on the House.
Shri Santhanam : Is it suggested that only Government is liable to criticism and not the Members ?
Dr. Deshmukh : While Mr. Gupta wrote the letter with the intention of clarifying his position so far as the cartoon was concerned, he has unnecessarily gone out of his way to criticise a section of the Members by alleging that they were obstructing this measure.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : This letter consists of two parts. So far as the Chair is concerned and the privilege of the House is concerned, the matter may be left to me. I am satisfied with what he has written. If, however, any hon. Member feels that it casts any aspersion on him, he may meet me in my chamber and we shall discuss the matter.
Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : What objection could be taken to that ? Mr. Deshbandhu himself took four hours on the Press Bill; our friend Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad took seven hours on this Bill.
Dr. Deshmukh : It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
In regard to what you said about yourself and the conduct of business in the House. I want to say a word with your permission and that is this. Whereas I sincerely welcome all your interruptions and the help you give for the conduct of the business of the House, I would like to point out with all due respect, that if the debate is allowed to go on, probably we might spend lesser time. I have the utmost respect for the Chair and it intervenes only with the idea of helping the proceedings. But if it could be minimised and help given only when it is necessary, we will probably be able to advance better.
Shri Bharati (Madras) : It is a direction to the Chair which is uncalled for.