PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 349
on for the time being. Such a process should not be hampered by the doctrine of non-discrimination. It is to get rid of this doctrine of non-discrimination in the matter of nationalisation that this particular amendment has been introduced and I do not think that the House will very seriously object to this kind of doing.
An Hon. Member: The same thing from the High Court.
Dr. Ambedkar: Now I come to clause 3, sub-clause (2) about which………
Dr. S. P. Mookerjee: Why have you omitted the word ‘reasonable’ from the existing clause ?
Dr. Ambedkar: The word ‘reasonable’ was not there. That is a matter which may be discussed. ( An Hon. Member ; In the Select Committee.) In the House, everywhere.
Now I come to clause 3, sub-clause (2). In order to understand what this amendment precisely does, I think it is necessary to go back to article 13. It is only in the light of article 13 that one can have a clear idea of this particular sub-clause 31. As hon. Members know, article 13 declares that if any law is inconsistent with the Fundamental Rights, that law shall be declared to be void and inoperative. As I have shown in the course of my observations, certain provisions of laws, such as sections 153A and 124A of the Indian Penal Code, certain provisions of the Press (Emergency Powers) Act and the Public Safety Acts have now been declared to be void by the Supreme Court and by the various High Courts. In view of this, what are we to do ? It seems to me that there are three alternatives which we could pursue. The first alternative is to refuse to amend the constitution and to let the void provision remain as it is. I do not think that any Member of this House would like this alternative. ( An Hon. Member : It would be disastrous). The second alternative is to amend the Constitution, and then under this, there are two courses open. The first course open to us is to re-enact this law in consonance with the amended article. That is one way. Parliament and the various State Legislatures should call in their sessions and tackle with these laws once