PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 527
helping any particular political party. It seems to me that to allow the civil or military servants of the Government to take past in party politics is nothing short of sowing the seeds of subverting the Government. That point can never be forgotten, it seems to me. If our Secretariat servants were allowed to form a political organisation as against the existing Government that they wish to bring about, what would happen to the administration ? Could they be expected to be loyal to a government which they intended to overthrow by their political activities ? It seems to me the whole administration will come down to pieces. Secondly, it must be remembered—and I emphasise it because I find that it is not generally remembered as it ought to be—that whether the political party of the government, the Ministers and so on, is partial or impartial or whether they side on one side or the other is a matter of small moment. What is of importance is the impartiality of the administration. The administration, in my judgment, is far more important than government as such. And supposing the administration was permitted to associate itself with political parties, would the administration be impartial ? Would they not favour those who work with them and disfavour those who do not work with them ? What would happen to the administration ? Therefore, I am very strongly opposed to the suggestion made by my friend. Mr. Khandubhai Desai or by Mr. Gokulbhai Bhatt that the administrtation should be permitted to take part in politics or to help any particular candidate by holding meetings for him, for canvassing, for collecting funds, and this, that or the other. I think it is absolutely subversive of civil and military government
Shri Bhatt (Bombay) : That is not the idea behind my suggestion.
Shri Khandubhai Desai (Bombay) : You were not replying to my minute regarding the activities of ordinary employees of Government in support of any candidate.
Dr. Ambedkar: I thought you were dealing with it generally, but if you were to move an amendment then the matter will be debated at a later date. I have plenty of material