REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (NO. 2) BILL - Page 559

542 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

Mr. Deputy Speaker: I think these doubts may better be cleared when the clauses are discussed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member invites the attention of the Hon. Minister, particularly about the Princes, how far they hold offices of profit etc. The hon. Member wants to impress his arguments on the Hon. Minister.

Dr. Ambedkar: I am sorry, another hon. Member was asking some questions about this.

Shri J. R, Kapoor: Are all pensioners in India disqualified ?

Shri Raj Bahadur: There are amendments to that effect also.

Therefore, to sum up my objection is that these are a privileged class and they should be ineligible to contest the elections. My objection does not proceed on mere legal or constitutional grounds. It is much more fundamental. I am not at all for a moment afraid of their entering the election contest with any of us in Part B States. So far as we are concerned we should like the common man to rub shoulders with the highest. But the position is that when they come into the election contest we will have to say things......

Mr. Deputy Speaker: If he holds an office of profit under article 102 he is disqualified for being chosen.

*P. D., Vol. 11, Part II, 10th May 1951, p. 8477.