PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 597
would grow a beard for six months, present themselves as Sikhs and obtain a job reserved for the Sikhs, and subsequently shave themselves clean up and return to the Hindu fold. Consequently, a rule has been made by the Government of India that any person for whom any reservation has been made, shall produce a certificate from certain recognised authorities that he belongs to that particular class. Such a provision, undoubtedly and beyond question, would be in the interests of the Scheduled Castes themselves. I think I cannot say what exactly is the procedure that the Commissioner would think of himself in order to ensure that nobody other than the Scheduled Castes stands for these reserved seats. I should have thought that there could be no harm if a provision was made that every person who wants to put in his nomination paper for a reserved seat should obtain a certificate from a magistrate on the basis of an affidavit signed in his presence that to their knowledge this man belongs to the Scheduled Castes.
It might be a laborious or troublesome process ; but I think it would be better to have it rather than leave loop-holes for any other person to come in a fight for the seat.
Mr. Chairman : The question is :
“That clause 31, as amended, stand part of the Bill”.
The motion was adopted.
Clause 31, as amended, was added to the Bill.
Mr. Chairman : Does the hon. Member wish that I should put his amendment to the House ?
Ch. Ranbir Singh : I want to know the reaction of the Hon. Minister.
Dr. Ambedkar : I do not accept it.
Ch. Ranbir Singh : Then I would like to have the leave to withdraw it.
The amendment was by leave withdrawn.