782 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
I already referred to that portion of May’s Parliamentary Practice, expulsion of a Member or suspending him is an additional remedy because he is a Member of Parliament. Anybody inside or outside may commit a contemt of the House. Merely because he is a member we have more jurisdiction over him than over the other person. So far as the other person, that is the outsider, is concerned, in the very nature of things we cannot expel or suspend him because he is not a Member. Therefore, all the same, whether one is a Member or an outsider one may commit a contempt of the house. It is only so far as the remedy is concerned that in the altered circumstances that remedy may have to be altered. But we do not come out of the seizin of this motion that has been moved already. When it was originally quite in order. I do not think by a unilateral resignation or withdrawal from the house all the further proceedings can be terminated.
Regarding the other matter I shall consider it at leisure. Whoever wanted to speak now, let him not be under the impression that I will not hear. It is not on the floor of the House that I need hear him. He may communicate his opinion to me.
Pandit Maitra: On what ? We are not interested in the merits.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: All the matters: when the resignation takes effect; merely because the Member resigns, when his conduct has been brought to the notice of the House, whether by his mere resignation this House loses its jurisdiction—when, particularly, it has jurisdiction even with respect to persons who are not Members of this House if they commit a contempt of the House. That is a point which hon. Members have to note. If a person committed contempt of the House outside, there is no question of resignation. The House will still not stultify itself but proceed against him. Whether the position is changed by mere resignation is a matter which we have to consider. At present I do not think it alters the position except in regard to the remedial portion, that is as to what remedy has to be applied.