PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 821
(43)
*DR. AMBEDKAR’S LETTER OF RESIGNATION
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I said that at Six O’clock Dr. Ambedkar may make his statement if he likes. I do not find him in his seat. Under the rules, immediately after the question hour is over, any hon. Minister who has resigned can, with the consent of the Speaker, be allowed to make a statement. Today the question hour was over this morning after the shortnotice question and Dr. Ambedkar piloted the Delimitation of Constituencies Motions and that is why it could not be done immediately when he wanted to make a statement. Thereafter, I thought, in keeping with the practice, either he may do it immediately after the questions or at the close of the day at Six O’clock. Therefore I fixed 6 O’clock. I would be only too glad to give him an opportunity now, but he is not here.
6-00 P . M .
As regards the copy of his statement, it is true when he wanted to make an oral statement, at the time he approached me in the Chamber, I could not anticipate and ask him to put the thing in writing and give it me. It was not right. Therefore I allowed him to make a statement and even said that I would suspend the rules, if he could not make the statement immediately after the question hour. But this morning I found that what he wanted to make by way of a statement, he had put it in writing and had given a copy to the Prime Minister, who is also the Leader of the House. Naturally, I sent word through the Secretary, sufficiently in advance or long before he rose to make his statement, to send me a copy of the statement. I am sorry to say that he would not furnish me with a copy. I do not know why. I have to regulate the debate ; not that I wanted to interfere with the statement at all. When any statement is read before
*P. D., Vol. 16, Part II, 11th October 1951, pp. 4730-37.