[For Favour of Publication]

Summary

Dated July 23, 1969, this one-page press note by M. R. Masani reports a letter signed by 55 members of both Houses of Parliament and addressed to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The signatories appeal to her to uphold parliamentary traditions and the rule of law by refraining from introducing bank-nationalisation legislation until the Supreme Court has ruled on the validity of the nationalisation measure and the manner in which the ordinance was promulgated.

The note presents delaying legislation as a practical constitutional safeguard: once the Supreme Court judgment became available, Parliament and the Government would know what form of legislation could withstand judicial scrutiny. It argues that waiting would avoid a later reference to the Supreme Court and the possible striking down of a parliamentary bill. The document closes by listing several prominent signatories, including A. B. Vajpayee, M. R. Masani, N. Dandekar and others. No title, publisher, or issuing organisation is printed on the page.

Key points

• The press note reports a letter signed by 55 members of both Houses of Parliament.
• The letter urges the Prime Minister to respect parliamentary traditions and the rule of law.
• Its immediate request is that bank-nationalisation legislation be deferred until the Supreme Court gives its judgment.
• The signatories distinguish challenges to the validity of bank nationalisation from challenges to the promulgation of the ordinance.
• The proposed delay is presented as a practical way to avoid legislation later being struck down by the Supreme Court.
• The note says there would be sufficient time to pass a bill through both Houses during the second half of August.
• Prominent signatories named include A. B. Vajpayee, M. R. Masani, N. Dandekar and other parliamentarians.