[Letter to J Mohammed Imam]

Summary

This untitled Swatantra Party Central Office letter, dated October 23, 1968, informs J. Mohammed Imam about the Central Parliamentary Board’s decision concerning an amendment to Mr. Nath Pai’s Bill on Fundamental Rights. Dandekar explains that the Board had permitted Imam to move his amendment at its August 31 meeting in New Delhi.

The letter records a subsequent communication from Minoo Masani, supported by the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra, arguing that Imam’s amendment would cause embarrassment because Masani and the Maharaja had already proposed an amendment requiring Fundamental Rights to be changed only through a referendum. The Board rejected Masani’s view and maintained its earlier decision, while asking Imam to withdraw his amendment only if Masani’s amendment were accepted. An extract from the Board’s minutes is enclosed, and copies are noted as being sent to Prof. N. G. Ranga and M. R. Masani.

Key points

• The letter is dated October 23, 1968, and is issued from the Swatantra Party Central Office in Bombay.
• The Central Parliamentary Board had permitted J. Mohammed Imam to move an amendment to Mr. Nath Pai’s Bill concerning Fundamental Rights.
• Minoo Masani argued that Imam’s amendment would cause embarrassment because Masani and the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra had already proposed a referendum requirement for amending Fundamental Rights.
• The Board declined to change its decision permitting Imam to table his amendment.
• Imam was asked to withdraw his amendment only if Masani’s amendment was accepted.
• An extract from the relevant Board minutes was enclosed, with copies to Prof. N. G. Ranga and M. R. Masani.