[Letter to N Dandeker]

Summary

This three-page English correspondence from September 1968 records internal Swatantra Party discussion of proposed constitutional amendments concerning Fundamental Rights. In his letter of 16 September, M. R. Masani tells N. Dandekar that the Central Parliamentary Board’s approval of Mohammed Imam’s amendment conflicts with an earlier party-approved amendment by Meghrajji of Dhrangadhra, which supported requiring a referendum for changes to Fundamental Rights. Masani asks that the Board reconsider its resolution and inform Imam accordingly.

The enclosure consists of Dandekar’s 13 September covering letter to Prof. N. G. Ranga and extracts from the Central Parliamentary Board’s 31 August meeting minutes. The minutes reiterate opposition to Nath Pai’s bill to undo the Supreme Court’s judgment on Fundamental Rights, while noting Imam’s proposed exception allowing Parliament to amend constitutional provisions other than Articles 12 to 35. The documents show the party attempting to maintain a consistent constitutional position while weighing parliamentary amendment against constituent-assembly or referendum safeguards.

Key points

• Masani objects to the Central Parliamentary Board’s approval of Mohammed Imam’s amendment to Nath Pai’s constitutional amendment bill.
• The dispute concerns whether Fundamental Rights should be amendable through Parliament.
• An earlier party-approved amendment by Meghrajji of Dhrangadhra and M. R. Masani proposed requiring a referendum.
• The enclosed minutes record opposition to Nath Pai’s effort to undo a Supreme Court judgment on Fundamental Rights.
• The minutes describe Imam’s proposal to permit amendment of constitutional provisions outside Articles 12 to 35.
• Masani asks the Board to modify its resolution and notify Imam.