PAKISTAN OBSERVER
30th November 1955
OPPOSITION WALK OUT OF C.A.
Arrests Of Members Referred To Privileges Committee
HOUSE READJOURNED
KARACHI, NOV, 29: THE OPPOSITION MEMBERS TODAY STAGED WALK-OUT FROM THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY WHEN THE SPEAKER REFUSED TO CALL UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE THE TWO ARRESTED MEMBERS OF CONSEMBLY, SARDAR FAZLUL KHRIM AND MR. MAHMUD ALI, BEFORE THE HOUSE.
The Government Bench suggested that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee and then taken up by the House.
THE OPPOSITION HOWEVER, REFUSED TO ACCEPT THIS SUGGESTION AND INSISTED THAT THE SPEAKER SHOULD ORDER THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE THE TWO MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE.
APP adds:
PROCEEDINGS BOLD
The Constituent Assembly assembled at 3 p.m. here today. The Speaker Mr. Abdul Wahab Khan presided.
At the outset, Mr. Mujibur Rahman (Awami League) pointed out that two members of the Constituent Assembly Mr. Mahmood Ali (Ganatantri Dal-UF) and Sardar Fazlul Karim (Ind) had been arrested last week under the public Safety Act. The former was arrested in Karachi where he had come to attend the Constituent Assembly meeting and the latter was arrested in Dacca while emplaning for Karachi to attend the Assembly session.
He regretted the arrest of the two members of the Assembly at this juncture when it was confronted with the task of making the constitution for the country.
Describing the arrest as against the principles of “Justice, fairplay and equity” and an insult to the Speaker of the House, the House and the country, he said “according to the parliamentary conventions the Speaker of the House must be informed by the District Magistrate concerned if a member of the House is sought to be arrested.” The Prime Minister, he said, had often stated that the country would get democracy, fair and free elections and fairplay. But the arrest of the two members of the Constituent Assembly under the Public Safety Act indicated something else.
Mr. Mujibur Rahman said the Speaker was the custodian of the rights and privileges of the House and its members. He was Speaker today. But he might not be in the same position tomorrow. He was from East Bengal and he could also be a member of the opposition in the future. If today he allowed the arrest of other members of the House, he could also be arrested by a Sub-Inspector of Police. The members of the House who had some honesty of purpose and really wanted to give a democratic constitution to the country should have some respect for the principles of democracy. They should not allow such arrests go unchallenged, he said.