REPUBLIC OF INDIA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25090, 23 January 1947, Page 7

REPUBLIC OF INDIA

Nehru’s Resolution Passed ASSEMBLY’S VOTE UNANIMOUS (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 12.15 a.m.) LONDON. Jan. 22. The Constituent Assembly unanimously agreed to Pandit Nehru’s resolution declaring the Assembly's resolve to proclaim an independent republic of India. Pandit Nehru, replying to the debate said: "There has been plenty of opportunity for the Moslems to come. Unfortunately they have not decided" to come and still hover in a state of indecision. We shall welcome them at any time, but it should be made clear without possibility of misunderstanding that no work will be held up whether they come or not.” Pandit Nehru, referring to the point raised that the idea of the people’s sovereignty was not acceptable to certain rulers of. Indian States, said: “It is a scandalous thing for any man to say he has any special divine rule over human beings. On the idea of the divine right of kings there is going to be no compromise. So far as we are concerned the States’ representatives can come at the earliest possible moment. We will welcome them if they are the proper representatives of the States.

We stand on the threshold of freedom. e don’t wish to carry a trail of hostility with us against any country. We want to be friendly with the British people, and the British Commonwealth of Nations.”

Earlier Dr. Jayakar (Liberal) withdrew his amendment seeking a postponement of the debate to allow the Moslem League time to decide whether it would participate in the Assembly. Mrs Pandit, leader of India’s delegation to the United Nations, said imperialism was struggling hard to prolong its hold upon countries like Burma, Indonesia, and Indo-China. India was not only fighting for her own freedom but also championing the cause of liberation of all dependent peoples.