Sir, it is very humiliating to me that, after you declare India a Republic on 26th January, 1950 certain powers of the King should be continued. Our legal authorities Dr. Ambedkar and Shri Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar think that the Privy Council enjoys powers in criminal cases. Sir, we have disestablished the King. Where then is His Majesty’s prerogative? I do not want any loophole should be left whereby the authority of the British nation should be perpetuated over us through the insertion of the words ‘or otherwise’. This is a simple issue, if the Privy Council is not to decide any of our cases, why should we take shelter under the words ‘or otherwise’? My friends the eminent lawyers like Mr. Munshi may say that I do not know law. But I know my political rights. I do not want that I should in any way be subjected to the sovereignty of India’s former masters the British King or the King’s Councillors.
