Now, when it comes to the intelligence of the people of the States as voters, I would say–and I am very well acquainted with my province–that there is no difference between the intelligence, the awareness of the general electorate in the provinces and in the States. If you consider that the electorate’s ignorance results in this kind of nominations and directions from the Centre, then I would say it was a mistake on our part to introduce adult franchise in our Constitution I would say that if we do not have any belief in the people, then let us have adult franchise gradually. Of course, personally I do not share that view. I say that as an argument only. I believe that once democracy is introduced, if people make any mistakes, they will immediately learn from those mistakes, and that is the way democracy can grow and that is why, speaking from my experience not only in my own province and in the States of Orissa but also in Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Bharat, this is a retrograde measure, this article 306B. Sardar Vallabhbhai has accomplished the integration of the whole country into one whole and has got rid of autocracy in such a short time. This retrograde article 306B will detract a great deal from the good that he and the States Ministry have done.
