Sir, I take this opportunity simply to express myself on this point which has been for a long time agitating the minds of the people of Rajasthan. Ever since Sirohi was taken under the administration of’ Bombay as a Centrally administered area, the Provincial Congress Committee and the other Congress committees in Rajputana have been passing resolutions that it should not be taken away from Rajasthan and should be placed under the administration of Rajasthan Government. Yesterday it was in the air that Sirohi has been vivisected, part of it going to Rajasthan and part of it to Bombay. As a matter of fact the people’s desire in this case has been that the hill station of Mount Abu is not in any case taken away from them. Mount Abu is the most beautiful spot and the only hill station in that area, which fascinates the attention and attraction of all the people living there. This has been the only health resort and sanatorium for the people of Rajasthan, who want to go to one. Mount Abu therefore happens to be the apple of discord in this case. It is, therefore, a painful surprise for those who live in Rajasthan that it has been taken away from them. It is, however, not yet clear whether Mount Abu remains with Rajasthan or forms part of Bombay. It would have been much better that if any part of Sirohi were to be partitioned off then this House should have been informed about it in good time and the people told what part goes to Rajasthan and what part to Bombay. At present everything is almost in the dark. We are all in the dark about it and it is really surprising that without even taking the people into confidence and without even consulting the local congress committee this division has been gone through. It is claimed that this Constitution would bear the stamp of the free will and consent of the people of India and of its component parts. I do not think it will be in consonance with this principle that we have accepted if Sirohi is divided into parts without even ascertaining the wishes of the people. We have the utmost respect and admiration for our leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I implore him that in this case he may kindly note our feelings. If any orders have been passed already I wish that such orders are reconsidered and revised before this constitution is ombayed. The State of Sirohi including Mount Abu should go to the province to which it rightly belongs, and to the people who have made of Mount Abu what it is today.
