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Constitution of India
Part III — Fundamental Rights
Article35

Legislation to give effect to the provisions of this Part

Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution,— (a) Parliament shall have, and the Legislature of a State shall not have, power to make laws— (i) with respect to any of the matters which under clause (3) of article 16, clause (3) of article 32, article 33 and article 34 may be provided for by law made by Parliament; and (ii) for prescribing punishment for those acts which are declared to be offences under this Part, and Parliament shall, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Constitution, make laws for prescribing punishment for the acts referred to in sub-clause (ii); (b) any law in force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in the territory of India with respect to any of the matters referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause (a) or providing for punishment for any act referred to in sub -clause (ii) of that clause shall, subject to the terms thereof and to any adaptations and modifications that may be made therein under article 372, continue in force until altered or repealed or amended by Parliament. Explanation.— In this article, the expression "law in force'' has the same meaning as in article 372. PART IV DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

In plain language

Only Parliament — not State legislatures — can make certain laws that this Part requires, including punishments for untouchability and for traffic in human beings.

This wording has been in force since 1950 on this desk.

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Part IIIFundamental Rights