DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 297
the office on the 28th August 1948. There are twenty-four amendments mentioned in this list and Mr. Sarwate’s amendment stands as the fourth on this list.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : These notices were all for the last session. These notices have all lapsed at the end of that session. Only those amendments, copies of which have been placed on the table before each honourable Member now, these only will have to be taken for consideration. The other notices have lapsed. Therefore further debate will be continued by Seth Govind Das.
*** Seth Govind Das :** (English translation of the Hindi speech) Mr. Deputy Speaker, I find that the supporters and opponents of this Bill can be divided into four groups. One of the opponent groups consists of those persons who oppose this measure with the same viewpoint as was exhibited by certain antagonists at the time of enactment of law for the abolition of Sati, the law which was got passed by the late Shri Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar for widow-remarriage and the measure put forth by Mr. Sharda for the prevention of child marriages being brought on the Statute Book. At the time of Sharda Bill, I was a member of the Council of State and I personally know the opposition that was then meted out to this Bill. This group is of the opinion that no change can be made in that what has been prescribed in the text of our Vedas, Shastras and Smritis. I do not belong to that group. It would be noticed even from reference to our Dharmashastras that if one Rishi (Sage) said something from time to time, the other said something else. Had this not been the case, our Rishi would not have written. Smritis numbering more than one hundred. If you go through these Smritis, you will find that the tenets laid down in one Smriti differ those contained in the other. Each of these Smritis enunciates a different principle. Then just as I have stated, I am not one of tliose groups who have opposed almost all the reforms that have been introduced hithertofore.
The second opposing group is that which on the one hand believe that there is obviously a necessity for making reforms in these affairs, but on the other hand, it holds that this is not the proper time for the enactment of such a legislation. This should be brought forth only after the new elections have taken place, and when our new representatives have been elected. I would like to say that there will
*C.A. (Leg.) D., Vol II, Part II, 24th February 1949, pp. 861-71.