DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 387
Shri H. V. Kamath : I can say, I make bold to say that in the name of God who has created man and woman equal; in the name of the Mahatma, the Father of the Nation, who stood for the complete equality of man and woman; in the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who sought and accomplished the complete emancipation of man and woman to the extent of calling women to battle if need be ; in the name of God, in the name of Gandhi, in the name of Subhas, I think this Bill is a forward measure which will lead to the greater glory of Hindu society.
I have only one more remark to make. My honourable Friend, Dr. Ambedkar, said the other day in his peroration that either repair betimes or perish. We have to repair. Indeed we are repairing. I think the time has well-nigh come when, if we do not repair, then society will be rent in twain. A stitch in time will always save nine : otherwise the rent will grow more and more till society will be rent in twain.
I began, Sir, on Friday, the day before Maha Shivaratri and I am closing my brief remarks on the day after Maha Shivaratri. This day is sacred to the memory of one of the great women of the age—Mahasati Ma Kasturba and it is sacred to the memory of another great man—Swami Dayananda Saraswati. I hope their sprits—the spirits of Ma Kasturba and Swami Dayananda Saraswati—will inspire us in our work and help us in our difficult task. It is my hope and prayer to God that man and woman may travel together as pilgrims of life, dedicating themselves and consecreating their lives to the achievement of artha and kama, the artha and kama which are rooted in Dharma and which lead to the goal of moksha, the liberation from bondage, the goal of the Living God, in whom we live and move and have our being, and in whom all men, all women, all Creation, are equal, free and divine.
हरिओ{म् तत्सत् । ब्रह्मार्पणमस्तु
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad (West Bengal: Muslim): May I point out that I am getting more and more like an anachronism. ‘I have undertaken the task of opposing the original motion but I have not spoken up till now. It may be that the proper time I will be squeezed out. There are too many speakers to come. To-morrow at four o’clock I understand the closure motion will be put.
Mr. Chairman : It is impossible to squeeze out Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad. The honourable Member will have a chance. Mr. Jhunjhunwala.
Shri B. P. Jhunjhunwala (Bihar : General): I would like to speak at another time.