DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 27
But it has been pointed in the objections that there is no public opinion behind this Bill. It is pointed out in some of the objections that only some of the educated section and some of the ultra-modern section are behind it, but the masses, most of whom are ignorant, are indifferent to it and it has not been fully circulated in the way a subject of this importance should have been. In these circumstances, I submit this for the consideration of the House that it would have been better if the House gave directions to the Select Committee in matters of a disputed nature, but in this case we are sending the Bill without any directions. I should seek a little clarification from the Honourable Minister for Law. With these few words, Sir, I hope the points raised in the objections would be carefully considered and due decisions would be reached.
With regard to the personnel of the Select Committee, nothing could be said. The ablest, the most authorititave and most well-informed of the Members have been taken in it and I hope and believe that they will do full justice to the objections raised against the Bill.
*** Shrimati Hansa Mehta** (Bombay : General): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I congratulate the Honourable Minister for bringing this Bill even at
6-00 P.M.
this late hour of the Session. I also congratulate or
rather I express my sense of gratitude to Sir B. N.
Rau and his colleagues for the great labour they have bestowed on the Report on which these recommendations are based. This Bill to codify the Hindu Law is a revolutionary Bill and though we are not quite satisfied with it, it will be a great landmark in the social history of the Hindus. But since this Bill was drafted many things have happened and one of the biggest things that has happened is the achievement of our political freedom. Our new Constitution is in the making; we have already agreed upon the fundamental principles on which this new Constitution is to be drafted. The new State is going to be a democratic State and democracy is based on the equality of individuals. It is from this point of view that we have now to approach the problems of inheritance and marriage etc. that are before us. The Select Committee will therefore, have to see that the new Bill is drafted on these principles.
*C.A. (Leg.) D., Vol. IV, 9th April 1948, pp. 3642-44.