DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 407
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Let him proceed.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : Millions of dumb people, ignorant but not the less intelligent or sensible simply because they do not have the collegiate education, or are not members of the legislatures think that such a radical change in their personal law is not called for. They are not to be ignored.
Shrimati Renuka Ray : Then do not draw up the Constitution.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : I therefore feel that there is no sincerity in the acceptance of the principles of one uniform Civil Code for the whole country; or else, how could you, within two months of it, come out with this Hindu Code Bill which seeks to govern only the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists?
Shrimati Renuka Ray : Hindu Code came much before.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra: You have omitted Christians, Muslims, Parsis.
Maulana Hasarat Mohani : Muslims will never accept any interference in their personal law.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : You need not have reminded me. I know that. I perfectly appreciate the proposition of my honourable friend Maulana Hasrat Mohani. But all the same. I think this is a fundamental departure from the accepted principles in the Constitution.
When my honourable friend Shrimati Durgabai said that codification is justified. She tried to prove that an irresistible case had been made out for codification. With all respect to my sister Shrimati Durgabai I submit I stand unconvinced. I can understand the necessity for codification when the law is in a state of flux or that there is much diversity of opinion, or a good deal of vagueness or uncertainty about it. Codification should in such a case be undertaken by the best legal brains in the country silting together to give shape to the various principles of law which are more or less in a confusing or uncertain state. Is that the case with regard to Hindu law in this country ?
Shri Krishna Chandra Sharma (U. P.: General); It is.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : I accept your statement but I feel deep regret for the colossal ignorance you have exhibited. Hindu law, if my honourable friend is a lawyer and holds that view, he has not practised. He will please excuse this friendly retort. I can stand interruptions. If you interrupt me you will be only adding ginger to my speech. After the advent of the British to this country, the Hindu