408 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
law got gradually crystallised. They did not dare to touch the personal law of the people of the country.
Babu Ramnarayan Singh: They brought in limited estate for women.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : I am coming to that straightaway. If I forget to reply to that point, kindly remind me. Hindu Law is such a vast subject that I can talk for hours on it, if the Chair permits me to do so. I assure you, Sir, I am not going to do that.
I protest in the first place against the manner in which this Bill has been sought to be smuggled into this House and through this House. It is an extraordinary procedure, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Shrimati Renuka Ray : I object, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, to this insult to the House.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : It is not a point of order,
Shrimati Renuka Ray : This is a point of order, Sir. I object to the remarks made against the house.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra: ‘Smuggling” I have never understood to be an unparliamentary word. If the honourable member thinks that there is any stigma attaching to it. I would use another word in substitution thereof. I would say that the haste with this Bill sought to be passed in the House is extraordinary. Is that also an unparliamentary word ? If so, give a parliamentary expression for that. You cannot find a substitute for it. ( An Honourable Member: ‘Commendable speed'). It is a most extraordinary procedure that has been adopted in this House. I have some little experience of parliamentary activity in this House. I have never known an occasion when a Bill of this importance and magnitude has been sought to be passed in the way it is done now.
Shri Brajeshwar Prasad (Bihar : General): It will never be passed. ( Interruption ) .
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra: I like interruptions but I could not catch what he said. If the honourable-members think that by constantly interrupting me in this way the effectiveness of my speech will be marred they are mistaken.
The Bill was introduced on the last day of the last Budget session.
Babu Ramnarayan Singh : Last hour.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : You know very well how a Bill of this importance and magnitude, a Bill which seeks to regulate the life and conduct of Hindu society was introduced on the last day of