424 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
regardless of all considerations whether it is a plant which can grow and thrive in that particular soil. If a particular institution has been found to work very satisfactorily in the South, it must be allowed to work there ; But if it is not found suitable for the soil of the North or the soil of the East or the soil of the West, I do not see any reason or justification for forcibly transplanting it there.
In fact my one very serious objection to the Hindu Code is this: for this craze for theoretical uniformity you ignore completely variety; you have got these things in this part and those things in that part: that itself shows that in this vast country of ours, peculiar social manners and customs have developed according to the needs of particular places or areas. They must be left undisturbed. In clause 7, however, the Bill provides an overriding power by which all usages, immemorial customs which have the sanction of law should be scrapped. I think it is clause 7.
An Honourable Member: It is clause 4.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra : I will take it on my friend’s authority. Sir, this in my opinion, is highly objectionable. Clear Proof of usage out-weighs the written text of Law. This is a well established dictum.
There are diversities of customs and manners because of the diverse needs of the people that compose this vast continent. And therefore:
Veda vibhinna Smritayah vibhinna,
Nasau munir Yasya matam Na Bhinnam.
Dharmasya Tattwam Nihitam Guhayam.,
Mahajano yena Gatah Sa Pantha
An Honourable Member: Let us all be mahajans.
Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra: Mahajan does not mean a moneylender.
That is the most unkindest cut of all. That indicates the depth to which society has fallen. We cannot think except in terms of rupee or dollar or shilling or pence. Mahajan has been variously interpreted : as great men; or majority of men. Take it in whatever sense you like.,
Veda khila Sadachar Swashya cha Priyamatmana,
Yasmin Deshe Yadachara
I do not want to weary this House with a lot of other quotations but this is such a subject that I cannot altogether avoid it if I am to convince honourable Members of the justice of my contention