440 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
the ages successfully it is because those who guide the affairs of the society had in time suggested changes suitable to the times. That is the reason why it has survived till now. Here is an attempt to bring the law in line with public opinion. What the law does is that it consolidates the public opinion but public opinion being dynamic by its very nature it goes ahead every now and then. It is like a horizon which recedes the nearer one goes to it. Modern society by its very nature progresses very quickly. Therefore, we have to adjust public opinion and the law of the land. There are other means by which it can be done, like legal fiction or equity but the best and the honest way is to do it by a piece of legislation. I think here is an attempt in that direction. Although I agree that it is revolutionary, it is a planned revolution and therefore it is going to be a success.
- Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : I have but a short time at my disposal. (Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Why? You have your own time.) I mean comparatively short time for the enormous subject which I have to deal with and I hope the House will give the subject that amount of thought and attention which I have given to it ( An honourable Member: What have you to do with it ?) At the very outset I am asked what I have to do with it. I say I have every thing to do with it. Two very enormous changes have taken place in the country. One is that we have decided to shed our communal character and the other is that we have decided to impose upon ourselves the benefits of joint electorates. Can any honourable gentleman in this House deny the right of a Muslim to’ think in the same way as a large part of the Hindus think? After all we have to live with Hindus. In West Bengal they form 80 per cent and we have to live with them and think with them. Come with me to West Bengal. Pandit Maitra put the case of the opposition in Bengal very mildly when he said that there is serious opposition to this Bill ....
Shrimati Renuka Ray : There is equally and more serious support.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Come with me to West Bengal. I am not speaking on behalf of the orthodox section. With regard to that aspect of this legislation I have nothing to do. I have certain serious questions to raise before the House which have not been raised up till now. The objection in Bengal is so serious that if anybody undertakes a journey to ascertain public opinion—( Interruption ) I mean intelligent and advanced public opinion—if anyone will go there, if anyone will make a journey from town to town in West Bengal, he
- C.A. (Leg.) IX. Vol. II. Part II, 1st March 1949, pp. 1020-30.