698 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
their purpose. A bill to amend the Civil Marriage Act was brought forward in 1921 with the same object as now. Why are you going to
frame a Hindu code, why not frame an Indian code ? All the people live in the same country—India; they ought to have similar ways and customs. When we have decided on one common language there should also be
one common code for all the people of India so that this might lead to unity and result in a united India. I want to tell you about that period. The Christians and the Muslims raised such an opposition that Dr. Gaur
had to say : ‘It aroused convulsive opposition from the Mohammedan and Parsi communities throughout India. I had no other go but to drop the Bill and bring a new bill in 1923.’
And he had taken that course. The Hindu society is not treated with any regard. No consideration is shown to a community which comprises
such vast numbers. No consideration is shown to the counsel of Malaviyaji, leave alone Pattabhi sahib, Sir Alladi and Lakshmi Kanta Maitra. What they say is of no importance. Let alone others, here is
the case of Rajendra Babu who is known as Ajatshatru. He is a living treasure-house of wisdom and intelligence and is the ornament of this country. Who has put the ideas of Gandhiji into practice and who could
explain them not only to this country but also to the rest of the world. He says, ‘This is not the opportune time’. There are many things in it which are controversial. Please sift them out and do not touch upon them.
But, what to do? Our leaders say, ‘No, this has to be expedited.’ Then, let them expedite it but they should at least see to it that the views and assent of all the people are obtained. There is one advantage in
particular seized by Dr. Ambedkar, I will tell you what that advantage was. When this Bill was introduced in 1948 we all sat together and decided that nobody should make a speech on it for the present. Neither
Dr. Ambedkar nor anyone else said anything in particular. At that time it was thought that if the Bill was just introduced this was likely to cause satisfaction to our sisters and to others who are reformists, who
want unification and codification and to those who are rational. So it was agreed to let them have that satisfaction. Taking advantage of this, however, Dr. Ambedkar thought that it had been conceded by the people
generally that the Bill was all right. No sir, we did not study some of its clauses some of its provisions. But, since our leaders said, ‘Let it move forward a bit’, we said ‘ Very well, take it forward. Bring it in the Bazaar’. Thus