DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 707
I would like to tell my honourable sister Shrimati Renuka Ray, who is not present here at the moment and other sisters that as elections are likely to be held after a few months, this question can then be placed by them before the public. You can tell the people that we have framed such a Hindu Code Bill and want to pass it. If the people vote in your favour on this issue, then we can surely pass it here.
Thus, I would like to request the Government to consider over this matter and not to pass it at this moment. To conclude, I would say this much, “Not to the left, not to the right, come in the middle to find out the golden mean.”
Shri R. K. Sidhva (C. P. and Berar : General): Sir, My friend has mentioned the Parsi Matrimonial Act. Will you kindly give me five minutes to explain?
Mr. Deputy Speaker : I am not going to allow it because he did not criticise it in any manner. He said the Parsi Marriage Bill was sent round to all persons all over the world. He used that as an agrument in the case of this Bill which involves three hundred millions people. Therefore on that ground the Hon. Member cannot claim a right to speak.
Shri R. K. Sidhva : No. Sir, He has made incorrect statements.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Then the Hon. Member must have brought it to my notice. We cannot start an argument over every matter.
Shri R. K. Sidhva : Have I no right to speak on this Bill ?
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Every Member has a right to speak, I have absolutely no doubt about it. Only time does not seem to permit.
- Dr. Bakhshi Tek Chand (East Punjab : General): Sir, the debate on the Bill has gone on for several days. Both sides of the question have been put before you. I do not want to repeat the arguments which have been given on the one side or the other. I have only two submissions to make, one to the supporters of the Bill and one to opponents of the Bill and after that I have to place one suggestion for consideration of the House for such changes as I think should be made in the Bill to make it acceptable to all or at any rate to a large part of the House and also of the country. I will ask the indulgence of the House therefore for a few minutes to permit me to place my views before it.
The first suggestion that I have to make to the opponents of the Bill is this. They say that this House is not competent to touch the
*C.A. (Leg.) D., Vol. VI, Part II, 14th December 1949, pp.585-99.