902 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
and opinions either in favour or against the Bill have been expressed both in the Press and on public platforms and even in this House on many occasions. I have no doubt in my mind that if the opinions are scrutinised very well, they will disclose not merely an opposition to the provisions of the Code
Shri Sonavane (Bombay) : On A point of order, Sir. We are now dealing with clause 2 relating to “Application of the Code”. The discussion should be on scope of clause 2 and not a general discussion. Is the hon. Member allowed to have a general discussion on the Code as such ?
Shri Syamnandan Sahaya : May I, Sir, with your permission, say…….
Mr. Speaker : There is no point of order. I just explained a few minutes ago that when you are discussing the “Application of the Code”, when you want to include certain communities or exclude certain communities, it becomes perfectly competent and relevant to show how the various provisions adversely affect or benefit the communities. That is why I said it is very difficult to restrict the whole discussion at this stage to specifically certain portions of the Bill. For example, I believe, yesterday, Sardar Hukam Singh, went into the question of marriages and went into the question of succession. It could not be excluded as irrelevant discussion because it is sought to enact that this Bill should apply to Sikhs also. He is perfectly entitled to show how this Bill adversely affected the Sikhs in the matter of marriages or customs or succession. That is how the points are interconnected. Therefore, it will be better if such points are not raised over and over again.
Shri Sonavane: But, Sir………
Mr. Speaker : Order, order.
Shri Syamnandan Sahaya : As I was saying, if the opinions so far expressed—they are quite voluminous—and are in the possession of the Hon. Law Member himself—are carefully scrutinised, they would not merely disclose the opposition to the various provisions of this Code, but would also disclose an anguish, a feeling of anxiety, and a feeling of great concern, among the Hindu community over this Code. I know and I fully realise the sincerity of purpose of those who want to lead the community on a different channel. This is nothing new in history. Every reformer, perhaps, would not have been a reformer, if he had not thought that what he himself thought of religion was the right thing and that every other thing, as was said here by