912 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Shri Venkataraman (Madras) : But you were not.
Shri C. Subramaniam (Madras) : That is why he said “very near”.
Shri Alagesan : I would like to be completely convinced, but I am sorry to say that I am not convinced. I would still urge the Hon. the Law Minister to bring forward a common civil code, though he derided the idea and even went to the length of attributing motives to those who wanted such a thing. For instance, he asked : “How is it possible that those who oppose the Hindu Code tooth and nail would accept a common civil code ?” He questioned their motives. But I would respectfully ask him. “Why is it that they object to this Hindu Code ?” Is it not due to the fact—partly at least—that it does not apply to the entire nation ? It applies only to one community, however large a section it may be. Thus, this Code is only a sectional measure and it is not a common measure for all. Is not the opposition to it, at least partly, due to this fact it does not embrace the entire nation and the entire community ?
Again, he said that he would produce legislation tomorrow, as if anybody doubted his capacity to produce legislative texts. He threatened to bring the text of a common and universal code tomorrow and confront the House with considering it. But that is not the main thing about it. If he proposes to confront this House with a common civil code, then it has to be considered in all its aspects and bearings by one and all and he will be the first person to come forward with amendments to that code. He said yesterday that no legal ingenuity can improve upon the Indian Succession Act, but I am sure, the artist that he is, he will go on amending even the best piece of legislation. Even for this Hindu Code, we find that his amendments are larger in number than the amendments proposed by any other Member. He can amend, and amend because others want it and desire it.
Again, he went on to expatiate on the sovereign and supreme nature of this Parliament. Nobody ever questioned it, but the sovereignty and the supreme nature of this House need not have been affirmed at the cost of an insult to the master of this House. That was the unfortunate part of it. Though we are a sovereign body, we are subject to the people’s will and our sanction is the people’s will.
Babu Ramnarayan Singh (Bihar) : Hear, hear.
Dr. Ambedkar : Why don’t you live in the village rather than live here ? You will be a better master there than you are here.