DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 797
Shri Tyagi: Withdraw the Bill : that is the best economy of time.
Dr. Am b edkar : That would be too much of an economy. If you look at the various amendments which stand on the order paper you will see that most of the amendments are mere variants of one another. There is no amendment which is very substantially different from the other amendments. I was therefore suggesting whether it would not be a proper procedure to permit Members to move their amendments and then to have a general discussion rather than to permit each amendment to be moved, have a debate on it and then to dispose of it, thereafter have another amendment moved, have a debate on it and then to dispose of it. I was thinking that in the interests of economy of time the procedure I was suggesting might appeal to you.
Mr. Speaker: In fact, we have been following that procedure. Where amendments involve a common point, all the amendments are moved and there is a common discussion. That is the practice which we have been following in the past and therefore, I shall follow that practice here too.
Shri Sarwate : I beg to move :
For clause 2, substitute :
“2. Application of Code. —(1) This Code applies to all Hindus.
(2) The expression ‘Hindu’ in this Code, shall, unless otherwise provided, mean a citizen of India.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Special marriage Act,
1872 (III of 1872), this Code shall apply to Hindus, as defined in that Act, and whose marriages have not been solemnized under the provisions of that Act prior to the commencement of this Code.”
Mr. Speaker : May I suggest one thing more. Those amendments that are printed, as well as others too, have been circularised. So hon. Members may only mention the number of the amendment they propose to move and I shall take it that it has been moved. All the amendments relating to one clause and one subject will be moved and discussed.
Shri Tyagi : The point which the amendments seek to amend will be discussed separately.
Mr. Speaker : Yes.
The Minister of State for Transport and Railways (Shri Santhanam): Sir, is it in order to go against the fundamentals of the Hindu Code itself. The amendment seeks to apply the Code to all Christians, Muslims and others. Does it not go beyond the Code itself? I would like a ruling from you, Sir, on that subject.