DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1001
Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : Why force it on those who do not believe in it ?
Dr. S. P. Mookerjee : If you believe that monogamy as a social system is the best that India should have, then, do not try to look at it through the Hindu door ; look at it through the human door and make it applicable to all. Behave like a secular State at least in this instance. Take courage in both hands and say that monogamy will be made applicable to all citizens of India. If you cannot do it, do not do it for one section alone. Here, we are living in days of statistics. We swear by stastics, either real or manufactured. I have been trying to get some information : I could not. I wanted to know how many people in India have been marrying a second time.
Shri Himatsingka : Or, keeping two wives at the same time.
Dr. S. P. Mookerjee : That is what I mean : marrying a second wife when the first is alive. The number is extremely small. It is really no problem. Already, on account of advanced views, society has adjusted itself and on account of economic conditions, general public censure etc., this system has gone out. Why make a parade of this that you are introducing a great reform and legislating for this ? If you accept it as a principle, apply it, as I said just now to the whole of India.
So far as the Hindu Code Bill is concerned. I do not know what the decision is going to be. The Prime Minister has indicated that most likely we will not proceed with the rest of the Bill and time may not permit us to do so I am prepared to make this offer. Pass the entire Hindu Code as it is ; only make it optional. Those who want it can adopt it. I have spoken to representatives belonging to the extreme orthodox school of view ; I have argued with them. Although there are some amongst them who are against the passing of any such Bill whatsoever they also realise that just as they claim to think for themselves, others also must have the liberty to do so for themselves and for their future. That would be a splendid beginning. I am prepared to admit, however much there may be opposition to the Code, that this represents a marvellous piece of work on the part of Dr. Ambedkar and those who have been associated with him. I am quite prepared to admit that this is a most throny subject and he has gone through the matter with as much ability as any one could have. For that, if he is prepared to accept an honorary degree to be conferred by Parliament, we are prepared to confer a degree on Dr. Ambedkar. But if you look upon it as a measure which has to be pushed down the throat of millions of Hindus who are opposed to it. I say that