1014 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Shri Bharati : We are not likely to take them up.
Mr. Chairman : Let the hon. Member go on.
Dr. Deshmukh : If it is intended that we should confine ourselves only to the passing of a law that one person can at one time have only one wife, I would not very much object. But, as has been pointed out by my hon. Friend Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, much ado is being made about a thing which is dying out by itself. The present struggle for existence and the economic forces at play are themselves bringing about the desired change. Therefore, although it is a necessary reform, I do not think it is something that some people may be prepared to die for.
So far as divorce is concerned, I think there is much to be said in favour of divorce. At the earliest possible moment, this provision ought to be made. As has been pointed out by many Members, this is only a permissible reform, merely making provisions for divorces—the mere presence of the provision does not mean that every one will take advantage of it and get a divorce. What is the present position ? There are certain States— Baroda for instance, where divorce is allowed. And many who cannot agree between themselves or for other reasons who cannot get on, merely go and stay at Baroda for some time and obtain some sort of certificate that they are residents there and in this way get their purpose fulfilled. Wherever a married couple cannot get on together, may be for any reason, may be because one of them is suffering from a bad disease or there may be many other factors which cause a deterioration of their relationship they should be able to separate. It is human to expect under modern conditions that this freedom should be made available to them and it should be possible for an individual to get a divorce and separate. From that point of view, I submit that the provisions so far as divorce is concerned, are desirable. But on one point I vehemently disagree with Dr. Ambedkar and that is with regard to not recognising the customary divorce. He wants that all divorce cases must...
Shri R. K. Chaudhari : I want to get a point cleared. Does the hon. member advocate divorce of scramental marriages and also at the same time the continuance of sacramental marriages ?
Dr. Deshmukh : I do not think there will be any difficulty. Even now a good many sacramental marriages get dissolved. That happens in various communities and under the Hindu law. And who is going to say that marriage under the so-called backward communities, which really are more advanced than others are not sacramental marriages ?