1060 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
collections on this subject, further adding that only some articles might have appeared in annual numbers of certain magazines here and there on this subject. That was all and there was nothing more in that Library. As against this, had I gone to the Royal Asiatic Society I could have definitely got some better and useful material, but, unfortunately. I did not find time to go there. Sometimes the Press Bill and sometimes this Hindu Code Bill and other things detained me here. Anyhow, I do not go into the details as to wherefrom has this word ‘Hindu’ come and what its origin actually is. But one thing need be kept in view that the word ‘Hindu’ means the people who inhabit this land of Hindu i.e., the whole of Bharat. All the people living in this land are Hindus, whether you call them by the name Arya or Dasyu. There were only two classes of people inhabiting India in the past; one was known as Arya and the other as Dasyu, but in spite of this distinctional of them were ‘Hindus’. Hence, I would like to know what meaning should be attached to the word ‘Hindu’ in the Bill which is going to be passed into an Act now. After all how many persons have been consulted as has been mentioned in the report and as was stated by Shri Kunzru ? How many persons have given their opinions and how many of them have been included in it ? But I do not want to bring in all those things.
Dr. Bhagwan Das, while discussing the Marriage Validity Act, explained as to who was a Hindu. He said that Hindu was not merely a nationality. When ‘ Shariat ’ Act was introduced in the House most probably in the year 1937, his sufi friend gave the definition of a Musalman which I read out here. While introducing the Bill in the course of his speech he said :
“Islam has scores of sects but the belief in Mohammed seems necessary for all, though I am told that some sects do not consider the second part of Kalema of faith as essential and indispensable and regard Mohammed as one of the many prophets sent by God to help humanity on earth.”
While replying that point and repudiating that view Sir Yamin Khan (Agra Division) said :
“ There is no Muslim who believes in this. It is essential for a Muslim to believe in both the parts of the Kalema, namely ‘ La ilaha illallah’ and “Mohammed Rasulullah”.
To this Dr. Bhagwan Das remarked “ I have heard it from a Sufi friend”. In reply Mr. Yamin Khan said : “ Those who do not believe in the second part cannot be called Muslims.”