1094 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
is different and more liberal than the present Hindu Code Bill. In fact, I do not know, after all the present assurances that only 55 clauses will be finished whether it will be a Hindu Code or not, or what Code it will be. You are asking me to speak upon a Bill even whose name I do not know or whose operation I do not know. Anyway, I shall be guessing that it will be a Civil Code or it will be a Marriage Act or some such thing and the word “Hindu” shall drop out. He says :
“The Hindu agriculturist of the Punjab knows nothing of caste except as represented by his tribe. No doubt, he respects the Brahman and calls him and feeds him on occasions of rejoicing or sorrow, but he would never dream of referring to him or to the Hindu Law for guidance in his daily life. If he has ever heared of the Dharmashastra at all, which is very improbable, he has only done so as a Spanish peasant may have heard of the Bible, he knows nothing whatever of its contents or principles, nor could the Brahman himself enlighten him...The Hindu law cannot be applied to the Hindu tribes, because they have never in fact followed or even heard of it and it is framed for a different state of society.”
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Extracts from books should be small ; it ought not to be reading whole books, chapter and verse.
Sardar B. S. Man : The quotation was very long ; I have cut it short.
I have read it only from the beginning and from the end. My difficulty is this. While I am forced to cite the law...
Mr. Deputy Speaker: What is the book ?
Sardar B. S. Man : The book I am quoting from is Rustomji’s Customary law of the Punjab. This quotation relates to a decided case law in 55 Punjab Record 1903 Full Bench.
I have to cite this law because in his previous speech the Hon. Dr. Ambedkar himself quoted a Privy Council decision showing that for a long time Sikhs have been governed by the Hindu Law. I am perfectly entitled today to remove that erroneous impression and show that we are not governed by the Hindu Law. As the position stands today, we are governed by a different set of laws. He relies upon his decisions. I rely upon my decisions. Hence the necessity to take some time of the House. I do realise your anxiety to finish this earlier. But Sir, this is the first time that an amendment has been moved that the Sikhs be absolved from the operation of this Bill and in view of the vital importance of this matter to the Sikh community, I may be permitted to digress a little.