1112 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Pandit Malaviya : We have that diversity even in the principal Darshanas. Among them, again, we have the Astik Darshanas and the Nastik Darshanas. We have Darshanas which have talked of the monotheistic principle of Parabrahma and Brahma and Jiva and also which have talked of the atheistic philosophy of No-Brahma and No-Veda and No-God. We have in other spheres also equally diverse opinions and diverse state of things existing. There are some people today who find it fashionable to remind us that there were certain rishis and other among the Hindus who were beef-eaters. Side by side with that, Hinduism is replete with a universal reverential regard for the cow. We have in the Hindu society youthful marriages; we have also in the Hindu society youthful sanyasis. We have in the Hindu society the most austere and difficult to imagine tapas; we have also in the Hindu society the most luxurious and lavish enjoyment of the senses. We have in the Hindu society the Brahman ; we have the chandala ; not the Chandala for whom we have only restrictions and impositions, but the chandala for whom rights and privileges have been prescribed, just as for the Brahmans ( Interruption ).
Mr. Deputy Speaker: It is an offence hereafter under the Constitution to call any person a chandala or an untouchable.
Pandit Malaviya : There are so many speakers around all at once, that I am unable to hear you, Sir.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Apart from any constitutional aspect, reference to chandala is no longer advisable. It has been made an offence under the Constitution.
Dr. Deshmukh: He is only referring to history.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : There may be some history, but all history is not very good to mention. Let us forget some history.
Pandit Malaviya : I was referring to it not as to an individual, but as to a system in the past. However, I will abide by what you have said.
Dr. Ambedkar : Why should you ?
Pandit Malaviya : The hon. Law-Minister asks, why I should. Only because I am a law-abiding Member and not the other name that I had been mentioning.
I was saying that in Hindu society we have had that variety of things existing side by side in honour and in peace. That has been the great feature of Hinduism. But that catholicity and that tolerance was possible