DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1113
only because there were some basic principles, fundamentals which went to form the root of all things which were first settled and ordained, and which have been maintained through the ages without question or dispute ; not narrow sectarian dogmas or rituals, nor any controversial things or rules, but certain basic fundamental principles which were considered as sine qua non of the continued, stable and smooth existence of society. These principles may be called by any name ; but they remain the eternal bedrock upon which any healthy society must rest. In this country, the name given to these principles was sanatana : sanatoria not meaning, unfortunately, as a learned speaker said yesterday, that which is always changing and nitya nootana, but as something which has always existed. Therefore, if we undertake the task of making any changes in the structure of Hindu society, we must be careful that, tamper as much as we might with the outward forms and paraphernalia, with the leaves and branches, we do not apply the axe to the root of the tree itself; that we do not disturb and that we do not uproot the fundamentals, the basic principles upon which society has been based, and which have carried it through the ravages of time as nothing else has carried any other society known to man in the world. Therefore, we must first understand what those basic principles are.
I was slightly taken aback when I heard it said by no less than three august personages who go to form the Government of this country today, that the provisions contained in the proposed
12 N OON Hindu Code Bill are in accordance with what is found in the Hindu Shastras. I have also heard it said that a profound study has been made of those Shastras in order that this Bill might be put up in this form. One would naturally hesitate to cross swords with men of so learned a disposition. But the Hindu Shastras have been the property of the world for the ages. Many people have read them or can read them. With the very limited knowledge that I am privileged to have of them, it has not been possible for me to find justification for that statement so far. I would, therefore, suggest that if it is the claim of the Government that they are basing the Hindu Code Bill upon the sanctions contained in the Hindu Shastras, then we should proceed on that premise. It will be different, however, if a wider stand is taken and it is said that it is not the Hindu Shastras, it is not the sanctions contained in them, but it is the wisdom and the whim and fancy of the farmers of this Bill, it is the inclinations and the desires of those who are at