DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1119
Shri Bharati : I wonder if the hon. Member knows about any of the other States also.
Pandit Malaviya : I do not belong to that school which refuses to see anything except the palm of its hand. I do not mind the interruptions because I know what I mean and I know what I am saying. I am not saying it merely because I wish to say something or because I should say things which would please anybody, but because I believe in what I say. No amount of interruption, no amount of cries of ‘Question’ can dislodge the truth. If a thing is true and correct, then whatever anybody may say and these ‘Questions’ only help to clarify matters.
Shri J. R. Kapoor : Interruptions are helpful.
Pandit Malaviya : Whether they are meant in a spirit of helpfulness or otherwise, I do not in the least degree mind them. If on a matter of such importance and gravity there are indeed any doubts in anyone’s mind and if any questions suggest themselves to any Member, I feel, on the contrary, that the object, the very ideal, of a parliamentary system of legislation would be defeated if that Member did not have the opportunity to raise his doubt and to ask his question, and if anybody who is on his legs, does not attempt to reply to his best ability to the question that is asked. I therefore do not object to interruptions.
Shri Radhelal Vyas : May I ask the hon. Member to enlighten us as to how the law of mongamy and divorce which is in force in Madras and Bombay has affected the Hindu society ?
Mr. Chairman : May I ask the hon. Member not to lose the thread of his argument and not to be misled by the interruptions ?
Pandit Malaviya : I am very grateful to you, Sir, and I assure you that I stand to no fear of being misled. I was saying that in all these States people have had no opportunity at all of knowing what this Bill is. It is possible for me to go into this point at great length, to go into the well known and universally accepted principles and methods of legislation and to point out the monstrous impropriety of such a state of things. But I believe that instead of doing that I should merely draw attention to that fact and hope that Government will still see how grave an injustice is being proposed to be done in that manner and would find out if they can yet undo it to some extent atleast, if not wholly. It cannot be possible now, if the Bill is to be proceeded with immediately— as the Government have declared—for it to be circulated or published for the information of those people. I will, therefore, not waste time in suggesting that procedure.