1146 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Mr. Chairman : The hon. Member need not jump to any conclusion, that because a lady is in the Chair, therefore, she may not be fair to the House. I would like to respect the religious susceptibilities of the House as much as anybody else. The Deputy Speaker has told the House that half an hour would be taken for the amendments. It is true that the Hon. Minister will be called upon to reply at 11-30. There is also another traditional procedure, namely the closure motion. In view of these two facts I would like the debate to be concluded by
11-30 and not later.
Shri V. J. Gupta (Madras) : What about the closure motion ?
Mr. Chairman : Now that the House has agreed that the Hon. Law Minister is to be called upon to reply to the debate at 11-30, there is no necessity for the motion. Agreement is always better than closure and its acceptance.
*Khwaja Inait Ullah (Bihar) : ( English translation of the Urdu speech ) After deliberating long, I had decided not to say anything about this Bill. I stick to this very decision of not speaking on the matter even today, whether or not Hindu Code Bill be passed. Well, it is a different thing altogether...
An Hon. Member : Do speak.
Khwaja Inait Ullah : I should say, but I do not want to. It is a different thing that our brethren also should treat their sisters and daughters in the same way as I personally do. But, as the name ‘Hindu Code Bill’ is attached to this Bill and it is said that this legislation is being formulated particularly for those following the Hindu religion, I feel that from the viewpoint of Religion, it is not proper for me as a Muslim to interfere in the social law of Hindus wherein they want to make, or are making changes.
An Hon. Member : It should be done as a human being.
Khwaja Inait Ullah : Yes, I am doing it as a human being, but while being a human being, I am an Indian and a Muslim also. It is, therefore, that I want to give out my impressions just in accordance with my own religion. All the amendments at hand now have compelled me to express my views, There is an amendment that all those, viz., Muslims, Christians and others, who have been exempted from the operation of this law, be also included.
- P.D., Vol. XV, Part II, 20th September 1951, pp. 2926-29.