DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1175
Sardar B. S. Man : There is difference between an untouchable and a sudra.
Dr. Ambedkar : But that is the decision of the court, my hon. friend. The courts have treated both as sudras and you know very well there is distinction on that point.
The only point on which my hon. friend could rely was that the Sikhs are liberal and that they do not observe caste. Well, on that ground he ought to welcome this, because we are abrogating caste throughout. Therefore, it is in no sense in conflict with what is happening in the Sikh community.
Sardar Hukam Singh : Our complaint is that we are far in advancer of the stage to which you say you are bringing us up. Please do not pull us down.
Dr. Ambedkar : Different people have different notions about advancement and I have my notions about it. Advance may also mean no law—anarchy—that also may happen. I think I have dealt with all the points that have been raised by the various speakers on their amedments.
Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : Are you not perpetuating the caste system by accepting the proposal that caste panchayats should decide divorce cases?
Dr. Ambedkar : Why talk about it when we have not reached it ? We have not reached that. We shall see it then. For the moment I have dealt with all the points and given reasons why it is not possible to accept any of the amendments proposed by hon. Members. The only amendment that I am prepared to accept is the amendment moved by Dr. Bakshi Tek Chand by which he proposes to substitute the word “followers” for “members”.
Shri Naziruddin Ahmad : May I have your permission to correct; ; a ‘mistake which has crept into the debate in the speech of Dr. Ambedkar ? (Interruption ).
Mr, Deputy Speaker : If he makes any particular mistake it is for him to correct it. The hon. Member will point it out to me. It is not necessary to speak on that. Exception of that kind can be taken to whatever he has said in his speech but it is not our business to go on correcting the speeches.
There are a number of amendments that have been tabled. Hon. Members might have forgotten what the amendments are that have