822 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
any value or wish to give any serious consideration to the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution, I am unable to see how by passing this Code we would be endeavouring to secure for the citizens a uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India. What we would be doing by this Code would be entirely and directly contrary to what is laid down in Article 14. Because this is not only not endeavouring to secure for the citizens a uniform Civil Code but trying to enact a different Code for a section of the people. So, before we go ahead, before we waste any more time, we should consider this point. And I am sure we are doing nothing else but wasting time because for the next three days I am certain it would not be easy to go much further than Clause 2 and we don’t know how long after that we would be touching the Hindu Code. A suggestion has already been made that it would have been far better, if we really wanted to pass this Code, that one whole session should have been devoted to it. To allot three days during which it would not be possible to advance very far I consider, a pure waste of time, energy and money of this House. It can serve only one purpose and that of merely satisfying the whims and fancies or dogged determination or inclination of certain people. It would be quite easy when we have got a couple of thousand people obstructing our way or shouting slogans to desist Members of this House from passing this Code, to find one or two persons who would like to go to the law courts to get a ruling that what we are trying to do is not only not in keeping with the constitutional provisions but is directly opposed to what has been laid down.
Shrimati Durgabai : Others also will go to courts.
Dr. Deshmukh : Both sides will be there. You will get a notice at the cost of those people who go there first.
Shrimati Durgabai : Others will be there on the basis of provisions regarding discrimination.
Dr. Deshmukh : Yes, there is discrimination everywhere and that is exactly the objection that is raised. If we enact this Code as it is, there will be discrimination in favour of certain people and against certain others who are also handicapped similarly, if not worse. That is a point which goes in our favour.
My second point on these amendments is that I am opposed to the amendment moved by Dr. Ambedkar. By his amendment No. 15 in the printed list, he wants the substitution of the words “persons who are Hindus by religion” for the words “Hindus, that is to say,