DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1261
such a custom is antagonistic to the Hindu Shastras and to our principles. There are, of course, differences on the application of divorce provision but I for one support it for I want justice for women who are meted out gross injustice these days. Poet Tulsidas had said through the mouth of Sitaji:
Mitam dadati hi pita mitam bhrata mitam sutah,
Amitasya to dataram Bharatram ka no pujyet.
It means that the poor woman is economically dependent upon the husband and for that reason she worships him. This is, however, not in the interest of the society and is not in accordance with the principles of justice. Tulsidasji should better not have said that Whatever respect we may show towards Shri Ram Chandraji, or Shri Tulsidasji, I am not prepared to keep the women in bondage any longer. This principle of divorce is based upon one’s desire and upon the sense of equality and justice. I cannot close my eyes to the injustice that is being done to women. It is a daily occurrence now that young men leave their wives. I would ask them where are these sisters to go ? So I believe that divorce is a right provision. People refer to Satis. But has a man ever been a Sata ? Indeed, the prinicple of depriving the women of their rights prevailed in a gone-by age all over the world. The Married Women’s Property Act was passed in England in 1883.
Shri T. N. Singh (Uttar Pradesh) : What is meant by Sata ?
Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : Do you not understand even the meaning of Sata ? All women know what is Sati but no man knows what Sati is .
So my submission is that we should not make provisions on the basis of customs—bad customs surely. We should, on the other hand, take courage to abrogate customs—those old customs that have now beocme out-of-date. The Government should make legislation that should be based upon justice and equality.
Shri Bhatt: Sir, an amendment of mine was left out due to my mistake. If you permit, I may move it now.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it already in the list ? What is the number ?
Shri Bhatt: No. 288 in List No. 5.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Why was this not moved yesterday ?
Shri Bhatt: I was not present at the right time. When I entered the House, the speech had begun.