DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1277
any child is born as a result of the marriage. If some action is to be taken there or a divorce is to take place, we shall be handicapped in getting the case recorded with a Panch. It is said that the case will have to be recorded in our own Panchayats. The Mukhia of that place will go to the court and apply. If either of the two—man or woman, who come for divorce do not agree to his decision, the case will proceed further and move to the court. We know how many divorces take place. Not even in 18 months will the cases registered in only twelve months be decided. Dragging us into the Hindu Code Bill, therefore, is not only injustice but our virtual death. I would request the learned doctor, therefore, to exclude us from it.
Next, whatever we see in the Hindu Code Bill, is both good and bad. May be, people living in the cities may not know this, but we are villagers and come across people of all types. All of them are against it. In this state of affairs we see that on the part of the members of the Parliament, the representatives of people as they are, this will not be a right course of action nor will it be right on the part of the Government to pass this Bill. It is, therefore, I must say that this Bill should not be passed unless new elections are held.
*Shri Jangde : ( English translation of the Hindi speech ). Sir, I have been listening to the speeches of the Hon. Members for the last four or five days. From their speeches it appears to me that clauses are not being considered, but that general discussion has started.
I wish to recount the objections raised by the hon. Members against this Marriage and Divorce Bill and I consider it my duty to reply to them.
Just now Shri C. D. Pande said that a loose custom of marriage and divorce prevalent amog 90 per cent of the people should be left intact. He also asked why should the Dwij communities, among which this divorce custom does not obtain, be compelled to adopt it.
Pandit M. B. Bhargava: He did not say this.
Shri Syamnandan Sahaya : This was not said. Why are you unjust to him?
Shri Jangde : He said that this matrimonial code, which is going to be passed, would greatly lengthen the procedure of marriage etc. and would create many difficulties for the village people.
*P.D., Vol. XV, Part II, 22nd September 1951, pp. 3117-20.