DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 829
to say and then coolly consider. There is no use going on presuppositions. After all it is a matter which affects vitally large sections of people. The question is whether it offends against the provisions of the Constitution.
Shri J. R. Kapoor : Before you are pleased to give a ruling on this question as to whether these amendments are or not in order, may I request you to give us an opportunity to speak on that particular point, because so far none of us have expressed ourselves about the admissibility of these amendments ?
Mr. Speaker : I think I shall give them an opportunity. But first of all I want to hear what they really mean and whether they are trying to extend the scope of the Bill. I shall give them a hearing.
Shri Jhunjhunwala : I was pointing out to the House that if a particular kind of legislation is one of reform or is in the interests of public good, then this Parliament will not be partial in enacting such a kind of legislation.
[P ANDIT T HAKUR D AS B HARGAVA in the Chair .]
When a particular kind of legislation is being enacted for the welfare of the people why should it be restricted wholly to a certain class of persons and why should it not be extended to all ? If it is good, it is good; if it is bad, it is bad. And if it is bad why should we apply it to the Hindus ? Why should we thrust it upon the Hindus ? Why should they not be left free to practise their own religion and act according to their own ancient ideas ? It is said that this Bill is being enacted because the present system of marriage and other things are not in the interest of society, that they are spoiling society and that this particular kind of legislation is good for the society. If a particular kind of legislation may be regarding marriage, may be regarding inheritance, may be regarding anything, I do not want to go into those details which I shall do when the particular clauses come—but if, as I have said, particular things are good for certain persons. I would like to have the reasons from my hon. friend Dr. Ambedkar who is described as Manu of modern age as to why the particular piece of legislation is bad for Muslims, because he is excluding them, he is purposely excluding them by saying that this Code shall not apply to Muslims. I would like to know why it should not apply to everybody and why it should apply only to Hindus. If it is good it should apply to you, me and everybody. And secondly, as I said, if it is a bad law, why should it be thrust upon a particular