DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1299
against Marumakkattayam and Aliyasanthanam laws, then it shall not apply to them.
Dr. Ambedkar: It shall apply only to the marwaris.
Shri Jhunjhunwala : Had it not applied to the marwaris, even then I would not have sat. This code is dangerously harmful to the society and the country.
Mr. Chairman: The Hon. Member should continue.
Shri Jhunjhunwala : The Hon. Minister is interrupting and casting aspersions. Our Constitution provides for equal rights. Why do you not allow me to reply to his remarks ?
Mr. Chairman : I am also asking him not to interrupt, the Hon. Member may go on.
Shri Jhunjhunwala : You turn towards him and then say, so that he may hear.
Mr. Chairman : I have acquired this habit from the Hon. Member. I would ask the Hon. Minister not to interrupt.
Shri Jhunjhunwala : Now in this connection, I would like to read before the House Article 25 of the Constitution. I would request the Hon. Members to listen patiently:
“25. (1) Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess practice and propagate religion.”
(2) Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any existing law or prevent the State from making any law—
(a) regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political or other secular activity which may be associated with religious practice;”
Babu Ramnarayan Singh : Kindly translate it into Hindi.
Shri Jhunjhunwala : You engage a teacher for that. Then there is :
“(b) providing for social welfare and reform or the throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.”
After that there is explanation which I need not read. So I submit to the Chair and the Hon. Members of this House that the purpose of my amendments is that when you make an effort to introduce reforms, you have no right to touch our Dharmshastras. But you can