DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 855
to contravene the provisions of the Sarda Act because people wrote that the Sarda Act had made an inroad on the Muslim religion by taking away the liberty of marrying a minor. Those persons who have prejudices about religions may say whatever they like but to-day at the present moment, there is no orthodox Hinduism, no orthodox Muhammadanism and no orthodox Christianity. This is the bare truth and therefore, I am not surprised if Dr. Ambedkar has brought in a Bill which is consistent with the present times. Many of these provisions look new to those who are absolutely orthodox but at the same time, we must recognize that we have progressed too much on the lines of modern civilization and we cannot go back. If they want to bring back all those ideas of the past which have been practically given up by society in general, they are mistaken. As a matter of fact, Dr. Ambedkar has made an unconscious attempt……………
Shri R. K. Chaudhuri : We are getting more and more confused by what the hon. Member is saying. I want to make it clear whether the hon. Member wants that the present Hindu Code should go to amend the Punjab Customary Law and whether in the Punjab Customary law bigamy is banned or not. If bigamy is not banned and if as the hon. Member wants to have the Punjab to be excluded from the operation of the Hindu Code, may I know his views about bigamous marriage ?
Mr. Chairman : The hon. Member should know that he has already made his point clear and the hon. Member who is now speaking may be allowed to have his say and he need not be interrupted from time to time.
Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava : I am very glad that my hon. Friend has put a question to me. So far as bigamy is concerned. I have made my position absolutely clear when some time back I introduced a Bill in this House. That bill is designed to enforce monogamy in the whole of India even as regards Muslims, Hindus, Christians and everybody and including the Punjab. I want that so far as this Customary law is concerned, if there are any such customs which agree with the accepted ideals of society and humanity as a whole or a major part of that society, then those ideals we should adopt. I want that there should be no bigamy in the Punjab or elsewhere. This is my humble reply. So far as the general question that he has put is concerned whether this Hindu Code should modify a custom or not, I am of the opinion that so far as our custom is concerned, I want to stick to it in the Punjab, and we want to go on with that custom.