824 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Dr. Deshmukh: I do not object to that. I want to point out how it arises out of the situation that arose this morning.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The Government wants to make an explanation regarding a particular matter and where all persons are interested an opportunity should be given.
Shri Jawaharlal Nehru : As you know, Sir, so far as I am concerned I was expecting him to make his statement and if I may say so with all respect. I did not know that the statement would not be made then or that you would fix another time for it. I did not expect the developments as they occurred. But since this has happened and the statement has been published in the press or is going to be, I think the House would be interested greatly in the letters exchanged. I am not referring to the statement in the least, but I am referring to the letters exchanged between Dr. Ambedkar and myself.
The first letter he wrote to me does not refer to his resignation and is dated the 10th August 1951. It reads :
New Delhi.
10th August 1951.
My dear Prime Minister,
My health is causing a great deal of anxiety to me and to my doctors. They have been pressing that I must allow them a longer period of about a month for continuous treatment and that such treatment cannot now be postponed without giving rise to further complications. I am most anxious that the Hindu Code Bill should be disposed of before I put myself in the hands of my doctors. I would, therefore, like to give the Hindu Code Bill a higher priority by taking it up on the 16th of August and finish it by the 1st of September if opponents do not practice obstructive tactics. You know I attach the greatest importance to this measure and would be prepared to undergo any strain on my health to get the Bill through. But if the strain could be avoided by getting through the Bill earlier I am sure you will have no objection. In proposing
16th August, I am allowing priority to all urgent Bills such as those relating to the Punjab, the Ordinances and Shri Gopalaswami Ayyangar’s Bill relating to Part C. States.