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THE HINDU CODE WAS A RIGHT STEP TOWARDS A CIVIL CODE
Students Parliament of Siddarth College had organised a Student Parliament on Wednesday, 11th January 1950. Coinciding the presence of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Bombay. He was called specially to talk on ‘Hindu Code Bill.’ The programme was arranged in Sundarabai Hall. Even though the programme was at 9 a. m. the hall was full to its capacity by 8 a. m. only. Many outside dignitories were present to listen to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. A special arrangement of loud speakers was made. [1]
In his speech Dr. B. R. Ambedkar said,
“It would be wrong to describe the Hindu Code Bill as either radical revolutionary. He said that the Bill, while according sanction to the new ways of progress, did not oppose the orthodox practices. He further stated that the new Republican Constitution of India had given a positive direction that Government should endeavour to prepare a Civil Code for the benefit of the country as a whole. The purpose of the Hindu Code Bill was, he explained, to codify and modify certain branches of the Hindu Law. Dwelling upon its significance, he said that it was beneficial from the point of the country’s oneness that the same set of laws should govern the Hindu social and religious life. He further told his audience that the Hindu laws were being revised not because the Hindus were a weak people to resist its revival but for uniformity’s sake. The Hindu Code was a right step towards a Civil Code. The laws should be easily understandable and be applied to all society irrespective of regional barriers. Moreover, a Hindu was free to adopt anybody from the Hindu society and he could make a will denying inheritance to his daughter.
As regards the authority under which the Code was drafted, he said that the modifications proposed were based on the Hindu Shastras and Smritis. The property was governed by Dayabhag system ; the child belonged to the caste of the father under Pitrisavarnya ; divorce was supported by Kautilya and Parashara Smriti ; and women’s rights to property were supported by Brihaspati Smriti” he concluded.” [2]
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: Janata, dated 14th January 1950.
: Keer, Pp. 417—418.