JINNAH's SPEECH - HINDU CHILD MARRIAGE DATED 11 SEPTEMBER 1929 JINNAH AND TILAK, Page 69/70 Quoted from

'Pirzada, Vol. III, pp. 35-7 '

I am convinced in my mind that there is nothing in the Quran, there is nothing in Islam which prevents us from destroying this evil. if we can do it today do not wait till tomorrow. I fully recognize the orthodox opinion. I fully appreciate the orthodox sentiments, the orthodox feelings both of Muslmans and of Hindus. Sir, whether certain practices have any sanction, divine or religious or not, usages and customs grow up, and when any social reform is suggested which goes to destroy the usages and practices to which the people are used and upon they have looked semi-religious usages and practices, it is always known all over the world that those people who have got deep sentiments, deep convictions, strong opinions, always resent, and they believe that it is destroying the very root of their social life or religion. Always the social reformer is to face to face with this orthodox opinion having behind it this conviction, this sentiment, this feeling which is preferably understandable and to some extent legitimate. But are we to be dragged down by this section for whom we have respect, whom sentiments we regard, - are we to be dragged down and are we to be prevented in the march of progress, in the name of humanity, I ask you? And sir, as far as my own constituency is concerned, that is, Bombay, I have no mandate whatsoever of any kind, and therefore, perhaps I am very happy and perhaps I am in better position than my Honourable friends who are probably are afraid that they may have to face their constituencies in the future, and that they may have trouble, or some of them may have got some mandate. But, Sir, I make bold to say to my constituency, ' You had better asked somebody else to represent you'. Because, after all, you must remember that public opinion is not so fully developed in this country, and if we are going to allow ourselves to be influenced by the public opinion that can be created in the name of religion when he know that religion has nothing whatever to do with the matter, - I think we must have the courage to say, ' No, we are not going to be frightened by that. In the past the government policy was, 'We have enough trouble. We have got the agitators who are making our lives miserable already. Why should we undertake a measure which will make our loyal subjects who always support us, who look upon us as ma-baps [mother-father]-the orthodox who are quite content and satisfied - why should we undertake this extra trouble, this extra burden upon our heads to improve your people?' That was their attitude, but I am glad that that policy has been exploded, and I hope for ever, and I hope that government will in future side with us in the matter at any rate concerning social reforms we are working so that we may help India to take her place among the great nations of the world. We are looking forward to a great India and a great nation.