DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 501
not be multiplied. According to him there are a sufficient number of instances, but if he thinks he has forgotten one point which is more important than others then he may point it out.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Clause 103 of the Departmental Bill corresponding to clause 102 of the final Bill restricts the agnates to five degrees. The change restricts the heirship to five degrees only. In case there are no enumerated heirs, then according to the Hindu Law the property will go to the agnate, but the definition of agnate has been seriously curtailed and reduced to five degrees. In the next clause, clause 104 of the Departmental Bill corresponding to clause 103 of the final Bill, cognates are also similarly restricted to five degrees. This is a serious departure from the conception of the Hindu Law and from the original Bill. Any agnate, however distantly connected, would be an heir in the absence of preferential heirs. With regard to cognates also, in the absence of agnates any cognates, however distantly connected, would be heirs. So, with regard to cognates the change is entirely new. With regard to agnates it is a serious departure from the original clauses. They merely described that in the absence of enumerated heirs they go to agnates, and in the absence of agnates they go to cognates.
Mr. Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Cognates or agnates ?
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Cognates.
I submit these are serious changes. According to Dr. Ambedkar these are not serious because he has made the changes.
Shrimati G. Durgabai : Serious and substantial changes !
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Substantial if you like. I think thay are not merely substantial but also serious. Serious goes a degree further. In fact, this restricts the right of heirship of certain people.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Is the honourable Member not closing at five? Enough has been said on this topic.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : No, Sir. Not enough to convince some of the Members. I want to absolutely convince them.
Shri Khurshed Lal : Then you will have to argue till doomsday.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : If he has not been able to convince for five hours now, he will not be able to convince him at the end of another five hours.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : The Honourable the Law Minister has though not a vacant mind, an open mind and he will in the long run be convinced.