DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 509
Then turning to part III-A of the original Bill which deals with succession, clauses 1 and 2 which are important substantive provisions have been entirely omitted in the Departmental Bill and of course also in the Final Bill. I will not deal with them in detail but leave them for consideration by the Honourable Minister.
Then coming to clause 131 of the Departmental Bill (clause 130 of the final Bill), sub-clause (1) which deals with maintenance is a new matter which introduces a very substantial change. Again clause 133 of the departmental Bill (clause 132 of the final Bill) lays down certain tests; they introduce an innovation of a very substantial nature. Part (b) of sub-clause
(2) of this clause is an innovation which corresponds to clause 6(1) of the original Bill, part III-A.
Then parts (g) and (h) of sub-clause (1), part III-A in the original Bill are also important provisions which have been entirely omitted in the Departmental Bill and also in the final Bill. Again parts (g), (h) and (i) of clause 133 (2) of the departmental Bill are very important and are entirely new.
In part III-A the proviso to sub-clause (1) of the clause 6 in the original Bill has been omitted in the Departmental Bill rather unceremoniously. This is omission of a very important matter.
Sub-clause (2) of clause 134 of the Departmental Bill (clause 133 of the final Bill) deals with marriage expenses of an unmarried daughter. This is a new provision which was not in the original Bill.
Then I come to clause 7 of part III-A of the original Bill dealing with the maintenance of a widow residing outside the family house. This has been omitted in the departmental Bill and also in the final Bill.
Therefore in part III-A of the original Bill, there are sins of omission and commission of an important character. I refer to them because I wish to rely not only on the individual changes made but also on the cumulative effect of those changes.
Then I come to part IV of the original Bill dealing with marriage and divorce, corresponding to Part II of the departmental and final Bills. I shall deal only with the salient points. Provisions about marriage have been entirely and radically changed and require some detailed consideration. With regard to sacramental marriage the form of that marriage prevalent in Hindu society is well known. The original Bill left those forms to be applicable according to custom and social