1196 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Shri Bhatt (Bombay) : I have tabled an amendment which must have reached you. It is about custom and usage.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Well, what is it ?
Shri Bhatt: It is about part (i).
Mr. Deputy Speaker: But I have not got a copy. I would not like the House to be taken by surprise. At least the mover of the Bill should be given a copy of the amendment sufficiently in advance and also a copy sent to me. That is the minimum I expect. We should not be taken by surprise.
Shri Bhatt: I thought you would probably have got a copy of it from the office as I got one just half an hour ago.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: When was it delivered ?
Shri Bhatt: This morning.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I do realise that some amendments may have to be allowed either from the Government side or the
10 A.M. other side at the last moment. But I would suggest to hon. Members that at least the Law Minister must be given previous intimation of such amendments and a copy also sent to me. I will rigorously adopt this rule so far as new amendments are concerned. They should be agreed to by all sections of the House.
Shri Bhatt: For part (i) of it I have proposed I beg to move: For part (i) of Clause 3, substitute the following :
“(i) the expressions ‘custom’ and ‘usage’ signify any rule which having been in vogue for a long time, has obtained the force of law among Hindus in any local area, caste, sub-caste, tribe, community, group or family :
Provided that the rule is certain and not unreasonable; and Provided further that in the case of a rule applicable only to a family it has not been discontinued by the family,”.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: What is the difference between this and that?
Shri Bhatt: That I have taken out of it. A portion of it has been retained. That is why I have drafted this amendment in this way.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Amendment moved :
For part (i) of Clause 3, substitute the following :
“(i) the expressions “custom’ and ‘usage’ signify any rule which having been in vogue for a long time, has obtained the force of law among Hindus in any local area, caste, sub-caste, tribe, community, group or family :