DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1223
Mr. Deputy Speaker : It is in the discretion of the Chair to put the whole clause or put it part by part. As a matter of fact, I have placed it part by part and we have already adopted two parts.
Shri Bharati : Definitions may be added at any time.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : If the Bill is going to be restricted in scope then what is the harm in doing so ?
Shri Naziruddin Ahmad : My amendment is for this very purpose, Sir.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : The Hon. Member has thought much in advance and the Hon. Minister is only accepting what he is saying. So, this matter will stand over.
Shri Naziruddin Ahmad : I have no objection.
Shri Bharati : The words “full blood” and “half blood” do not occur in the part of the Code which we intend to pass. Originally we had intended to pass the whole Code and these words were necesary. Now that these words do not occur in this part we may as well drop them.
Dr. Ambedkar : They may arise in connection with prohibited degrees, sapindaship and so on. Therefore, my suggestion is that it might be desirable at this stage to pass the part and if at a later stage I find it is necessary to make some amendments I will do so.
Shri Bharati : After all, these are definitions of words which must have a reference to the words occurring in the subsequent chapters. If we do not see these words at all in the chapters on marriage and divorce I do not see any virtue in having the definition.
Shri Naziruddin Ahmad : This part is amended by amendment No.
360 which is the latest version of this part. But even there terms like “uterine blood” appear.
Dr. Ambedkar : My suggestion is that the better thing would be to allow these definitions going through ; if subsequently we find it necessary to change we shall change it, because, as I have already stated, I reserve the right of bringing appropriate amendments in view of what has happened with regard to this Code.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : In any way, without any doubt this is required for the chapters on marriage and divorce. And these terms are there both in the original part and in the amended one.
Now I will put part (iii) to vote.
The question is :
“That part (iii) renumbered as part (iv) of clause 3 stand part of the Bill.”
The motion was adopted.