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BERAR WILL REVERT TO NIZAM ON AUGUST 15
Dr. Ambedkar’s Interpretation Of New India Bill
The treaty by which Berar was ceded to the British would lapse and the territory revert to the Nizam on August 15, when His Majesty’s suzerainty over India would cease, said Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, referring to the replies given by Mr. V. P. Menon, Reforms Commissioner, at a press conference last week at Delhi.
“The view expressed by Mr. Menon, if it is correct, “Dr. Ambedkar added,” would no doubt serve as a great solace to the people of Berar who have been anxiously waiting to know what their fate is going to be under the new dispensation.
“The question is : Is the view expressed by him correct? In my judgment, having regard to the provisions contained in section 7 of clause 2 of the Bill, the view expressed by Mr. Menon is quite untenable.
“Sub-section 1 (B) of section 7 says that as from the appointed date, that is, August 15, not only the suzerainty over India by His Majesty will lapse but all powers, rights, authority of jurisdiction exercisable by His Majesty in or in relation to Indian States by treaties, grants, usage, sufferance or otherwise will also lapse. What does this mean when applied to the treaty with regard to Berar ? Obviously, it means that the treaty by which Berar was ceded to the British will also lapse.
Clause 2 Applies to Berar
“If this construction of the clause is correct, then the effect of this sub-section is that on August 15 Berar will revert to the Nizam. To argue that this clause does not apply to Berar because Berar has not been specially mentioned is to read into the sub-section A limitation which is not there. The sub-section is so general that specific mention of Berar is unnecessary. Specific mention of Berar would be necessary only if the intention was to save it from the effect of the general clause and not otherwise. As there is no such saving clause, the sub-section as it stands must have full operation in Berar, as well as other territories belonging to Indian States and which