Miscellaneous - This Day That Age   

dated May 10, 1956: Hindu Succession Law

After 40 hours of debate the Lok Sabha on May 9 passed amidst cheers by an overwhelming majority the Hindu Succession Bill, with some important amendments. Prime Minister Nehru described the Bill as a "vital and in a sense a revolutionary measure." He said, "It is a revolutionary step in the sense that it shakes up the lethargy of thinking. In addition to the political revolution and the economic revolution through which we are passing, we have also a social revolution and if all the three are integrated together, India will progress in a manner worthy of her past, to build up a magnificent future." He congratulated the Law Minister, Mr. H.V. Pataskar, who piloted the Bill successfully "on his amazing perseverance". All the women members who spoke expressed their thanks to Mr. Pataskar. The Speaker, Mr. M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, observed that it was his privilege to put to vote the motion to adopt the Bill which sought to give their sisters in the country a sense of security. Hindu law, he said, had never remained static as was seen from the different smritis, and on May 9 it was the proud privilege of the House, representing the 360 million people, to debate and vote on such an important measure. One of the amendments accepted was in respect of the clause dealing with the special provision for dwelling houses. By this amendment the right of residence of the daughter in the house was enlarged to include one who had been separated from her husband. In the original provision such a right was vested only in an unmarried daughter or one who had been deserted by her husband or a widow.

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