SC recalls 1951 Hindu Code Bill assent struggle by first President.

• The Supreme Court recalled India’s trepidation when its first President claimed to have the power to withhold assent to Bills, even against the Council of Ministers’ advice.

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad expressed reservations about the Hindu Code Bill, which proposed significant reforms in Hindu personal law.

• The Jawaharlal Nehru government referred the issue to the first Attorney-General of India, M.C. Setalvad, for an opinion.

• The Attorney-General’s opinion was accepted by the President, ending the controversy.

• Setalvad’s autobiography suggested his opinion had rankled Prasad, an “orthodox Hindu.”