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 of her mother, or failing all these, of her elder brother, or, failing also brothers, of her next male relative. All persons knowingly abetting a marriage made contrary to the provisions of this section shall be liable to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one year or, to fine, or, to both. And all marriages made contrary to the provisions of this Section may be declared void by a Court of law. Provided that, in any question regarding the validity of a marriage made contrary to the provisions of this section, such consent as is aforesaid shall be presumed until the contrary is proved, and that no such marriage shall be declared void after it has been consummated. In the case of a widow who is of full age, or whose marriage has been consummated, her own consent shall be sufficient consent to constitute her re-marriage lawful and valid.

So, notwithstanding the pledges and assurances of Government of its now interference with the laws of marriage and inheritance of its Indian subjects, and in spite of more than 40 petitions from upwards of 60,000 Hindus of the higher class against the innovation, the Act was passed at the instance of an infinitesimal minority. We have not space to quote all these petitions. We will, therefore, content ourselves by giving space to one or two, that were most important.