Will Women in India Get Equal Property Rights?
Mon. Apr 29th, 2024

In the current scenario property rights of women were governed by personal laws and cultural norms.

In the year 2005 the Hindu Succession Act was amended to make women the rightful owners to their father’s ancestral property. Therefore, it now transpires that a daughter from a Hindu family can ask for a share in the property but will not be able to sell it if her brothers are residing in it. If all the members agree mutually then the woman shall be able to sell the property, if she so wishes.

In the case of Christians women are governed under the Indian Succession Act of 1925 and have rights only by will in which the share of property belonging to her should be categorically mentioned.

Muslim women can receive half of the share that their brothers get in the ancestral property. A Muslim widow and mother are also entitled to receive a share in the husband’s and son’s property.

Women generally are prone to sacrificing their rights towards the well being of the family, and what’s more, the percentage of such sacrifice is higher in the rural parts of the country. It is important to make women aware of their rights and educate them so that they get their rightful share in the property.