Women in India Want their Fair Share of Inheritance

By Shwetha E. George, Womens Feature Service

Mary Roy is a rebel, an activist and a teacher. Her life is proof enough of her never-say-die attitude.

Roy fought against an archaic inheritance law and ensured the historic Supreme Court verdict that changed the lives of Syrian Christian women in India. The women are not given equal rights to their parents’ property.

But even after campaigning for women’s rights for close to three decades, Roy’s zeal to bring forth change never fades. She is going to the Supreme Court again. She is getting ready to file the “Justice and Human Rights for Citizens living in the Periphery of Garbage Dumps” petition.

The Kottayam sub-court over-ruled all the legal objections raised by her brothers since 2000. Finally the court granted her possession of the family property on TB Road in the city last October 20, 2010.

“I am sitting on 10 acres now,” she says, speaking at her home in the Pallikoodam school campus.

Roy recounts her tough journey to get what was rightfully hers. As a single mother of two school-going children, Roy was asked to “get out” of her deceased father’s cottage in Ooty. When she sought legal advice, the law according to the Travancore Christian Succession Act stated that a daughter shall receive 1/4th the share of a son or Rs 5,000 (US$1=Rs 44.3) whichever is less.

She filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court. The apex court struck down the Travancore Christian Succession Act. It upheld the Indian Succession Act by which equal inheritance rights are granted to sons and daughters in the event of the father dying tate.

But the battle was far from over. Acording to Roy her my mother was still alive which gave her mother the right over all her husband’s property until her death. But when her mother died in 2000, her brother resorted to appeal to Kerala High Court to prevent partition.

Women’s right to inheritance has been a contentious issue and Roy knows that it is not easy to change mindsets. In fact, she admits to the fact that even today she meets many women who actually prefer to take their dowries at the time of marriage instead of their inheritance in property.

Roy recalls the cases of two women who had joined her legal battle at the SC against the Travancore Christian Succession Act. One was a single woman who died before the verdict was pronounced. The other woman was nurse named Aleykutty. The nurse won the case for herself and for her daughters against her son.

Roy is definitely doing her bit by imparting quality education to girls in her Pallikoodam school. Roy’s vision doesn’t exclude the boys enrolled in her school. According to her the boys will not be alcoholic, wife-beating and dowry-expecting men in the future.

Roy’s school is gender-equal. Art teachers, athletic coaches, playwrights and special educators teach in Pallikoodam nowadays.

Roy is now gearing up for another long-drawn legal battle against the local bodies over the issue of garbage dumps. She hasn’t filed her case yet. She is now 77 years old now. But one thing is for sure, Roy will certainly try hard to succeed in her latest cause. As they say, you can’t stop a good woman to fight a good cause.

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Israel-Hamas War, What Has Israel Been Missing

The constant question one who follows this war is...

Azerbaijan and Armenia Work Towards Peace Treaty

After years of fighting each other, Azerbaijan and Armenia are working towards a peace treaty but there are obstacles, including a lack of trust.

Top IR Tools for Retail Engagement: How Arx Helps Public Companies Compete

Key Takeaways: Arx is a Tel Aviv-based investor relations...

LAJFF Reminds Us Of The Beatles And More

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) is celebrating...

Listo Expands with Major NHL Partnerships at Bridgestone Arena and Xcel Energy Center

Listo, a next-generation premium experience and hospitality platform, is...

Don’t Demand Respect While Rejecting the Host Culture

Why demanding respect from the West without self-reflection falls flat. A powerful defense of Western values and cultural boundaries.

FUD Is the Only Thing That’s Real in Crypto Right Now

In the topsy-turvy world of crypto, where projects appear...

Related Articles

Popular Categories