Divorced women to benefit from inherited property

Divorced women to benefit from inherited property

The Union Cabinet is all poised to table an amendment to the marriage laws, which, in the event of a divorce, would give the wife an equal share of not only the property acquired by the husband during or before the marriage, but also his inherited or inheritable property. This proposed amendment is already creating a furore.

TOI brings you the reactions of Nagpurians.

What's wrong with that?
There are many young, marriageable girls out there, who are not complaining about this impending amendment. Garima Motwani, a CA, hails the step and says: "These days, you can't trust anyone. So, this move to give a share in husband's inherited property to a girl, will secure her future. In this male-dominated society, it is not easy for a divorced girl to be independent, and when there is a child to look after, this share will help her in being economically independent."

'It is reverse dowry!'
The proposed change aims to give the wife an equal share in the property regardless of whether it was acquired before or after marriage and regardless of whether it is only in the husband's name or held jointly. Vivek Sharma (name changed on request), an eligible bachelor, says: "Earlier, the simple system of streedhan was evolved to give the girl a part of the family wealth by her parents, which when added with her husband's wealth, helped in making her lead a comfortable life. Of course, the dowry system was abused, which led to it being banned. But now, such unrealistic amendments are being brought in as reverse dowry! Without any effort, women, who have a malicious intent, will get richer, usurping the husband's and in-laws' property. The union government is having a very lopsided approach indeed!"

'Govt is legalising extortion'
If bachelors are worried about the future of their marriage, those who have suffered in a matrimonial alliance are actually seething. Rajesh Vakaria, the founder member of Save India Family Foundation, says: "The government is actually legalising extortion by introducing such one-sided amendments. It means a woman can wear a mangalsutra, file for divorce in a couple of months, and take away the property of the man and even his family in one sweep. Matlab aaj shaadi kal talaak, patni hogi malamaal, pati hoga than-than gopal! In this case, the govt should also bring in a Pre-Nuptial law!"

'It is open to abuse'
Interestingly, there are many single women out there, who are against the proposed bill. Vidya Singh, an architect and a single mom, says: "I didn't even take alimony from my former husband. My parents have given me education, so I can take care of myself and my kids after the divorce. And when it comes to inherited property rights post-divorce, I feel when a girl hasn't contributed to the family wealth or well-being, how does she deserve the share in family property? Seeing the aggression of the girls these days, I feel there are very high chances of this law being abused!"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Divorced-women-to-benefit-from-inherited-property/articleshow/19970107.cms