Prachi Prajna (Dec 2021)
NARRATIVES OF SMṚTI ON WOMEN’S INHERITANCE AND PROPERTY RIGHTS
Abstract
Women and men are vital reciprocal factors in the building of a society, a state, and a country. The society in which humans are living has been structured to follow some laws and rules to live cordial lives. They have all rights to live with dignity and humility. Humans should not be thrown into the wilderness. Articles 25 of Human rights and 21, 15(3) of the Indian constitution provide the right to freedom to all human beings irrespective of sex, caste, and creed. But during World War II, the gross violation of human rights was seen. When UNO was formed in its general assembly on 10 December 1948 a chapter of 30 human rights was declared. Years rolled on equal human rights for men and women are yet to be seen in society. The security, identity, and dignity of women are in danger even in the 21st century where women are pursuing the same job and other works as men do. In this paper, a sincere effort shall be made about the views of Manu, Yāñjyavalkya, and Gautama, etc. other Smṛtikāras to unfold the rights of women especially to property. Our ancient texts have expressed a number of propositions over the eligible persons to receive the succession to women’s property and what has been the reason behind to do so. The article will also focus on the several types of Women’s property (Strīdhana). The Conclusion has been focused on the influence of various texts over the Hindu Succession Act of India in the current period.
