The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c17.s4.8

c17.s4.8

Widow remarriage has been already legalised, but the number of widows taking advantage of the legislation is still very small. Widows who spend their remaining life cherishing the memory of their late husbands and devoting themselves to the service of their family, society and country will continue to be revered by society. We should encourage and honour all those, who are genuinely anxious to lead such a life. It cannot be, however, gainsaid that the dread of social opprobrium is still preventing a large number of young widows from marrying cation and marriage of the sister. The proper remedy to improve the economic position of women would be, not to give them a share in the patrimony, but to enlarge their rights in their husbands' property. Since times immemorial, Hindu culture has been pointing out that the wife is the joint owner of the property along with her husband. It is now high time that we should give full effect to this theory. It should be open for a wife to claim a full one half share of the family property, if the court concludes that she has been unjustly treated by her husband and compelled to live separately. If there are any children of the marriage, the wife's share in such cases should be recognised to be equal to that of a son. A legislation to this effect will be in perfect harmony with the traditions of our culture, and serve as a powerful deterrent even to self-willed husbands from ill treating their wives, or contracting a second marriage, or following a vicious course of life.