Since long, women have not received their dues in many social & family matters. Slowly & steadily due to the awareness, education and concerted effort of women activists the things are changing in favour of women. Married women were another lot, who had been deprived from many legitimate rights. The recent concern of law ministry regarding the matrimonial properties, gives ample of indications that the state machinery is gearing up to address the lacunas that debarred married women in many areas of acquisition.
The time has come to clearly define the matrimonial property & other acquired materials by spouses to be tagged as joint acquisition. The recent debate in parliament over matrimonial rights gives positive vibes of members to come out with a favourable law that will ensure the rights of women. The very definition of matrimonial property tells that it is the property that is acquired by either of the spouse or both. So it is evident that it belongs to both.
This is an issue, which must have been addressed long before. But unfortunately it has not happened due to the selfishness of some selected big bosses. Let us take it as – better late than never. In most of the cases the husbands claim that the acquired properties are their’s. But once a grown-up man & women tie the knot, everything belongs to them; instead of only his or her. This is the gift of marriage in actual. There must not be exclusiveness in properties, when they have become husband & wife.
Many times the political stalwarts take a safer way by telling that property rights are governed by different personal laws. Ok fine, but can the personal laws be above the legal system & social security! No, a big no. Hence, as the debate is started, let it continue only to bring a befitting property right, which shall be conclusive to both the spouse. It is really a matter of great concern that even after 62 years of independence, the Indian women are denied this right, which is very much in the legal system of many countries. So let us hope that central govt. & political system of India soon bring a law to give justice to married women in terms of matrimonial property right.