Tamil Nadu Led Women’s Property Rights 35 Years Ago, Claims DMK

Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK party has criticised Uttar Pradesh for only now considering legislation to grant married daughters equal rights in their fathers' agricultural lands, asserting that the state is "lagging behind" by 35 years.

The DMK highlights that late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi amended the Hindu Succession Act in 1989, providing women equal inheritance rights in family properties, a reform rooted in social justice icon Periyar E.V. Ramasamy's early 20th-century advocacy. This critique underscores ongoing debates on gender equality in India, potentially pressuring other states to accelerate reforms amid Supreme Court rulings, while reflecting the DMK's narrative of progressive governance in the south.

In its editorial in the party organ 'Murasoli', the DMK detailed Periyar's pioneering efforts: resolutions for women's property rights were passed in 1927 at the first conference of non-Brahmin youths in Chennai Presidency and reiterated in the 1928 and 1929 conferences. The daily noted Uttar Pradesh's proposed amendments to the UP Revenue Code, 2006, to include married daughters in agricultural inheritance, citing a 2020 Supreme Court judgement led by Justice Arun Mishra that upheld women's rights.

Despite labelling the move as belated, the DMK welcomed it, urging the UP government to overcome conservative opposition and enact the law. This exchange highlights regional disparities in women's empowerment, with Tamil Nadu positioning itself as a trailblazer since the 1989 amendment, influencing national discourse on gender equity.

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Such political jabs could catalyse broader reforms, aligning with India's constitutional goals, but may also intensify interstate rivalries. As women's rights gain momentum, this could lead to unified policies, fostering equality across the nation.

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