‘The Arunachal Pradesh Marriage and Inheritance of Property
The problem is mainly over two clauses— Clause 42 in the proposed draft bill states that "An APST woman married to non-APST man shall enjoy any immovable property inherited from the head of the family in her lifetime, subject to the basic limit that the properties so inherited would devolve, in the event of her death, upon the heirs of her ancestors from whom she inherited."
Clause 43 of the proposed draft bill states that "An APST woman married to non-APST man shall enjoy the right of any immovable property owned and acquired by her in her lifetime. In the event of her death, her husband and her heirs would have full rights of it for disposal and alienation to any indigenous tribal of Arunachal Pradesh."
Concern is mostly related to the above two clauses which is related to the complex case arising out of marriage between an Arunachalee indigenous woman and a non APST man.
It is important to understand that Arunachal is a protected land and it is only fair that people are alarmed that the ‘Bill’ might dilute and compromise an otherwise water-tight measure which has ensured that land rights remain with Arunachal’s indigenous communities since it's existence.
It is the 21st century, a legislation regarding especially inheritance of property among local women is imperative and long overdue. Such a ‘Bill’ is needed to enable women to know their rights which has a legal foundation. Till now, women-- as wives and daughters have been enjoying property rights through the goodwill of parents/spouses but a legislation will rightfully empower women to know their standing on such matters.
A positive of this uproar, is that women's inheritance and property rights has become part of Arunachal's discourse, which was unheard of. As civilised society, let us debate on the concerns and 'flaws' with an air of dignity.
For all Arunachalees-- men and women, our love for our land is what unifies us.