INTRODUCTION
Incorrectly, the only fault is that we have not been able to establish equality till now. Our law on inequality has also been updated, but we are not able to change our mindset for it today, just like if there is a son in the house, he has full rights over the property, and so does the daughter. I don’t know how long we will continue to live in this society, and when the inequality will change? The keyword here is loud and clear: Inheritance Inequality. Though laws have changed, mindsets often haven’t. This article explores the deep-rooted issue of inheritance inequality in Indian households,
its cultural origins, gender bias, legal reforms, and the silent but growing resistance shaping a more equitable future.
The Roots of Inheritance Inequality in India
The Indian legacy, which has been going on for centuries, is still being carried on. Especially, giving more priority to daughters over sons of patriarchal value, even after equality is legally guaranteed, this culture is still going on in many families, which is being carried on like an unjust inheritance. Historically, Hindu Succession Law favored male heirs. where Daughters were often excluded from property rights under the assumption that marriage would provide them with financial security. This systemic exclusion became a cultural norm, subtly reinforced through generations.
The Gender Divide: Sons Get the Land, Daughters Get the Blessings
In India, inequality in inheritance is a common thing. In many Indian homes, daughters are brought up with the expectation of taking decisions regarding land, business and home. Secondly, daughters are told very clearly that they should not have too many expectations. This is ingrained in the minds of daughters since childhood. And this whole sentence is ingrained in their minds in this way that it appears in sentences like this:
● Your brother will take care of you
● Your husband will take care of you
● When you get married, we will give you a dowry These deeply internalized beliefs not only fuel financial discrimination but also reinforce a hierarchy where a woman’s worth is secondary.
Legal Reforms: A Step Forward, But Not Enough
The Hindu Rights (Amendment) Act, 2005, was a historic reform. It gave daughters the right to half of their
share in the property of their husbands. It was revolutionary. However, the opposition reduced its impact.
Many women are unaware of this right, and those who know and claim their rights often have to face
emotional blackmail and social contempt.
Inheritance inequality continues because:
● To avoid the legal process, the family prefers oral records.
● Daughters sign relinquishment deeds under pressure.
● Women fear that by claiming property they might break their ties with the family.
Case Studies: Real Lives, Real Struggles
1. The Reluctant Claimant: Rani, a school teacher in Uttar Pradesh, was denied her share of ancestral property. When she approached a lawyer, her brothers accused her of being greedy. Her own mother urged her to drop the case for “the family’s peace.”
2. The Silent Sacrifice: Kavita, an entrepreneur in Bengaluru, relinquished her rights to ancestral land to “maintain harmony.” Today, she regrets it as her male relatives use the land for commercial gain while she struggles with her start-up. These are not isolated stories; they echo in thousands of Indian homes.
The Psychology of Silence
What makes inheritance inequality particularly dangerous is its silence. Females are stopped from
speaking or raising their voice, and it is instilled in them that demanding one’s rights is a matter of great
shame, and if she does so, then they will consider them selfish.
Society often labels them as:
● Home-breakers
● Money-minded
● Disloyal daughters
This emotional blackmail ensures that no woman ever demands her rights legally.
Rural vs Urban: The Divide Within the Divide
In urban India, the public and education systems have improved the possibilities for women to fight against inequality. But in rural areas, the situation remains the same. Patriarchy is more deeply entrenched, and
women’s economic dependence limits their ability to claim their rights. There are some mothers in cities who carry this thinking with them and encourage their daughters working in the corporate sector to give up their rights for their brothers. After all, how good is this thinking?
The Impact: Beyond Economics
Inheritance inequality doesn’t just rob women of land or money—it has a cascading impact:
● Loss of economic independence: Due to this, the female is always dependent on someone or the
other; instead of thinking for herself, she is always dependent on others. Property is one of the few
appreciating assets. Being denied it means starting from scratch.
● Psychological toll: Constantly hearing that you are less capable makes you stop giving yourself
self-respect
● Inequality in generations: When a female does not inherit anything, she is able to give less to her
children, which continues this cycle.
The Changing Tide: Women Who Fought Back
Despite the odds, some women are rewriting the rules:
● Subhashni Ali, an activist and politician who continues to fight for heritage and inequality. And works
to make women independent.
● Now there are many such grassroots organizations in Mumbai which are making women in rural areas
aware of their rights.
● Legal aid centers are increasingly supporting women who wish to assert their rights without fear of
retaliation.
Social Media and Awareness
The digital age is proving to be a powerful tool against inheritance inequality. Now, females are boldly creating their accounts and sharing the issues of inequality, which is giving courage to more females to take a stand for themselves. they represent a movement aimed at dismantling age-old biases and normalizing equality in family wealth distribution. Through blogs, vlogs, and digital campaigns.
What Needs to Be Done
1. Legal Literacy: Females should be educated about their rights
2. Mandatory Property Registration: To prevent coercion, all inheritance transactions should be legally documented.
3. Counseling and Support: The family should be given guidance for equal distribution
4. Stronger Enforcement: The government must penalize unlawful deprivation of women’s property rights.
5. Cultural Reeducation: Independent women should be showcased through television serials and
movies.
Conclusion: Silence is Not Golden
Inheritance inequality in Indian households is a silent war struggle that is destroying trust, honesty, and
equality in the family. To eliminate it, the law has laid its foundation, but the real fight is to change the
mindset. A truly progressive society is one where sons and daughters inherit equally, not just on paper, but in
practice. It’s time for Indian households to rise above tradition and embrace fairness. Because inheritance is
not a favor. It’s right.