WORKSHOP ON IMPACT OF HINDU SUCCESSION ACT ON GENDER EQUALITY
Venue- Project Swarajya Premises, Date: 7th June-2006
Executive Summery
Taking a noble and prospective objective on Women Empowerment, their economic freedom and implementation of provisions like transference of interests in Coparcenaries Property etc of Hindu Succession Act, “Project Swarajya, Indian Lawyer’s Association and INSAF ” have jointly organized a one day workshop on ‘Impact of Hindu Succession Act on Gender Equality’ in the office premises of Project Swarajya on 7th June-2006.
The main objective of the workshop was to mobilise the conscious and responsible citizens on adoption and implementation of the provisions of Hindu Succession Act and it’s impact on gender equality. The Hindu succession Act came into force on 17th June,1956 when it received the assent of the President. It extends to the whole of India except the State of the Jammu and Kashmir. To amend and codify the law relating to intestate succession among Hindus, this Act was enacted by Parliament in the Seventh Year of the Republic of India. According to this Act, when a male Hindu dies after the commencement of this Act, having at the time of his death an interest in a Mitakshara coparcenary property, his interest in the property shall devolve by survivorship upon the surviving members of the coparcener. In order to build up a temperament for changing the patriarchal mind set among the general public including the Judges, People’s Representatives, social activists, legal practitioners, Media Personnel (Electronic and Print) and dignitaries, the above organizations have organized the said workshop.
The Workshop Deliberated by:
1. Smt.Annapurna Moharana, Eminent Freedom Fighter, Sarvodaya Leader and recently Winner of SARALA Award
2. Hon’ble Justice Purna Chandra Mishra, Orissa High Court
3. Hon’ble Justice Madan Mohan Das, Orissa High Court
4. Smt. Namrat Chhadha, Ex Member, Mahila Commission, Orissa
5. Sj. Chitta Ranjan Nanda, Senior Advocate Orissa High Court and General Secretary of Indian Lawyers Association
6. Smt. Yogamaya Pattnaik, Eminent Social Activist and President of Basundhra
7. Sj.Trilochan Kanungo, Ex MP
8. Smt.Kasturi Mohapatra, Eminent Social Activist and Secretary OLS
9. Smt. Minakhi Panda, Lecturer CT Women’s College
10. Smt. Arati Ghosh, Reader MS Law College
11. Sj. Chitta Ranjan Mohanty, Social Activist
12. Smt. Dolli Dash, Secretary Project Swarajya
13. Smt. Saila Behera, Secretary Basundhara
14. Sj. Rukshana Khan, NEC Member INSAF
15. Sj, Kalimulla khan, NSS Coordinator and Lecturer
16. Ramesh Alli Besant, Convener INSAF
17. Ms Supriya Mallick, Social Activist
18. Ashis Senapat ,Advocate and Journalist of English and Oriya dailies.
Inaugural Session:
Institutionally the workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Smt. Annapurna Moharana an eminent freedom fighter by lightening the candle. Other dignitaries like Hon’ble Justice, P.C. Mishra and M.M. Das graced the inaugural session with a spirit of high penetration of the topic in to the minds of the participants. The objective of the workshop was stated by Ms Dolli Dash, Secretary of Project Swarajya followed by the welcome address. The Secretary, Project Swarajya assigned the precious job of recognition of the Guests on Sj. Chitta Ranjan Nanda who offered a splendid presentation before the participants and audience by explaining the distinction in respect of the Guests.
Thereafter Ms. Dolli Dash, Secretary, Project Swarajya elucidated the rationale of the workshop elaborately. By highlighting the status of the women in the present society she expressed that a desirable change is yet to be accentuated among the general public regarding provision of Hindu succession Act and bring a tantamount feeling on gender equality for both male and female by ensuring equal right on the property as earmarked in the Hindu Succession Act. She also emphasized on the provision of inheritance of property by female successors alike male members and it’s relevance on the succeeding days. She expressed in candid manner to the resource persons and participants to participate in the deliberation considering as a debate for accomplishment of the very objective of the Workshop. On the request of organizers Dr. Yogamaya Pattnaik presided over the Inaugural Session of the workshop.
Highlight of the deliberation:
Among the other he viewed that the amended bill is going against the interest of Hindu family. This would impact adversely on the relationship of kinship pattern. He concentrated on necessity of marriage registration and peace full conjugal life without discrimination, atrocity and scapegoat in the society. While explaining the provisions of the Hindu Succession Act he illuminated many instances still persists in our country even after 58 years of Independence. He explained the reasons of the discrimination and misconceptions among the people who run after justice from the Court of law. Regarding inheritance of property he accentuated that court is open for the people to render justice as per specification of the Hindu Succession Act-1956. According to him the cases as and when come to the limelight are well judged and women are getting justice but in some cases the women force are dominated by the male keeping their right in doldrums.
· Hon’ble Justice M.M. Das:
Mr M.M. Das, Hon’ble Justice Orissa High Court welcomed the participants and described the provisions of Hindu Succession Act by imparting very many illustrations on Gender discrimination in the society. Similar to Justice Mishra, Justice M.M. Das expressed his doubt on how the amended Act will impact on the family structure of the Indian society. He concerted on gender equality and corroborated the establishment of psychological preparation of the victims to bring their suffocation to the limelight and avail justice as per law. He also extolled the effort of the social activists for which exploitation and discrimination has reduced in the society.
· Namrata Chhadha:
By paying due respect to the chairpersons, Smt. Namrata Chhadha welcomed the participants and delivered her eloquent speech highlighting the gender discrimination and torture on women in the existing society. She confessed that women are helpless in the present society and even they are surrendering their life before inhumanity of their bridegroom and father in-laws and for shake of dowry demand of mere some thousands of rupees or ornaments like bride price. She also accentuated on people’s misconception about importance of male child instead of female child although some take plea on the auspicious birth of a girl child. Destruction of female foetus from the mother’s womb is insolence to the gender equality. She attributed that in which society women have lost their birth right there is no relevant shore up is expected for inheritance of property to the female members of a family next to the Father keeping equal right as per the Hindu succession Act. She also demanded a life with respect , equal status and peace in the society on behalf of women society. She also expressed that people should understand the need of such provisions as which have been enacted.
From the audience side:- Sj. Lalit kumar Mishra requested to explain the participation of women in military service depicting the Mother of one hundred sons- Gandhari of Mohabharat. Against it Smt. Namrata Chhadha did not stress on the point but she expressed that women need to live with respect availing the equal right and justice.
· Smt. Saila Behera- Social Activist.
In response to the opinion of both the Judges Ms Saila Behera told that this was not expected from the think tank whom the deprived section depend for getting justice. Smt. Saila Behera emphasized the need of awareness among the rural women for development of villages where the implementation of Hindu succession Act is indispensable. She also expressed the urgent need of dissemination of messages in the corners of the state. She focused on the success of the Act in Andhrapradesh, Moharastra and Tamilnadu and insisted to make it success in Orissa. During the course of deliberation she exemplified the torture of fathers and brothers on daughter and sister respectively. She called for women empowerment and complete emancipation of women from all sorts of discrimination and torture.
· Smt. Supriya Mallick:
In the workshop Smt. Supriya Mallick enlighten the system of inheritance of property in the Society. She emphasized that women are having little muscle power to fight for their legitimacy. Inheritance of property is enjoyed by male dominated society but women are unable to protest against the exploitation. According to her, very many male members are living in the society who never think about their daughter and wives. Even some conscious individuals are indulged in the same inconvenience that hinders women empowerment.
· Smt. Arati Ghosh: Reader ,M.S. Law College:
While participating in the deliberation Smt. Arati Ghosh explained about the status of traditional women and role as well as status of women in the present context. She also highlighted the prejudices existing in the society between son and daughter within the family. She also explained about vested interest of the members for certain cases damages the peace and cohesion among the relatives. According to her it is the sole responsibility of the parents to avoid the discrimination between son and daughter. She appealed the mankind to welcome in developing manner to accept the provisions of Hindu Succession Act-1956. While concentrating on women empowerment she exemplified three words such as (1) Kinda- Give birth children (2) Kirti- worship (3) Kuchi- to perform cooking in the kitchen by attributing the main impediments on the way of liberation .
· Sj. Trilochan kanungo:
By explaining the status of women and their liberty equality etc., Sj. Trilochan Kanungo stated about one publication viz. Atmajeevani which is not an autobiography but elaborate presentation of equality and status of women in the society. He also elucidated the autobiography of Annapurna Moharana who was the Chief Guest of the Workshop. Among the long hour of eloquence he corroborated the impact of workshops and seminars in the process of women empowerment in the society. He also expressed that women are no way feeble than the men. They have all rights to conquer the position which was occupied by male dominated society. The message should reach the illiterate and the communities where educational development is yet to be achieved. According to him Hindu Succession Act has provided facilities on inheritance of property with a hope to emulate gender equality in the society. Hence it is the responsibility of the responsible citizens to make the expedition success in the corners of the state.
· Minakhi Panda:
She emphasized on the economic independence of women in the society. While representating the issue she quoted few cases of women empowerment . According to her only 10 % of the women have been able to be placed in dignified positions but others are being preyed by the male dominated society. She also focused on self employment of women and which will create ample employment for others in the society. She also expressed that this type of workshop and deliberation on the issue will definitely bring changes in the mind of the people who forget to work for the distressed rather indulge in derogative acts that brings harm to the nation.
· Smt. Kasturi Mohapatra:
She stressed that if everything will happen in right manner and the women society get their legitimate rights in the common society, there is no need of law. Due to lack of awareness and education in rural areas many unfortunate incidents are occurring. Even some conscious citizens are committing the offence as like as orthodox individuals. She construed that we all rather pay more attention on the issue and make an attempt to fetch the justifiable rights for the helpless in the society. On gender equality she apprehended that the issue of long past still persists in the society which need collective effort of relinquish form the fold of developing scenario. She also expressed her contentment on the valuable discussions in the workshop meant for women and their rights on inheritance of property and they are no way inside the bracket of inequality so far as gender equality is concerned.
· Sj.Chitta Ranjan Mohanty:
Along with many mythological illustrations Sj. Chittan Ranjan Mohanty narrated the present condition of women in the society and their performance in many sphere. He expressed that Sita accompanied her husband Rama Chandra during 12 years banishment in the traditional society in view of dedication of women towards their husband. It is no doubt women are very much dedicated in the society. The impact of westernization has offered the exotic designed dresses but no other changes in the live pattern of women in the society. No body intends to destroy their conjugal life. It happens due to lack of awareness. So he emphasized that this type of workshop will definitely bring changes in the society. Hindu Succession Act will be implemented without hesitation. Gender equality has been well observed among the intellectual mass. He accused some educated and well placed persons who were committing mistakes by doing unlawful deeds.
Sj Ashis Senapati:
After participating in the workshop Sj Senapati expressed his contentment and quoted about success of the workshop.
Interactive Session:
The question answer session continued for one and half hour when all could be able to clear their ambiguity and could be able to render their valuable suggestions. Example of many difficult situations and superstitions were clarified by the experts, social activists.
Sj Ramesh Alli Besant:
Presiding over the 2nd session Mr Besant concluded the essences of the whole day discussion in an interactive manner. He also suggested to conduct such type of workshop and seminar by involving women groups for more effectiveness of the amended Act. He also appreciated the organizers for the noble effort. He also confessed that through this type of workshops necessary impact must be reinforced among the people
Ruksana Khan, Project Director, Drug de-addiction Center gave vote of thanks to the chairperson and participants. About 90 participants attended the workshop.
The workshop came to an end with a good hope followed by refreshment.