Stridhan; The Indian Women’s right

Stridhan; The Indian Women’s right

The belief that women had no right to property persisted until they were recognized as equal members of society. Over time, as women gained more status, Stridhan became acknowledged in Hindu Law, contributing significantly to the laws for women in India.

Initially, women did not have full ownership of their property, and their husbands' consent was required to dispose of it. The Hindu Succession Act of 1956 changed this by granting women absolute ownership of property, dividing it into two categories:

1. Stridhan - Property that women can enjoy and dispose of without restrictions, reinforcing the laws protecting women.
2. Women's Estate - Property with limited power for women, allowing only use without the right to dispose of it as they wish, highlighting the rights of a married woman in India.

In the case of Pratibha Rani vs. Suraj Kumar, the Supreme Court differentiated between Dowry and Stridhan, emphasizing the specific components of Stridhan and bolstering the awareness of women's rights in India. The court clarified that a woman can sue her husband for the return of Stridhan property under relevant provisions of law, solidifying the laws related to women's rights in India.

The Court ruled that items acquired by a woman during marriage, including gifts, are part of her Stridhan. This legal development empowers women by giving them ownership and independence over property, elevating their status in society and contributing to the ongoing awareness of women's rights in India.

Stridhan provides women with authority over succession, management, alienation, and surrender of property, enhancing their financial security and autonomy.

The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, has been instrumental in securing property rights for Hindu women, granting them privileges that were historically denied, thus reinforcing the laws related to women's rights in India.