Uttar Pradesh is on the verge of a historic reform that could reshape property rights for rural women. The state government plans to grant married daughters equal inheritance rights in agricultural land, challenging decades of gender disparity.
1. Current Law Excludes Married Daughters
Under the UP Revenue Code, 2006 (Section 108[2]), agricultural land passes to the deceased farmer’s:
- Wife
- Sons
- Unmarried daughters
Married daughters were excluded unless no other legal heir existed. Critics argue this contradicts the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, which grants daughters equal rights in property.
2. The Proposed Change
The government plans to remove the word “unmarried” from the inheritance clause. If approved:
- Married daughters will inherit land on par with sons and unmarried daughters
- UP will join Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh as states with progressive land laws for women
This reform aims to eliminate gender bias in rural inheritance practices.
3. Why Agricultural Land Rights Matter
For rural families, land is more than an asset—it represents:
- Livelihood and food security
- Social status and empowerment
- Access to institutional credit and financial independence
By granting married daughters equal rights, the government strengthens women’s economic and social standing in villages.
4. Boost for Gender Equality
Activists hail this move as a historic step toward justice for rural women. While daughters already enjoy equal rights in urban property, agricultural land remained a gray area. The reform:
- Recognizes married daughters as rightful heirs
- Encourages women’s participation in farming
- Strengthens bargaining power within families
5. Implementation and Challenges
The proposal awaits cabinet approval and state assembly passage. Experts recommend:
- Clear guidelines for land partition and registration
- Awareness campaigns to educate families in rural areas
This ensures smooth adoption and reduces potential disputes.
6. Broader Impact Across India
Agricultural inheritance laws vary across states:
- Some exclude married daughters entirely
- Others give conditional rights
- Only a few, like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, offer full equality
If UP, India’s most populous state, adopts this reform, it could influence other states and pave the way for national uniformity in land rights.
✅ Bottom Line
- Current law: Married daughters largely excluded
- Proposed reform: Equal inheritance rights for all daughters
- Impact: Greater gender equality, improved financial security, and recognition of women as rightful heirs
This reform, if enacted, will mark a historic turning point for women’s land rights in Uttar Pradesh and send a strong message across India: a daughter is an equal heir, married or not.
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