SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE: WIDOW REMARRIAGES AND THEIR RIGHTS

Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha is committed to women empowerment through education. Bharatratna Dhondo Keshav Karve worked hard for the upliftment of women. Since that time, many social reformers have been fighting for rights of widows. ‘Hindu Succession Act’, 1956 protects the right of a widow in the self-acquired property of her deceased husband without a will. Her right on the property remains as it is despite her remarriage. There has been revolutionary change in the quality of life of widows over the period but widow remarriages have still not been accepted easily in our society. The government implemented schemes like ‘Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme’, ‘Home for Widows’ etc. Our study highlights the perspective of society on widow remarriages and consequently their property succession rights. The paper also throws light on probable reasons for the low percentage of widow remarriages even in the 21st century. The data was collected on the E- platform and analyzed statistically. The findings suggest the need for awareness about the government schemes for widows. Though the society encourages widow remarriages, the observations show hesitant approach towards ‘Inheritance Rights’ of widows.