Shillong Times: Meghalaya: Tuesday, August 28, 2018.
In our campaign for the Equitable Distribution of Self Acquired and Ancestral Property Act , many people that I come across have misunderstood the word Equitable for Equal. According to the dictionary meaning of the word, ‘ Equitable’ means fair and just. Therefore we leave it to the wisdom of the parents to give to how much to whom. If in their wisdom the parents feel that the youngest daughter should inherit everything the law will not stop them but at least the word Equitable leaves them with an option.
Secondly, in our tradition, there is still a practice followed by many traditionalist, that when there is no daughter in a family , the moment the parents, more so the mother, dies then the mother’s clan would lay claim to all the property including the house, thus leaving the sons literally out on a limb. A law that will allow the parents to WILL out their property to their sons , will protect the sons’ rights from this outdated and unjust practice.
Thirdly, the whole world today revolves around the economy. The primary source of strength of a nation is its economy. A nation is strong if its economy is robust. So families that have the resources should economically empower all the children equitably otherwise how will the children and our Jaidbynriew become economically strong ?
In our campaign for the RTI Act and the Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, the Maitshaphrang have always believed that if the general public are not aware first, of the pros and cons of the law we are demanding, it will be useless to have the law. We have therefore always placed the Act in the public domain so that the public can ask questions, criticize, offer suggestions and comments. The campaign for this particular law has been there for the past 30 years plus together with the Compulsory Registration of Marriage through articles in the print media, pamphlets, posters , house meetings and recently through social media.
In conclusion, I would like to thank Gary Marbaniang for his comments and critiques and we have taken note of both his article and letter to the editor. We welcome all constructive opinions.
Yours etc.,
Michael N Syiem,
Via email
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