A government official in Rajasthan’s Kota district has written a letter appealing to the public that women who want to voluntarily give up their right to khetdari (ancestral agricultural land) should do so on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
In a letter issued on August 21 from the office of Digod tehsildar Dilip Singh Prajapati in Kota district and signed by him, women’s rights groups have termed its contents as patriarchal and sexist.
The letter says ‘press note’ on top and the subject line reads ‘Raksha Bandhan ko yaadgaar banaiye, bahino se swechhik hak tyag karvaiye (Make Raksha Bandhan memorable, get sisters to voluntarily relinquish their rights)’.
“When a khatedar dies, the names of his son, daughter and wife are recorded in his place as natural heirs. In many religions and families, it has been a tradition for generations that sisters and daughters do not take their share from ancestral agricultural land and immovable property and instead take their share from in-laws property,” the appeal said.
The letter said that sometimes women want to give up this right voluntarily but the process is not completed due to the negligence of the farmers. It is also said that at times when land is acquired by the government, compensation checks are often issued in the name of sisters or daughters.
“Circumstances give rise to sins and in such situations some sisters do not return the check amount to their brothers. And in the end, brothers and sisters die because of not talking for life,” it says.
Prajapati also mentions that in case of the death of the woman, the names of her husband or children are added as owners, and even if the person joining the two families has died, the son-in-law will share the land with the land. Sells at price. .
“This is just one example. There are lifelong court battles, even murders. While there was a time when sister was willing to give up her rights voluntarily but her name was not removed. Make Raksha Bandhan a memorable one, Ask the sisters to voluntarily renounce their rights,” the letter said.
When contacted, Tehsildar Prajapati said that there was nothing sexist in his letter. “There are no patriarchal undertones in the letter. I have mentioned the words “voluntarily giving up” many times. Men and women are equal in the eyes of law and the names of women are included in the revenue records. But women who want to voluntarily give up their rights can do so. I have seen generations get wasted in court battles. That’s why I have written the letter. Negligence or delay can lead to disputes. It is just an appeal, not an order. I mentioned Raksha Bandhan because at this time all the sisters come to their parents’ house,” said Prajapati Indian Express.
Meanwhile, women’s rights activists have condemned the appeal. “The letter speaks of patriarchy. The constitution has given equal rights to men and women. Why is there no talk of men giving up their rights? Chandrakala Sharma, state coordinator of Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan (ENSS) that works for the rights of single women, including widowed or divorced women.
He said that many single women engaged in agriculture depend on ancestral land for livelihood. “It is up to the women whether they want to retain the rights on their ancestral land or not. Working with unmarried women, we have seen many people who do not want to give up their rights on ancestral land as it serves as a means of livelihood and they can become financially independent. Linking the appeal to Raksha Bandhan shows an attempt to put pressure on women emotionally,” Sharma said.
“Women who wish to voluntarily give up their share can do so on any day, whether it is Raksha Bandhan or not. But under no circumstances women should be compelled or coerced to do so,” said Kota district collector Ujjwal Rathore.
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