Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill, 2021

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in the state of Meghalaya has announced the introduction of the Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill 2021. The law aims to “fairly distribute” parental property among siblings of the Khasi community. If enforced, the proposed law would modify the ancient Khasi inheritance practices of the matrilineal Khasi.

Matrilineal System of Inheritance

The three tribes of Meghalaya (Khasi, Jaintias, and Garo) practice this system of inheritance. In this system, ancestors and ancestors are tracked through the mother’s clan. In other words, the children take the name of the mother, the husband moves to the wife’s house, and the youngest daughter of the family (khatduh) is entrusted with the full amount of the property of the ancestor or clan. Khatduh becomes the “guardian” of the land and takes on all land-related responsibilities, including the care of old parents, unmarried or poor siblings. This inheritance tradition applies only to the property of ancestors or clans / communities owned by the family for years. Self-acquired properties can be evenly divided among siblings. For couples without a daughter in this traditional facility, ownership belongs to the female sister and her daughter. If a woman has no sisters, the clan generally takes over the property.

Issue regarding this system

The impact of this system on women’s empowerment is not much, as female activists often point out that the Meghalaya maternal system rarely empowers women. Custody is often misunderstood as belonging to one person, the youngest daughter. This guardian is closely associated with the responsibility of caring for older parents, unmarried or poor siblings, and members of other clans. In addition, custodians cannot buy or sell land without the permission of her maternal uncle. Matrilineality is not maternal, and people are often confused with maternal and maternal where women act as leaders. The women are free to move and may be well educated, but they are not decision makers of the state. Few women are at the top of power, politics, or institution.

Provisions of the Bill

The proposed law aims to ensure a “fair distribution” of parental property between both male and female siblings. The bill will allow parents to decide who to hand over their property to. If the siblings marry a non-Khasi and embrace the customs and culture of their spouse, they will prevent them from acquiring the property of their parents.

Impact of the Bill

Over the years, some groups have protested the system of property inheritance, claiming that it “does not inherit” men and insisted on a fair distribution of property among all children in the family. This modifies the old general inheritance practices of the maternal Khasi. This law aims to strengthen the economy based on the principle of fair distribution of property.