What should you know about the Widow Remarriage Act when it was passed and what has it brought into light?
The Widow Remarriage Act reformed the widows’ life in Indian society, focusing on the provision of widow remarriage. The situation and freedom women have in the current times are far better than that in the past.
Women before and post India’s independence had no control over their life. They weren’t subjected to equal rights with men and were considered the submissive gender. Sati and Johar, the two social evils, were responsible for putting them down, giving them no freedom. Throughout the life of the women, they were under the control of men.
Men, children, marriage, husband, etc. overshadowed women’s feelings, needs and expectations. Even after the death of their husband, at an early age, they weren’t allowed to remarry. Women had to live with the tag of a widow, looking like a window by not wearing colourful clothing. That’s when Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a social reformer, brings a ray of hope. He advocated the widow remarriage act
The Condition Of Widow
When the husband died, women had no identity or life to live. They had to live like a saint in a white dress for the rest of her life. They were expected to sacrifice their life, needs and expectations, with no makeup, no new clothes, no good food and no festivities, society and family members.
It was no less than torture for them. In some parts of the country, they were even blamed for the death of their husband. The situation was something they didn’t deserve. And remarriage was strictly prohibited, even if the girl was just a child, as earlier marriage was common.
The Reality That Changed Women’s Life
There was a time when women in India were considered the door to hell. Women were suppressed; they never had their own identity. This stereotyping continued until Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar broke the customs related to women. He worked hard, initiated a culture of widow remarriage in the country. The enactment of the Widow Remarriage Act took place in the year 1856 only to improve the widow’s condition in India.
The Act was about protecting women to marry another man and starting a new life. But it was also focused on safeguarding and protecting men who were marrying widows. This Widow Remarriage Act came into the picture and highlighted the importance of widow remarriage. It eliminated all sorts of superstition and inequality prevalent in Hindu society.
- The law said that the women who remarried have the same rights and inheritances as women who marry only once.
- They must be treated as a newly married woman, just as a woman who gets married the first time.
- The widow loses any inheritance she has received or obtained from her deceased husband.
- The Widow Remarriage Act also provides legal assistance and safeguarding men who married widows.
- Widow remarriage became common and most talked about in lower castes.
Laws Under The Widow Remarriage Act
All the obstacles acted as a roadblock for women to live everyday life, even after the untimely husbands’ death. The Widow Remarriage Act enlightened it, eliminating the challenges in the second marriage.
The law empowered the civil court for administering such matters. The Act exempts the practice of all the unwanted and challenging customs that were in opposition to the widow remarriage.
- Legalised Marriage
- Cessation of widows right in property
- Custody of children of the deceased husband
- Childless widow retaining the right to inheritance
- Rights in the second marriage
- Ceremonies
- Consent of minor widow
The Pros Of Widow Remarriage In India
- The freedom of living everyday life, starting a new life and not giving up oneself
- A second chance to live as a married women
- Companionship, knowing someone can love again, without being tagged as a widow for life
Conclusion
India is a land of customs and traditions. While some are enjoyable, one doesn’t make any sense. And widows not remarrying was one of them. This Act aimed to support widows and give them legal rights to start a new life.