Inheritance Laws Of Baha’i Community: A Gendered Analysis Of Inheritance Under The Kitab-I-Aqdas And

Inheritance Laws Of Baha’i Community: A Gendered Analysis Of Inheritance Under The Kitab-I-Aqdas And The Indian Succession Act

Ishita Kohli, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat

ABSTRACT

This paper seeks to explore gender equality in inheritance laws of the Baha’i community as stated under the Holy-Book Kitab-i-Aqdas. While many argue that interstate succession favours males over females this paper attempts to establish that the Baha’i laws in fact create a symmetrical equality between sexes. This has been done by exploring the application of the Principle of Mutatis Mutandis on inheritance laws under the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Additionally, the concept of private property as understood by the Baha’is and its effect on testamentary succession is also discussed. Further, an overview on inheritance laws of the community in India has been elucidated in an attempt to showcase how inheritance under the Kitab-i-Aqdas may in fact be more progressive and gender neutral.