Teacher Couple Remarries After 55 Years to Secure Daughters’ Property Rights

In an unusual and heartwarming ceremony, Basheer Master and Haseena Teacher, a couple from Palakkad, have officially remarried under the Special Marriage Act after 55 years of their domestic life. The simple ceremony, held at the Mannarkkad Sub Registrar’s Office, was witnessed by close friends and family.

Basheer, a former Alappuzha District Education Officer, and Haseena, a retired teacher from KTM High School, commenced their marital journey over five decades ago. However, their initial union lacked formal registration in either religious institutions or government records.

The couple’s decision to remarry stems from a crucial concern regarding their daughters’ inheritance rights. According to Muslim personal law, daughters do not receive equal rights to ancestral property after the demise of their parents. To circumvent this provision and ensure equitable property distribution for their children, they opted for registration under the Special Marriage Act.

Speaking about their decision, Basheer stated that while they have taken the necessary steps for their children, their remarriage also aims to convey a significant message to society. Haseena Teacher has consistently supported Basheer’s progressive views and his stance against traditional norms, and this occasion was no different. A celebratory wedding feast was also organized at their home.

This event echoes a similar widely publicized incident two years ago, when actor and advocate C. Shukkoor and his wife Sheena Shukkoor registered their marriage under the Special Marriage Act on International Women’s Day, with their children present. This action was also taken to address the Islamic inheritance law, which dictates that if a deceased father has only daughters, they inherit only two-thirds of the property, with the remainder distributed among siblings. Registering under the Special Marriage Act bypasses this stipulation, ensuring full inheritance rights for daughters.