‘Only Sons Eligible, Not Daughters’ – Banks Refuse Loan to Woman To Build House For Aged Parents
The internet recently saw the face of the regressiveness of Indian society when a woman shared her experience at the bank on Twitter.
The internet recently saw the face of the regressiveness of Indian society when a woman shared her experience at the bank on Twitter. Twitter user Renee shares that ‘Went to SBI @TheOfficialSBI for a home loan for building a house in my parents’ name. They refused saying I was an unmarried woman and that my brother was the “true heir” of the family so only he could apply for a loan on a house that is in my parents’ name.’
The woman, who has been working for 6 years now, could not understand the policies. The bank officials further told her that even if her brother applies for the loan, her signatures will be needed. She will have to sign papers saying, “I won’t interfere in the future by asking for a part of the property.” Being disgusted by the clause, she asked the bank officials why they would need her signatures. To which the bank officials told her that once she gets married, she will belong to her husband’s family and not her parents’.
She also checked with another bank if she could get a joint loan with her brother. But that bank also refused the loan. Renee wrote on Twitter – ‘We also checked with HDFC @HDFC_Bank for the loan, either in my name or a joint loan with my brother and once again I’m told that I can’t get a loan since my husband might not allow me to pay the instalments for my parents’ house in the future.’
She also wrote ‘India is a long long way from equality. #India’
This outrageous incident happened on 30 March and the Banks have since then approached Renee to resolve this issue. However, the fact that this kind of incident occurred in the first place shows how regressive the society is. This is an example of why India is a long way away from Gender Equality. If we cannot even think about something as simple as a woman taking care of her parents, then we are nowhere near resolving other more serious problems.
-Staff Reporter
