Marxian economist and former vice-chairman of the State Planning Board Prabhat Patnaik said Kerala should adopt a law that would assure equal rights on property for men and women after marriage.
Inaugurating a national seminar on changing Malayali culture at the Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Tirur, on Monday, Dr. Patnaik said the government should also bring in legislation to ensure free treatment for road accident trauma victims. He also called upon the government to implement more stringent laws against filling of paddy fields. Dr. Patnaik said gender inequality and sections without a home and a piece of land were the biggest challenges being faced by contemporary Kerala. Neoliberalism and the Hindutva forces continue to be a challenge to modern society, he said.
Vice-Chancellor K. Jayakumar presided. He felicitated senior social scientist P.K.B. Nair at the function. Dr. Patnaik released
Sameeksha , a journal brought out by the Department of Sociology, by handing over a copy to Prof. Nair. Academics Johny C. Joseph, M. Sreenathan, K.M. Bharatan, T. Anitakumari, T.P. Kunhikkannan, K.S. Hakeem, S.S. Swapnarani and V.K. Sujit spoke.
