Religion In India

Sociological studies of women's experiences with conservative religions are typically framed by a paradox that ponders women's complicity. The prevailing view associates agency with strategic subjects who use religion to further extra-religious ends and pays little attention to the cultural and institutional contexts that shape “compliance.”

For thousands of years religion has had a strong hold over the lives of human beings. Religion exists in all known societies, although religious beliefs and practices vary from culture to culture. Religions involve a set of symbols, invoking feelings of reverence or awe, and are linked to rituals or ceremonials engaged in by a community of believers. The rituals associated with religion are very diverse.

The facilities of education totally vanished. However, during the 15th century, the situation had undergone some changes. Ramanujacharya organised the first Bhakti Movement during this period, which introduced new trends in the social and religious life of women in India. The Bhaktas(saints) like Meera, Kabir, Nanak, Tulsi, Tukaram, stood for the right of women to religious worship. Though their total conception of women's status was not quite free from the then prevailing attitude to womanhood, yet this movement unlocked the gate of religious freedom to women. As a result of this freedom, the purdah system was abolished. Attending kathas and keertans freed women from the circumscribed domestic life. The 'Grihastashram' emphasized upon the Bhakti Movement, did not permit saints to take sanyas without the consent of wife. This implied giving an important right to women. This movement had other effects also. Since, the time of Manu women were debarred from education. The saints encouraged women to read religious books and to educate themselves. Thus, the Bhakti Movement gave a new life to women. However, since this Movement did not bring any change in the economic structure, so women continued to hold low status in the society. Their status later on improved due to the effects of the British

While various punishments are prescribed under this law, it does not automatically affect the validity of child marriages. It declares that child marriage is voidable at the option of the minor party. It is void automatically only if it takes place in violation of a court injunction against its taking place.

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, ‘dowry’ means any property or valuable security. It is given, or agreed to be given, by one party of the marriage to the other party. It can be given at the time of marriage, before marriage, or anytime after the marriage. Dowry does not include dower/mahr. Giving or taking of dowry is a punishable offence under the Act.

The Indian Constitution guarantees special protection for the several religious and cultural minorities present in the country. However, within each of these communities there exist discriminatory practices that bind members of that community. For instance, women are prohibited from entering certain Hindu temples. The Bombay High Court, in State of Bombay v. Narasu Appa Mali (“Narasu”) distinguished personal laws from custom, and held that Article 13 would not cover personal laws in their unadulterated