Abstract:
This research explores the rights of Hindu women in Bangladesh and India, focusing
on their legal, social, and cultural dimensions through a comparative lens. It examines
the historical and contemporary legal frameworks governing inheritance, marriage,
property ownership, and other personal laws that significantly impact Hindu women's
lives in both countries. The study highlights the influence of religious and customary
practices on the codification and application of laws, underscoring the disparities
between constitutional guarantees of equality and the lived realities of Hindu women.
By comparing the legal systems of Bangladesh and India, the research identifies
similarities, such as shared reliance on Hindu personal laws, and differences, such as
variations in judicial interpretations and policy reforms. The study also addresses
challenges faced by Hindu women, including patriarchal interpretations of laws and the
tension between religious autonomy and gender equality. The findings aim to provide
a critical understanding of the effectiveness of existing legal provisions in ensuring
rights for Hindu women and suggest potential pathways for reform. This research
contributes to the broader discourse on gender justice and the reconciliation of religious
laws with constitutional commitments to equality and human rights.
