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.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Written by Sulaiman Razvi<\/span><\/p>\n .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Women in India have endured long periods of social and religious discrimination. Hindu scriptures portray women as inferior, at times equating them with property or placing them in a status comparable to that of Shudra<\/span>s<\/span>. Such readings have often been used to justify denying women equal rights and autonomy. For instance, in the observance of <\/span>Karvachauth<\/span>, only the wife is expected to fast for her husband\u2019s <\/span>well being<\/span>, while no similar obligation is imposed on the husband. Married women are required to wear symbols such as the <\/span>mangalsutra<\/span> and apply <\/span>sindoor<\/span> to signify their marital status, whereas men are not bound by comparable visible markers.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Superstitious beliefs have also contributed to <\/span>gender based<\/span> inequality. A girl born under certain astrological conditions may be labelled as <\/span>Manglik<\/span>, and it is believed that her husband may face early death. In some cases, this has led to ritual practices such as marrying the girl to a tree or a<\/span> dog <\/span>before her actual marriage. Traditional norms have further required widows to live a life of strict celibacy after the death of their husbands, and in earlier times, some were even expected to commit <\/span>S<\/span>ati. In contrast, widowers have historically been free to remarry and, in some contexts, to practice polygamy. Moreover, customary restrictions have often allowed only sons to perform the last rites of their parents, excluding daughters from this significant responsibility. <\/span><\/p>\n Overall, Hindu society has often been characterized as male dominated, with women expected to remain submissive while men assume positions of authority and control.<\/span><\/p>\n .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n