Women's Status in Hinduism: Life as a Widow

Looking at Hindusim with a Critical Eye

The trouble with Islam, whole world is out to prove it. Trouble with Christianity, some liberals are trying to prove it. But the troubles with Hinduism have largely been on the sidelined. Once is a while someone comes up with a book portraying the faith as religion of “kamastura” or the “bride-burning” religion, sparking debate for sometime then everything dies out. The real debate on reform has not been had since Swami Vivekananada. Not counting the spectacle sparked by the Shiv Sena( a Hindu extremist group, based in India) or the Bharatiya Janata Party’s(political party in India, works on Hindu agenda) views on Muslims in India.

Twelve years ago my grandfather passed away. My grandmother, a widow, became an outcast overnight. You see according to Hindu customs, being a widow is seen a sign of sins committed in past life. She was excluded from any major religious event; the family did not want the ill-omen brought by a widow. She had to give up wearing red, non-vegetarian food and yes respect of her family members. My mother, a feminist never said a word against this, nor did my uncles and my aunts. They did not want to “rock the boat”. Keeping quite and following the customs insured there place in society as honorable.

Status of women in a Hindu society is directly dependent on her husband, son or father. If you lose any of them or don’t have any one of them, you are doomed. Remaining single is seen as a sign that something is wrong with your character so no one wants you. Having children outside marriage is sure way to get ostracized by the society.

Widowhood is at the bottom of food chain. They get the worst kind of treatment.