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European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/4293 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
EJSICE content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License   

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Assessment of Women 
Empowerment of Hindu Religion: 
Case of Rural Bangladesh 
Kamrun Nahar1, Afrina Khan2, Sajedul Islam Khan3, Aditi Chakrovorty4, Arifin 
Sultana5* 

1Department of Sociology, National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh 
2Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh  
3Department of Sociology, Bangladesh University, Dhaka, Bangladesh 
4The East Asia Study Center, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh 
5*Department of Psychology, National University, Gazipur, Bangladesh 
 
*Corresponding author e-mail: sultana.psychology@yahoo.com  
 
Received: 27/02/2020 
Revised: 07/07/2020 
Accepted for publication: 07/07/2020 
Published: 20/07/2020 

Abstract 

Women empowerment and equality are the concerning issue all over the world. The aim of this paper is to identify the real 
condition of Hindu women in society according to their religion. Qualitative approach focusing case study has been conducted 
in Koil village under Bogura district of Bangladesh. An attempt has been made in this study to highlight on the nature of Hindu 
women’s rights to inheritance. Hindu women face various difficulties in their way of life since traditional values are deeply 
rooted in their life. This study reveals that Hindu women are deprived from their rights due to traditional social culture, 
ignorance, unawareness, and unemployment. Government should consider this issue with the view that they are a significant 
part of population; hence a duty of care and essential obligation must be there. 

 

Keywords: constitutional right, women empowerment, poverty, inequality, inheritance 

 

1. Introduction 

Hindu women’s life is bounded by their religious norms and traditional systems. Most of the respondents knew 
about the inheritance rights but they cannot and do not claim for it. They are depended on their family and especially husband 
(Jinnah, 2013). Hindu women in Koil village go through their general understanding of inheritance system. In spite of having 
some knowledge of rights, they do not claim (Agarwal, 2009). They think that their present situation is pleasant enough to 
lead their life that’s why rarely they raise their voice against any injustices done to them (Zahur, 2016). They are peace loving 
women and they want to be so without conflicting with the traditional rules (Sarker & Jie, 2017). Whatever happens to them, 
they consider it natural. Dowry given to daughters during marriage is considered their custom and it has become natural to 
them. They cannot think of their daughter’s marriage without dowry. Their perception of traditional inheritance system has 



   
 

European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/4293 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
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deep roots to their socialization process (Sarker, 2019c). They consider their traditional inheritance system as customary laws 
and it cannot be denied or changed so easily (Sarker & Sultana, 2017). 

It was found that there is middle class value among the respondents and they know about the inheritance system but 
do not implement the rights (Sarker, Bingxin, Sultana, & Prodhan, 2017). Middle class family gives emphasize on cultural 
norms and Hindu women in Koil village do it as well (Dejaeghere & Lee, 2011). They are concerned about their traditional 
rules and they think constitutional rights should be applied but none is concerned enough to take initiatives. Patriarchal 
structure is dominant in Hindu society and patriarchal domination keeps Hindu women silent and they do not claim for their 
equal rights (Sarker, 2016). If they do, they think they can hardly achieve their rights. Moni and Sumaiya (2013) argues that 
Hindu women face more discrimination than men because of three unequal treatments: as member of a patriarchal society, as 
member of a patriarchal family and as a member of a patriarchal nationality (Sarker, Ali, & Islam, 2015). They also state that 
besides constitutional denial, minority women are also deprived of beneficial personal laws. Hindu women do not get any 
right from their customary law; rather they suffer from discrimination (Adams, 2015). 

Women had no right in ancestral property and married women had no right in father’s property or on dwelling home. 
In case of property rights of women, laws were biased towards men. There was no equal treatment or equal distribution of 
property to females. They were just mere survivors. Bangladesh has always been a male dominant country where rights of 
women have been neglected. Along with these lines, Hindu women in Koil village do not claim for their rights to inheritance 
for several reasons. Therefore, this study is intended to identify the empowerment of Hindu women. 

 
 

2. Methodology 
2.1 Research design 

Qualitative method has been adopted for exploring in-depth discussion about the topic. We used qualitative 
methodology because we want to interpret the topic in- depth. Moreover, we wanted to see the social condition from 
respondent’s perspectives. 
 
2.2 Data collection 

Our study site is a village named Koil in Bogra district in Bangladesh. To conduct my research, we need details 
information about my topic. We think I will get details information easily since all of my participants were villagers of my 
own area and they will help me a lot. The study population of my research is married women of Koil village in Bogra district. 
It is not possible for me to collect information from the entire married female of Koil village. That’s why sampling is 
inevitable. We used convenience sampling under non- probability sampling to get details information about my topic. The 
sample size was 16. To collect the data we used mobile recorder, paper and pen. Semi structured interview schedule was 
followed to collect data. Data collection is an important part of research. Since this research is based on qualitative method, 
interview method was selected for data collection. Within interview method, semi-structured interview was applied for data 
collection. Along with interview, direct observation was also applied. 
 
2.3 Data processing and analysis 

We collected information in Bengali language for the convenience of my respondents. We recorded the data on my 
mobile and for my academic purposes, we transcribed those data. Then we translated them in English language. We read 
these translations again and again and tried to make summary of the writings. Then data has been analyzed according to 
objectives. 
 
2.4 Afraid of breaking relationship   

Women want to own land but they do not want to inherit it because women who state that they do not wish to inherit 
land are primarily afraid of straining relationships with their families or being rejected by their communities. In the absence 
of a will, when the Hindu Succession Amendment Act is applicable, women are generally forced to give up their share in 
favor of their brothers for various reasons (Sarker, Wu, & Hossin, 2019). One of the main reasons is the fear of breaking 
familial bonds. Mahmud  et al. (2012) states that women often have to forgo their claims with regard to agricultural land to 
ensure the support of their natal family in case they encounter marital problems or their marriages breakup, even though such 
support may not actually materialize.  



   
 

European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/4293 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
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68 

Kalpana Karmakar (25) argued that “if they claim for their rights, their brothers misbehave with them and do not 
want to give them any share.”   
 
 
 
2.5 Dowry  

Hindu women do not claim for their property rights since they are given with bequest during their marriage. In many 
cases, parents sell their daughter’s share of property to provide marital cost. That’s why women do not claim for their rights. 
Singh K, (2012) reported that there exists the customary and traditional belief that after marriage a girl belongs to her 
husband’s family and not to her natal family (Nasrin, Sarker, & Huda, 2019).   

Namita karmakar (35) argued that “Hindu groom’s family owns 8 -9 lakh TK. during marriage and bride’s family 
provides it that’s why I want to distribute property in accordance with traditional system. In many cases bride’s family spend 
2 bigha lands for daughter’s marriage and in such case, it is valueless to demand for further property rights. If my daughter 
gets married without such bequest or dowry then I could think of giving her a share of property.” She further told that since 
daughters are provided with bequest, boys should have more share of property and hence she does not accept equal rights for 
property. 
 
2.6 Traditional systems  

Hindu women do not claim for their equal rights since traditional system is deeply rooted in their society. It is not 
their tradition to claim for paternal property. Srimati Dulali karmakar (25) told that “Hindu women do not claim for their 
equal rights because of traditional system which is going on.” 

Conversely, there are also some situations in which Hindu women claim for their rights. These are extreme cases in 
which Hindu women cannot but claim for their rights (Sarker, 2019b). In most of the cases, poverty forces Hindu women to 
claim for their rights (Patel, 2006). In case of abandonment of wife by their husband, Hindu women claim for their rights to 
inheritance. In this way, they want to secure their position in society and find a way of earning. Sonali Karmakar (26) wished 
to claim for her rights to inheritance because she is left in her father’s house and had to earn by her own to lead her life 
(Sarker et al., 2019). Namita Karmakar (35) told that many women claim for their equal rights if their economic condition of 
in law’s house is miserable. In this case, poverty is the main reason for claiming equal rights to inheritance rather than 
awareness.  

Sonali Karmakar (26) faces problems since she is bound to live in her father’s house after marriage. She told that “if 
husband is addicted to drugs and do not work for family; Hindu women cannot do anything to survive and claim for their 
rights to inheritance.” In case of husband’s disability, Hindu women search for income and they think if they could have 
property from father, their life would have been different. In such cases, Hindu women claim for their rights. Rupali 
Karmakar (28) described her situation this way “Hindu women do not claim for their equal rights because of traditional 
system which is going on and if father had little property and husband is unable to work, Hindu women face severe problems. 
They cannot do anything to develop their condition.” 

From these discussions, it is found that, Hindu women generally do not claim for their rights to inheritance because 
of traditional systems and even if they do, it is because of poverty or any other cause rather than their awareness about legal 
rights to inheritance (Sarker, Rahman, Cao, & Xu, 2019).  
 
 
3. Problems faced by Hindu women for inheritance rights   

Most of the Hindu women interviewed reported that they did not face any problems for rights to inheritance since 
they conformed to traditional system of inheritance. Although the traditional system of inheritance is itself a problem in 
present time, most of the respondent cannot recognize the situation (Sarker, Islam, Ali, et al., 2019). Due to lack of 
knowledge, Hindu women do not understand their problems rather they stick to old traditional system of inheritance. The 
ownership of property reduces women’s vulnerability to and enhances their ability to deal with the domestic violence 
(Guhathakurta, 2012).  

In Sri Lanka, the study highlights notions of patriarchy and social norms that operate in the context of the Sri Lankan 
society, making women passive subjects to the violence inflicted on them. Lack of political will of the state government is 
clearly visible as there is hardly any pro-active effort on their part to enforce women’s right to inheritance and succession 



   
 

European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/4293 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
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69 

(Khan, Sarker, Huda, Nurullah, & Zaman, 2018). In contrast, what is striking is that women universally expressed the desire 
to own land, implying that they fully recognize the value of land and property for their wellbeing. Their lack of action to 
claim is partly due to their ignorance of law, but more importantly perhaps out of their belief in the same patriarchal practices 
and lack of social support system that is needed in order to help them come forward (Rahman et al., 2018). Barriers that 
women face in inheriting land and property are: gender discriminatory practices such as dowry being considered a ‘one time 
settlement’ to women; insufficient knowledge of the Hindu Succession Act and its 2005 amendment; women’s reluctance to 
enforce their land ownership rights; and, lack of proactive implementation of the law by revenue department officers who 
tended to follow the department requirements which were not necessarily in compliance with the provisions of the Hindu 
Succession Amendment Act 2005. 

Lack of assets enhances vulnerability and poverty and those women who do not own any assets are subject to 
violence, threats of violence and allocation inequalities within the household. In contrast, those who owned both land and 
house reported considerably less violence. The study found that one respondent named Sonali Karmakar (26) was bound to 
abandon her husband since he was addicted to drugs. In this case, that Hindu woman has no other source of earning and 
survives by tailor. She leads a miserable life and wished to have rights to inheritance. In another case Sondha Rani Karmakar 
(42), reported that her father had huge number of property and she did not get anything. This woman had to take care for her 
father but could not achieve anything. She also wished for equal rights to inheritance since daughters do care for their parents. 
Kalpana Karmakar (26) also reported of having possibility of misbehave if Hindu women claim for their rights. Since 
traditional systems are deeply rooted in Hindu women’s life, they cannot but face problem.  
 
3.1 Rights of Hindu women and application of rights 

It was found that there is positive co-relation between the educational level and Hindu women’s understanding of the 
rights to inheritance. The study indicates that the higher the educational level, the better the knowledge and understanding of 
inheritance rights. Women aged between25-40 were more likely educated than those of older women. Literate women were 
more likely to be aware of their rights and wanted to distribute property equally (Sarker, Wu, Shouse, & Ma, 2019). Hindu 
women generally do not claim for their rights to inheritance. Most of the respondents recognized their rights to inheritance 
but cannot claim for it. Hindu women have to be pleased with what they were given during their marriage. If Hindu women 
claim for their inheritance rights, they cannot achieve it because of their traditional system of inheritance (Schuler, Lenzi, 
Badal, & Nazneen, 2018). Many women argued that Hindu women do not claim for their rights but they should. Rights to 
inheritance are granted by the constitution but it is not socially approved in Hindu society. As Surochi Karmakar (35) quoted 
that “They have to be pleased with the inheritance system that is going on because if they claim for their rights, they do not 
get anything. They are bound to accept the traditional inheritance system”. Srimati Adori Rani karmakar (26) argued in the 
same manner that “Constitutional rights do not get that much importance in Hindu society and that’s why women cannot 
demand for their rights to inheritance.” Although most of the respondents favor constitutional rights to inheritance, they do so 
because constitution is also undeniable and as government has granted it, they accept it. Srimati Adori Rani Karmakar (26) 
further argued that “constitutional rights to inheritance as granted by government is also important and cannot be denied.” 
This statement also indicates that in many cases, Hindu women are bound to accept constitutional rights although it contrasts 
to their traditional systems.  

In this case, their roots stick to the traditional understanding of inheritance system. Although many women wanted 
to distribute their property equally, it is a debate that how much effective their action will be. Since traditional rules have 
become deeply rooted to Hindu women’s life, Hindu women cannot implement their wishes (Sarker, Wu, Alam, & Islam, 
2019). Men in Hindu family are not concerned about women’s equal rights. Even if they know about constitutional rights, 
they are indifferent to implement the laws since this will decrease their power to own property exclusively (Mahmud et al., 
2012). This indicates the patriarchal social structure that dominates over women’s life. Patriarchal social structure as 
emphasized by radical feminists is also responsible for women’s deprivation of rights to inheritance (Sarker et al., 2020). 
With the increasing importance of education and rising awareness among Hindu women, this situation is changing day by day 
in a very slow motion. 
 
3.2 Application of constitutional rights  

At the heart of Hindu society, there is predominance of traditional rules and customs. Although the constitution of 
Bangladesh grants equal rights to inheritance to every citizen, in Hindu society there is little application of it. Traditional 
system is so deeply rooted in Hindu society that in every aspect of their life, it has profound implication. Most of the 
respondents accepted constitutional rights but there is little application of it in their daily lives. In Hindu society, 



   
 

European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/4293 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
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constitutional rights are not being applied because of traditional rules; what is going on from ancient time is going on till 
today. Women are dominated in our society and in case of Hindu women, this situation is severe (Patel, 2006). Hindu women 
cannot do anything to change their rights.  

As we know from the theory of radical feminism, patriarchal social structure exploit women and in case of Hindu 
women, this is practically applicable. Men household of Hindu family do not realize women’s rights to inheritance rather they 
make maximum use of their paternal property exclusively. From the ancient period women are found to be dependent on their 
male counterpart. Since then they have been deprived of the right to property of their father and husband (Waheed, Sayeed, & 
Mujtaba, 2014). They remain dependent on father during their childhood, on husband in youth and on son in old age. 
Traditional rules are so deeply involved in Hindu society that it is very difficult to apply constitutional laws. As one 
respondent named Srimati Adori Rani Karmakar (26) told that ‘Traditional system is deeply rooted in Hindu society that’s 
why constitutional right is not being applied in their society.’ 
 
3.3 Inheritance situation of Hindu women 

In most of the cases socio-economic background played an important role to the rights of inheritance. Most of the 
Hindu women did not get any share from their parents. Hindu women in Koil village, who were interviewed, know about 
their inheritance rights that are traditionally going on. Although they know about their constitutional rights, they seem to be 
unaware. Traditional system of inheritance gives priority to men possession over property and daughter does not get any 
share of property (Uddin, 2015). There are several reasons for which constitutional inheritance system cannot achieve 
importance. These are: 
 
3.3.1 Domination of traditional system  

Hindu society is based on their religious values. Religious values and norms shape the life of Hindu women in Koil 
village. In Hindu religion, law is considered as a branch of Dharma. Hindu women do not get any right from their customary 
law; rather, they suffer from discrimination.  Traditional system of inheritance gives priority to men possession over property 
and daughter does not get any share of property. Most of the respondents said that in Hindu society, women do not get share 
of paternal property because it has become their tradition (Sultana & Subedi, 2016). Although they acknowledge that women 
should be given their rights, most of the women are pleased with their traditional system. There were found three kinds of 
explanation regarding traditional system of inheritance. These are:  

Even in case that parent own lots of property, women do not get anything because of their traditional culture. Hindus 
considered their law to have come from God. Law as understood by the Hindus is a branch of religion, which is not subject to 
any modification or alteration. Holding such view, they prefer to apply traditional law in all personal matters, which does not 
give much concentration on woman’s right (Mohsin, 2004). Daughters are bound to live their life with their in-law’s house 
and they cannot demand from their father’s property even if father owns lots of property.  Hindu daughters do not have rights 
to inheritance. Kalpana Rani Karmakar (30) told that ‘Hindu women do not get any share of their paternal property even in 
case that their parents have lots of property. They have to be pleased with their father- in law’s property.’ Another respondent 
named Rina Rani Karmakar (30) told that ‘She did not get any property from her parents because there is no tradition of 
distributing property among daughters in their society.’ 

Another explanation for traditional system of inheritance is that if parents do not have son, then daughter gets little 
share of paternal property. As one respondent named Dipali Rani Karmakar (40) told that, ‘Hindu women get little share of 
their paternal property if they do not have brothers. She got little share of paternal property (2 decimal) since she does not 
have brother.’ Another respondent Srimati Dulali Rani Karmakar (26) told that ‘In the Hindu community, if mother owns 
property then daughters get share of it and if father owns property then sons get share of it. She herself did not get any share 
of parental property.’ Being the absolute owner, a woman can dispose of stridhana at her pleasure. But in respect of other 
property she is merely a qualified owner and enjoys a very limited right. Surochi Rani Karmakar (50) described the same 
situation and told that ‘Daughters generally do not get share of their father’s property but if mother owns property, daughters 
can demand on that property to some extent.’ This situation is further described by another respondent named Sonali 
Karmakar (26), ‘If father wishes to distribute property to daughter then they can have property and if mother owns property, 
they can have rights to mother’s property in their society’ 

Another explanation of traditional system of inheritance is that, if parents distribute property among daughters and 
sons intentionally, daughters can have a share of parental property. Even when the women receive land in inheritance, it is 
invariably much less than an equal share. Most Hindus in India and Nepal and Muslims in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are 
governed by patrilineal kinship systems. As social identity is secured from the father, a son is a permanent member of the 



   
 

European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/4293 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
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natal household and a daughter is considered transient. She has moral rights to periodic gifts but largely denied inheritance, 
seen as a dependent of her husband. One respondent named Namita Karmakar (35) argued the situation this way, ‘Daughters 
do not insist on their parents for having share of property. She did not get any share of paternal property till now and there is 
little hope to get but if parents give her a share intentionally then she can have’. Although constitution of Bangladesh grants 
rights to inheritance irrespective of religion and cast, Hindu women do not get their right in Koil village. Kalpana Karmakar 
(30) argued that, “Hindu women do not get rights to own paternal property and even if they have rights, they are not given 
any share of property.”  
 
3.3.2 Prevalence of Dowry 

In the Hindu community, there is prevalence of dowry. Although dowry is prohibited in our country, it is still going 
on in Hindu society. It is deeply rooted in their customs and hence it has become their law. Dowry has become their 
traditional rule that hinders Hindu women’s rights to inheritance. Dowry has important impact on the understanding of Hindu 
women’s rights to inheritance. In the study, it was found that dowry has replaced the rights to inheritance. Hindu parents are 
bound to provide dowry in their daughter’s marriage and groom’s family receive it. In many cases, dowry seems to have 
replaced the present inheritance system. One respondent named Adori Rani Karmakar (25) describes the situation arguing 
that ‘I did not get any share of my paternal property since my parents sold my share of property during marriage to provide 
marital dowry. For this reason, I will not get any share of my paternal property.’ 

Most of the women interviewed reported that since daughters are given marital gifts, it is valueless to demand for 
their property rights. To get married of their daughters seem to be very important to Hindu people. It has become a social 
practice that at the wedding of a daughter the father had to spend a lot of money and huge gifts in the form of ornaments and 
furniture. All such things are presumed to be given her in lieu of property (Sarker, 2019a). To provide daughter with property 
might cause the loss of ancestral property as she goes to other family; such attitude of Hindu society is also responsible for 
exclusion of women from their right to inheritance. One respondent Surochi Karmakar (50) described the situation arguing 
that ‘In accordance to their religion, daughters mostly get their paternal resources during marriage and after giving birth to 1st 
child. Parents fulfill their duty during these periods and daughters generally do not get share of their father’s property but if 
mother owns property, daughters can demand on that property to some extent’  

It was found that Hindu groom’s family owns 8 - 9 lakh TK. during marriage and bride’s family provides it that’s 
why Hindu women wanted to distribute property in accordance with traditional system. In many cases bride’s family spend 2 
bigha lands for daughter’s marriage and in such cases, it is valueless to demand for further property rights. Namita Karmakar 
(35) described the situation arguing that ‘if my daughter gets married without such bequest or dowry then I could think of 
giving her a share of property’. Another respondent Ashalata Karmakar (50) described the same situation this way ‘Hindu 
women’s parents get their girls married and it is the most important duty to be done to their daughters. I did not get any share 
of property from my parents. She told in the same manner what her parents did to her that “my property would be distributed 
between my sons and daughters would not get any share.”  
 
3.3.3 Development of inheritance system 

Most of the respondents accepted and supported Hindu women’s rights to inheritance as granted by the constitution 
of Bangladesh. Many women could not tell about how to develop inheritance rights because of their lack of education and 
knowledge about rights. Few women, who were educated and had knowledge about the constitutional rights, could tell about 
the development of inheritance rights (White, 2009). All of them asked about the development of inheritance rights told that 
they will distribute their property equally between their son and daughter to develop the inheritance rights. This reflects the 
idea that nowadays Hindu women are being aware of their rights and they are being influenced by constitutional rights. To 
develop inheritance rights, awareness must be raised among Hindu women. Kalpana Karmakar (30) told in the same manner 
that, ‘Constitutional rights are not socially recognized in their society’. She further told that “Government cannot do anything 
unless parents themselves acknowledge equal rights”. From above these findings it is clear that radical feminism, liberal 
theory and structural Marxism are relevant in this study. These theories have profound implications in this study. Traditional 
systems along with patriarchal social structures are largely responsible for women’s deprivation. As being the minority, 
Hindu women lack voices to establish their rights in society (Sourav, 2015). In order for their rights to be established, social 
recognition is inevitable. The whole social structure has to realize Hindu women’s rights to inheritance. 
 
 



   
 

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72 

4. Conclusion 
In this century when women in the world are enjoying all sorts of civil and political rights and economic, social and 

cultural rights the states are adopting laws to remove gender discrimination and inequality, a Hindu woman must be provided 
with the exclusive right to inheritance. No civilization can prosper without ensuring the rights of women. Most of the 
problems that are associated with Hindu women’s rights to inheritance are rooted in their traditional system and religious 
values. If enough steps are taken to aware Hindu women about their rights to inheritance, they can enjoy their rights. The 
women belonging to other religion like the Muslim enjoy their property exclusively, though the share in inheritance is less 
than their male counterpart. The national development of the country cannot be achieved leaving a large number of people, 
like Hindu women behind.  In order to ensure their active participation in every aspect of national life, the Hindu women 
should be given exclusive right to property, which will ensure development and social security. It should be realized by the 
mass people in Bangladesh that without having any property right a Hindu woman has no room in the society. Government 
should consider this issue with the view that they are a significant part of population; hence a duty of care and essential 
obligation must be there. 
 
 

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