Hindu Personal Laws in Bangladesh: Challenges and Prospects of Women’s Rights

Inequality for women in Bangladesh is more of a social issue than a legal one. Inequalities in the application of the law, with the exception of private concerns, are hardly ever observed. Religious rules or conventions, however, govern personal concerns. Since Hindu Law is the most ancient Law in the world, it deviates, changes or modifies immensely. Different schools are explained it in a different way except with basic instruments. It modifies through the commentaries and customs. Although these norms or traditions are classified separately under the heading of “Personal Law” in Bangladesh's legal system, they are not, in their totality, drawn from religious laws or customs. Laws and ordinances altered their application. These, however, have not been sufficient to create equality between men and women. Gender norms hinder compliance with present laws. For easy understanding of the common people the concerned authority should codify new rules and regulations with proper reference with Shastra Law and keep in mind with International Obligations. This paper examines some notable legal constraints on the way to ensure the fruitful implementation of Women’s Rights and offers some observations on assuring justice for all the Hindu Women in Bangladesh.