THE HOLY BOOK.

 The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. The document lays down the framework that demarcates fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. The Constitution of India guarantees equal status to all citizens of India including women under article 14 and does not distinguish or discriminate between a man or a woman. Moreover, article 15 empowers the government to make special provisions for women. Women are free to participate in all religious, cultural, economic, and political activities. Furthermore, they have been entitled to vote and are provided with other special benefits. The constitution protects women against exploitation and ensures that they are been given equal rights and opportunities being in any field. Legislation safeguarding women’s interests.

• The Hindu Marriage Act 1955 - The act provides women with equal rights to divorce and remarry. Also, the act prohibits polygamy, polyandry and child marriage.

• The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 - The act provides women with the right and claim over parent's property.

• The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 - It provides a childless woman with the right to adopt a child and a divorced woman with the right to claim maintenance from her husband.

• Special Marriage Act, 1954- It provides women with the rights to inter-caste marriage, love marriage and is only permitted for the girls above 18 years.

• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 - It protects women from exploitation by declaring taking of dowry an unlawful activity.

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1993- the social and economic conditions of women could not be improved without granting them political power.

It can be concluded from the above discussion that women’s status in Indian society has radically changed since Independence. Government after realising the situations of women and their worse position in the society took huge initiatives to bring about a change and improve the social, economic and political conditions of women. It cannot be said that the measures taken have been completely implemented in the society as still customs and traditions are given much more importance in a country like India, still, a gradual change has been experienced by the women over these years and they have become much more independent and aware in today’s time.

        In the pre-independence period, the status of women within the country was in a deprived state. The major cause of this was, male dominance was prevalent. Due to this, the position of women was undermined. The major responsibilities of the women were dedicated towards the implementation of household responsibilities and they were not allowed to participate in the implementation of other tasks and activities, nor were they allowed to express their ideas and viewpoints. Also, they were overwhelmed by the practices of polygamy, sati, child marriage, and female infanticide.

 In the reference of Epic Hindu Literature: Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. For most of human history, the woman’s body has been treated as man’s property, in reality as well as representation. So, adultery (where the woman participates) and rape (where the woman does not participate) were both seen as an insult to a man’s Honor. “In the story of Parashuram, his mother Renuka experiences a momentary desire for another man. For this crime of ‘thought,’ her own son beheads her on the orders of her husband, Jamadagni. She eventually comes to be associated with the goddess Yellamma, who is associated with prostitution. “In the story of Ram, Sita’s abduction by Ravan so taints her reputation and makes her the subject of such gossip, that Ram eventually abandons her. “In neither story is the woman actually assaulted. It does not matter. The idea of being violated is terrible enough. The idea that what is yours has claimed another in ‘thought’ (Renuka’s story) or has been claimed by another in ‘thought’ (Sita’s story) is enough to deflate Honor. “When we want to put Hinduism on the defensive and want to establish Indian traditions as patriarchal, these are the stories we tell. We do not tell stories from the very same scriptures that say something altogether different. “We do not tell the story of Ahalya, a certified adulteress in some versions, a rape victim in others, turned to stone by her angry husband, who is cleansed and liberated by the touch of Ram’s feet. This is the same Ram who abandons Sita. “Why is the patriarchal Ram cleansing the adulteress? No explanation offered! “Why is the patriarchal Ram not remarrying after abandoning tainted Sita? No explanation offered! “Why are plots that reinforce patriarchy given more attention than tales of grace and forgiveness (liberating Ahalya) and tales of commitment (refusal to remarry)? “We do not tell the Upanishadic story of a boy who goes to Gautama for education and is asked “Who is your father?” to which the boy replies, “My mother told me to tell you that she is a servant and has served many men in every way. So, she does not know who my father is. Please accept me as Jabali, whose mother is Jabala.” For this honest answer, the boy is named Satyakaam, lover of truth, and made a student. “We do not tell the Mahabharata story of Shvetaketu who is horrified to find his mother with another man. When he complains to his father, Uddalaka, the father says, “A woman is free to do as she pleases.” When the son questions his paternity, Uddalaka says, “It is not my seed that makes you my child, it is my love.” “Yes, there are stories where a woman’s body is treated as property. But there are also stories where a woman’s body is not treated as property, where women are seen as sovereign of their own lives. Why are the latter stories not told in schools and colleges and by secular, Left-wing, and Right-wing intellectuals?

   I conclude that Constitution is a set of principles or precedents by which a state is governed. It is a set of rules and regulations which places the government's power in the hands of the citizens in a democratic setup. It is important as it protects individual freedom, and its fundamental principles that govern a country. Our constitution given more respect than our puranas

              Whenever you think about disrespecting a woman, think about how you were born into this world

                                                           ~Hitheish Arjun