Source: Khabar south Asia.
By K. R. Chowdhury for Khabar South Asia in Dhaka
Torulata Rani, 24, is having a tough time raising her six-year-old son by herself in Dokshin Chowra village in northern Nilphamari district, 350km from Dhaka. Her husband Sreepodo deserted the young family six years ago.
Torulata Rani takes a computer lesson at the Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) centre in northern Nilphamari district. Without a marriage registration, she cannot seek divorce or obtain compensation from her estranged husband. A new law adopted on September 18th could ease the suffering of Hindu women in her situation. [Photo courtesy of RDRS]
The reason, according to Rani, was that her mother was unable to meet a demand for increased dowry. In 2006, he husband married another woman.
Because she is a Hindu, there is not much the state can do for Rani. The minority Hindu community in Bangladesh follows the centuries-old Dayabhaga Law. According to that code, Rani does not have the right to divorce Sreepodo until he dies.
Categories: Asia, Bangladesh, Hinduism, Interfaith tolerance, Religion, Rights of Women