r/ExHinduIndia

These punishments are deeply problematic and unacceptable. They reflect a strongly hierarchical society where women’s autonomy was heavily restricted, domestic violence could be legally justified, and women were subjected to harsh consequences while male behaviour was not always punished with equivalent severity for comparable conduct. The caste system made this inequality even sharper, because punishment could depend on whether the offender was male or female and which caste they belonged to.

These are not merely descriptions of ancient customs. This is danda niti, law and punishment.

Women are treated as subjects of male authority rather than autonomous equals, and sexual morality is not applied consistently to both sexes. The Matsya Purana, Chapter 227.

The place were children are expected to develop scientific temperament is taking kids to participate in religious activities.

There is nothing wrong in teaching children about mythology or about religion. But educate them first, teach them to question and think critically, and let them choose whether to participate in religious practices when they're old enough to make that choice themselves.

Yes, these are just the worst ones, the list goes longer.

[Looks like I accidentally omitted it while pasting, but "He" referred to Shiva in the last verse. And the verse goes on to describe the event vividly including stating that he ejaculates in her. ]

the hindu

ntv

telangana today

A temple priest named sayanna allegedly sexually assaulted a minor inside the temple in the ramachandrapuram police station limits of cyberabad. The temple in ramachandrapuram had been locked from the outside, but the locals noticed the priest behaving sexually inappropriately with the girl inside. They opened the temple, caught him, and handed him over to the police. Police registered a case and began investigating. Locals also told police that other anti social/ illegal activities were taking place on the temple premises.

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Canto 10, Chapter 22 of Bhagvata Purana:

Krsnā steals clothes of bathing women (Gopi Vastraharan)

Rāsa-līlā: Krishna dances with the gopis, including married women, and has romantic/erotic associations with them.

Rāsa-līlā: Śrīmad Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Canto 10, Chapters 29–33 — the Rāsa dance and Krishna’s romantic interactions with the gopīs. [Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Canto 10, Ch. 29–33]

In the text, it is described as "leela" (divine play). But Krsnā was consciously aware of him being Vishnu. Basically it was Vishnu who did that while being fully aware. Which is quite disgusting.

In 1889, a ten-year-old girl died after her husband forced sex on her on their wedding night. The law did not classify it as rape. Her name was Phulmoni Dasi, and her death exposed a direct conflict between colonial law, social custom, and the rights of children.

#The Tragedy

Phulmoni Dasi, a ten-year-old Hindu girl, was married to Hari Mohan Maity, a man in his mid-thirties. On their wedding night, he attempted to consummate the marriage. She suffered severe internal injuries and heavy bleeding, and died thirteen hours later despite treatment.

The post-mortem found a deep internal tear, severe internal bleeding, and a reproductive system that showed no signs of puberty.

#Failure of Law

Under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, sex between a husband and wife was not legally rape as long as the wife was at least ten years old. The law prioritized a husband's marital rights over a child's bodily autonomy.

Hari Mohan was not convicted of rape. He was sentenced to twelve months of hard labour for causing grievous hurt.

#Public Response

The verdict drew strong criticism from newspapers, doctors, lawyers, and social reformers, who argued the law should have recognized the act as rape. Conservative opponents countered that raising the age of consent would interfere with Hindu religious custom.

Phulmoni Dasi's death, combined with Behramji Malabari's reform campaign and public debate over the Rukhmabai case, led to the Age of Consent Act of 1891, which raised the age of consent from ten to twelve. The change was modest, but it was the first legal recognition that children needed statutory protection.

#Legacy

Phulmoni Dasi did not receive justice, but her case became a direct catalyst for legal reform, and it remains a clear example of a legal system prioritizing marital rights over a child's safety.