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The caste system was officially outlawed by India's Constitution of 1947 - but that doesn't mean it's disappeared. The red dot on this woman's forehead signifies she's married. If her husband were to die, she would not have to be cremated along with his body (as was the custom for centuries) but she would not be allowed to marry again. This is not true for men - they can remarry. Are there any organized religions that treat women justly and equally? None that I know of. By the way, the iron she is using is indeed made of iron - and it's filled with hot embers. |