Bare Act

The Bombay Devadasis Protection Act, 1934

The Bombay Devadasis Protection Act, 1934, was enacted to abolish the practice of dedicating women as *devadasis* to Hindu temples. It declares any ceremony or act of dedication unlawful, regardless of whether the woman consented. The Act protects the rights of these women by explicitly validating their marriages and ensuring their children are considered legitimate, overriding any conflicting customs. Furthermore, it addresses the economic aspect by allowing the conversion of land previously assigned for *devadasi* services into rent-paying land. This legislation was a significant step in social reform, aiming to end the exploitation of women under the guise of religious custom.

PDF: pending for this language.