Dear Rehana Khan, there is a strong grip of clergy on the followers of Semitic religions (Christianity, Islam & Jew). They can force the members of their community into submission at the threat of social boycott (and even denying permission to bury the dead). In hinduism, we don't have to worry about such things as no body can issue an edict (fatwa) nor are we bound by something written in a book hundreds of years ago. We also have the freedom to believe in any god/gods or not to believe also.
