The term “Hindu” is derived from the Greek Word “Indoi” the term Hindu it is difficult to define the Hindu religion. Sec 2 of HMA 1955 states that this act applies to any person who is a Hindu by birth or who has changed his/her religion to either any of its forms such as Virashaiva, a Lingayat or a follower of the Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya Samaj. Any person who is a Buddhist, Jain, or Sikh also comes under this act. It also applies to any person living outside this territory except who is a Muslim, Christan, Parsi, or Jew by religion or it is proved that such person is being governed by Hindu law. It is believed that it is the strongest bond between husband and wife. It is an unbreakable bond that remains even after death. The importance of marriage is not to the extent of one generation but it is an in-depth belief of Hinduism. Without a wife, a person is considered incomplete while performing any rites of Hinduism. It is very important to perform all the rites with the wife. 

Hindu by Religion

The Medieval period of Hinduism lasted from 500 to 1500 AD. Hinduism is the oldest religion which contains a wide range of tradition and culture which are followed by all the Hindus across the globe. Any person who is a Hindu by religion or born in Hindu family with Hindu father or mother in any of its forms such as Virashaiva, a Lingayat or a follower of the Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya Samaj or any person who is a Buddhist, Jain, or Sikh is also a Hindu by religion. Thus, any person except a follower of Muslim, Christan, Parsi, or Jew religion is a Hindu.

Hindu by Birth

Any person born in a Hindu family or has a Hindu father or mother such a person is considered as Hindu by birth. Any person born in any community apart from Muslim, Christian, Jews is also a Hindu. Any child, legitimate or illegitimate if either of his parents is Hindu, if he is brought up by the parent who is hindu shall be considered as Hindu by birth.

Convert or re-convert:

a person will be a indu by conversion or re- conversion if any one of the following modes are adopted:

1. if a person undergoes a formal ceremony prescribed by the religion, caste, community or sect which he wants to enter. Held in Kusum Vs. Satya ILR (1930) 30 cal 99.
2. If a person expresses a bona fide intention to become a Hindu accompanied by a conduct unequivocally expressing that intention coupled with the acceptance of his as its member by the community or caste into the fold of which he has entered peerumal Vs Poonuswami, AIR 1971 SC 2352.
3. If a person bona fide declares that he has accepted Hinduism as his faith and he has been following Hinduism for sometime, he becomes a Hindu held in Mohandas Vs. Devansam Board 1975 KLT 55.

Rajkumar Vs. Barbara AIR 1989 Cal.165. the child was born of indu father and a Christian mother. It was not shown that the child ws brought up as a hindu.in this case court held that this child was Hindu.

Conclusion

In India, unless a person converts to another religion, he continues to belong to his community of religions, has also to belong to his community of origin or birth, whatever he may do with his religion.