The ongoing >debate on the woman’s right to reach the sanctum sanctorum of certain temples is but sheer stupidity and a waste of time. This is certain to be followed by aspects of menstruation, and debates, declamations, doctors’ views and random comments. Nobody gives any thought to how some may feel uncomfortable reading all this even in national newspapers — especially the pre-adolescent, adolescent and older girl children. It’s an unproductive exercise. “Everybody knows”, is the usual excuse. If the >Supreme Court permits , then let them go and visit all the temples. The temple managements will then have no choice in the matter.
How such taboos came about, nobody knows. But it was definitely meant to help women. Everybody knows many of our women put double, sometimes triple duty daily. It was so especially in the past. And this was particularly true in the case of those who toiled both in the fields and at home. And most of the time there were toddlers around to look after, in a large joint family. There were no modern gadgets or inventions to help them around the house.
Compulsory rest?
I personally know of how a girl lost her life to typhoid following her effort to ensure that she could enter her house after her monthly periods, by taking the customary bath in the river. Thousands of such incidents happened because no one was prepared to give any rest to the poor girls. To enforce compulsory rest for women during such times, this was one method.
Nobody would have given a thought unless forced by religion. So, as ‘usual’ a religious angle was given, from which a thousand superstitions sprang up. But such defences have to end there. We really don’t know what happened in ancient times. They had developed many rituals, yagnas , pujas and so on with corresponding Vedic sanctions. Some yagnas are conducted even today with faith and fervour. We believe in half of our sastras when it suits us. The rest is condemned as being discrimimatory.
The pundits in many of our temples are well-versed in their duties and maybe they are right in what they say. Why quarrel? Do we know how many types of rituals and beliefs are held in other religious contexts and countries? And of course in every religion women are discriminated. Perhaps that was the trend in those days, so it is difficult to change the mindset overnight.
A strange world Also, is it not our duty to respect our ancient rituals and wisdom? For example, their knowledge of astronomy is mind-boggling. Maybe there is something scientific in what is observed. We believe if something is said in the television serial 'Aliens' but not in our own beliefs! What a strange world it is. Anyhow, instead of sitting in dharnas and disturbing everyone, let the issue of women’s equality take some rest and let the people concerned attend to their work.
In course of time all real issues will get sorted out. In south India no one, neither men nor women, can enter the sanctum sanctorum of a temple. Only the priest has that right. And on this there is no quarrel; it is an age-old practice. Why should we become fussy in everything and read between the lines and search for discrimination? Let us learn to respect others’ views and not disturb the nation.
mmurthy@gmail.com
