All temples are bound by custom and tradition, and thus it is with Sabarimala where women between the ages of 10 and 50 are barred…. The reason Sabarimala bars women of that age is it’s the rough age of menstruation, and since the deity, Swami Ayyappa, is a bachelor, the practice keeps fertile women out of his vision….
Among all such dogma that abounds in this country, the worst is denying women equality – be it worship at temples, right over property, or something as common as keeping them away as impure during menstruation. I would think if there is a god and that god sanctioned the denial of equality to women, that god must be the most ungodly entity.
Sai feels that such practices are a denigration of India’s true heritage. [ See the comment thread, which has some really idiotic arguments].
Neha validly argues that if the temple is receiving state funding, then its discriminatory practices are unconstitutional.
Comments
5 comments. Leave your comment »
confused
Jun 29th, 2006 at 7:58 pm | #
Ash,
Seems I am missing something. Where is the comment section in the first link? As far as I can see the comments are closed there. Could you please give a direct link?
cheers
Ash
Jun 29th, 2006 at 11:20 pm | #
Hi Confused,
I can almost picture you gleefully rubbing your hands all set to join the fray
Its a RediffBlog and I’m able to see the comments … I don’t know why you’re not able to view it.
Jaffna
Jun 30th, 2006 at 1:37 am | #
Sabaramalai does not receive Government funds. But the state administers its endowment as a trustee.
Regardless, Sabarimalai should open its doors to women. Women should also have the right to participate in the public prayer at the mosque or for that matter to lead the prayer if need be. And women should have the right to become priests in the Roman Catholic church.
The right to polygamy under the garb of personal law should be abolished unless it be accompanied with the right to polyandry.
Sexism in religion, regardless of whether the religion be the majority or a minority, has to stop.
Best regards
Ambar
Jun 30th, 2006 at 5:07 am | #
Confused, the comments open in a popup when you click on the comment link. Maybe something to do with your popup blocker?
confused
Jun 30th, 2006 at 5:46 am | #
Hi Ash,
Preposterous! This Patrix boy has ben spreading canards about me…:)
Thanks. Got it now.
Ambar,
Thanks. Got it. I guess not for nothing I am confused!