http://www.ibnlive.com/news/sabarimala-shuts-doors-on-women/15748-3.html
After reading the article (above link) and also watching the news item, my first reaction was outrage. How irresponsible is the media becoming these days. I think there should be a line upto which they can blow up issues. It is supposed to be the age of true reporting and giving people the real picture. The above mentioned article doesn't look like it at all.
In recent past few weeks or even a month I am not sure, there is been hue and cry about women not being allowed into the Sabarimala shrine. First of all before I go any further with this, let me tell you all, being a woman I have always voiced my opinion on oppression against women and women's rights. I have also clarified many a times to a lot of people that I am not a feminist and I don't just argue for the heck of it. Read on and those of you who branded me feminist will know what I am talking about.
The media channels have been crying that women are terribly upset about their entry being barred into the temple. This rule has been in existence for a very long time. Before joining the band wasgon and jumping into conclusions shouldn't these media people stop for a minute and analyze the issue on hand. Why was this rule in practice in the first place. What are the norms and customs that ought to be followed by any devotee before he/ she climbs the hill and takes the Lord's darshan. There is a 40 day fasting period that has to be observed strictly. It is called a mandlam. I know some of you might say a lot of people don't follow these rules strictly and people just take their fasting just a day before the irumudi (irumudi - is the ritual done before the devotees leave for the shrine. They carry a packet with all the basic provisions and the offerings for the Lord and tie it with a cloth and carry it on their heads. ) Just because people have found out ways of bending the rules and breaking them doesn't mean these rules don't exist.
Now, coming back to fasting bit. Those 40 days devotee vows total celibacy and also total detachment from the material world. It is strictly spiritual. These men do not even get in contact with the women in their own households except for their mothers or grandmothers. How strictly these rules are followed as I mentioned earlier is questionable and I am not getting into that debate. Having watched a devotee at home from very close quarters for five years, I can definitely say that I understand the rules which was strictly followed.
Coming to question of why this ban on women. First of all, it is not a blanket ban on women completely. It is a ban on women in the age group 10-55. Due to the certain physical and biological reasons the temple customs demands that women between this age group not visit the temple. It is because these women will not be able to follow the rules completely for those 40 days. This rule does not discriminate women completely . They are allowed to take the lord's darshan after menopause or women who have undergone hysterectomy can also make a trip to the temple. Also the ban the is only for carrying the irumudi and climbing the holy 18 steps. They are nevertheless allowed to take a general darshan at other times.
So, why the hue and cry? Because some actresses who thought this issue was fit to bring them back to limelight that they never had or lost over a period of time. The credibility of their statements can never be verified.
I believe it is time that we questioned irresponsible media attitude and protested against these very same media channels which encourage protests for every issue. At a time and age where there are more pressing issues which need the media attention for a growing democracy like India, we can certainly do without these stories taking religious tone.
After reading the article (above link) and also watching the news item, my first reaction was outrage. How irresponsible is the media becoming these days. I think there should be a line upto which they can blow up issues. It is supposed to be the age of true reporting and giving people the real picture. The above mentioned article doesn't look like it at all.
In recent past few weeks or even a month I am not sure, there is been hue and cry about women not being allowed into the Sabarimala shrine. First of all before I go any further with this, let me tell you all, being a woman I have always voiced my opinion on oppression against women and women's rights. I have also clarified many a times to a lot of people that I am not a feminist and I don't just argue for the heck of it. Read on and those of you who branded me feminist will know what I am talking about.
The media channels have been crying that women are terribly upset about their entry being barred into the temple. This rule has been in existence for a very long time. Before joining the band wasgon and jumping into conclusions shouldn't these media people stop for a minute and analyze the issue on hand. Why was this rule in practice in the first place. What are the norms and customs that ought to be followed by any devotee before he/ she climbs the hill and takes the Lord's darshan. There is a 40 day fasting period that has to be observed strictly. It is called a mandlam. I know some of you might say a lot of people don't follow these rules strictly and people just take their fasting just a day before the irumudi (irumudi - is the ritual done before the devotees leave for the shrine. They carry a packet with all the basic provisions and the offerings for the Lord and tie it with a cloth and carry it on their heads. ) Just because people have found out ways of bending the rules and breaking them doesn't mean these rules don't exist.
Now, coming back to fasting bit. Those 40 days devotee vows total celibacy and also total detachment from the material world. It is strictly spiritual. These men do not even get in contact with the women in their own households except for their mothers or grandmothers. How strictly these rules are followed as I mentioned earlier is questionable and I am not getting into that debate. Having watched a devotee at home from very close quarters for five years, I can definitely say that I understand the rules which was strictly followed.
Coming to question of why this ban on women. First of all, it is not a blanket ban on women completely. It is a ban on women in the age group 10-55. Due to the certain physical and biological reasons the temple customs demands that women between this age group not visit the temple. It is because these women will not be able to follow the rules completely for those 40 days. This rule does not discriminate women completely . They are allowed to take the lord's darshan after menopause or women who have undergone hysterectomy can also make a trip to the temple. Also the ban the is only for carrying the irumudi and climbing the holy 18 steps. They are nevertheless allowed to take a general darshan at other times.
So, why the hue and cry? Because some actresses who thought this issue was fit to bring them back to limelight that they never had or lost over a period of time. The credibility of their statements can never be verified.
I believe it is time that we questioned irresponsible media attitude and protested against these very same media channels which encourage protests for every issue. At a time and age where there are more pressing issues which need the media attention for a growing democracy like India, we can certainly do without these stories taking religious tone.
posted by Euphoric Madness! | 6:45 pm
2 Comments:
well, its a pity to see that the media is giving up to more commercial benefits n makin big propagandas with jus superficial information and analysis!! its abt time these things change!!
btw, this is Koushik!!
new template, new name.... hmm, seems someone is keepin busy!!
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