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The whole family is celebrating. Deep into their prayers, they are offering Ahuties at the havan. Sanjeevani stands in a corner. She is treated like an outcast. Every female member knows her pain. They are the first ones to guide her from absenting from the rituals. They share knowing glances. Yet, none of them dare to take the step to include her in their rituals.
Trupti had made all the arrangements. She was looking forward to Sigri (a function night before Karva Chauth) tonight. Tomorrow she planned to keep the painful but satisfying waterless fast tomorrow. Now her plans have all been wiped out because the unthinkable has happened. She is into her periods.
A woman goes through two stark realities in her life.
First when she attains puberty. Second when in some family function she becomes a person non-gratis because her periods.
She feels it is her fault. She feels let down by her body. She feels confused and a bit worried. She will not be able to fast for her husband’s long life. It is her fault, she should have kept track. The beliefs are well entrenched that women themselves help propagating them. There are very few women who are challenging this.
It happens across India and other counties where the religious rituals and their age-old traditions are still being maintained.
If we consider days of religious importance from Ganesh Chaturthi – Navratra- Dhanteras – Dussehra- Diwali period, we will find there are some 15-18 such days in a 50 days period. Statically speaking, for no fault of their, some 30% of women have a chance of facing this painful reality. What is their fault? Nothing.
Yes medicines exist to delay periods but that solution is like playing into the hands of religious zealots. And that is not the solution.
This is a new world and the reasons why menstruating women were not allowed to take part in religious rituals may not be valid any more. One side I feel dismayed that none of the so-called forward-looking women with their crazy provocative feminist YouTube videos have taken up. Secondly most of the spineless Indian men fail to stand by the side of their spouses and sisters in such situation.
We are all part of the universal high mind- God. We are part of nature that has been evolving towards perfection. Yet we will want to slow down the speed of changes in these matters. If God was to consider them impure then God is to blame for their status. And this cannot be, logic. God in all its form does not differentiate even between a rapist, a murderer or a priest. And who will become impure by the touch of a menstruating woman; God, the supreme creator. There cannot be anything more laughable than this.
It is a simply a man made rule.
Let us give them benefit of doubt. Maybe the considerate males in earlier times, in their wisdom did not want women to take in rituals because of them being physically awkward and uncomfortable. The issue of hygiene that might have prompted creation of this (sic) rule is no longer valid. Or these custodians of religion do not know their biology. This is the most creative natural process. They can get educated.
We have changed as per male convenience. Earlier a menstruating woman was not allowed to “enter the kitchen and temples, sleep in the day-time, bathe, wear flowers, have sex, touch other males or females, or talk loudly. Now with nuclear families and pressure of the life, many of these restrictions have been lifted. Is that not a case enough to changing it all together?
Unfortunately many a women are forced to adapt the ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ philosophy during these times and that makes them that more uncomfortable. They believe they are breaking God’s rule. I am not here to preach or suggest how to follow religion. But wish to raise the point that how come this is one thing that seems to be common in most of the religion. Does that not provide circumstantial proof of it being a trap created by males?
Nothing is going to change soon. Nothing till the time we all are not comfortable talking about it. When we stop being uncomfortable about it. Maybe when the pads are no longer sold wrapped in newspaper packed in the slimy y black polythene bags that is a walking billboard.
If SC today raises an issue on Polygamy in Muslims Vs. sati in Hindus, why it is silent in this discriminating behaviour against 50% of country population. Unfortunately, Media, films and education which could have played a significant role in changing the perspective is silent witness to the continuing discrimination.
Or lets us agree what was created was right. Then what about stopping allowing women to enter the mall during period days.
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This was first published in MARKETING BUZZAR. Other articles published in Marketing Buzzar click here. You may access his weekly column in mxmindia at KOTMARTIAL . For other published articles click here And if you interested in humour in advertising & marketing here are some real life episodes for you . LESSONS IN LIFE AND MANAGEMENT captures experience from episodes in life
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