Stop Hinduism from promoting discrimination against women
Bhumika Ghimire
July 02, 2006
As a society changes through time, its culture, beliefs and social systems need to change.Otherwise there will be an imbalance which has negative effect in the society, itls people and its growth.
The Nepali Hindu society has now entered a defining moment in history.After the nations' historic April revolutuion, which essentially brought down the monarchy and declared the nation secular, the people now have the task of rebuilding nation. Until the rveolution, Nepal was a Hindu state, with majority of population being Hindus.So the task of reforming the nation should start with the largest group of people.
Following are certain practices and beliefs which need to be reformed or removed if we want Nepal to progress as a modern society.
1) The ritual of animal sacrifice should be stopped immediately.This practice is inhuman and cruel.In name of religion we as a society cannot promote cruelty.
2) The practice of discriminating women when they are mensurating should stop.I know the supreme court has outlawed this but then it is not be honoured.In my home(while in Nepal) I was not allowed to enter the kitchen, go to the temple or touch anyone while I was having my periods.Yes I accept the blame for promoting this draconian practice and I promise I will not go dumb when this happens again.Every Nepali family should understand that mensuration is a normal bilogial process and does not make one "un-pure".This whole concept of discriminating mensurating women was developed to ensure that women didn't value themselves, that women felt they are inferior.
3) The practice of dowry should end.For my wedding my parents didn't spend much on dowry because we would be living in US and it was not possible to bring everything here.Still almost all wedding in Nepal, dowry is a big issue.The groom's side often ask for certain items or certain amount of money.In terai region, brides are tourtured, killed because of dowry dispute.If a bride doesn't bring enough dowry,she is often humiliated by the family members who then force her to ask more from her parents.This is extortion.
4) Then there is the plight of widows. As I mentioned in my article
widow's are at the bottom of Hindu society, even below the untouchables.She cannot wear red, has to give up eating meat(if she is a non-vegitarian), she cannot wear makeup.Widow's are seen as sign of bad luck,so they are not invited in ceratin cermonies during a wedding.Family humiliation and society's torture is another thing they have to bear. In contrast if a wife dies a man is a free bird.Some even marry immediately after the customary 45 day mourning period.This is height of discrimination and cruely againt women.
5) Caste system should be abolished.Infact(this is extreme), no one should be allowed to write their last name which would represent their caste.For example, I am a Ghimire,so I am a brahmin( the so called higher cate), so I should not write my name as Bhumika Ghimire.Instead of a caste based last name people should write another name as last name.For Example, Bhumika Laxmi( Laxmi is goddess of wealth).
6) Everyone should be allowed to enter a temple.The untouchables and people from other religions should not be barred.
7) Discrimination against single womern, childless women and women who don't have sons should end.A widow should be allowed to remarry,if she desires.I know there is no leagl provision agaist widow re-marriage but then the families still donot accept this and take this as a sign of promuscuity or betryal.
Above all, we should amend all the religious texts which say men are above women or which promote discrimination,from Manu Smirit to the Vedas.
Copyright:Bhumika,2006
The Nepali Hindu society has now entered a defining moment in history.After the nations' historic April revolutuion, which essentially brought down the monarchy and declared the nation secular, the people now have the task of rebuilding nation. Until the rveolution, Nepal was a Hindu state, with majority of population being Hindus.So the task of reforming the nation should start with the largest group of people.
Following are certain practices and beliefs which need to be reformed or removed if we want Nepal to progress as a modern society.
1) The ritual of animal sacrifice should be stopped immediately.This practice is inhuman and cruel.In name of religion we as a society cannot promote cruelty.
2) The practice of discriminating women when they are mensurating should stop.I know the supreme court has outlawed this but then it is not be honoured.In my home(while in Nepal) I was not allowed to enter the kitchen, go to the temple or touch anyone while I was having my periods.Yes I accept the blame for promoting this draconian practice and I promise I will not go dumb when this happens again.Every Nepali family should understand that mensuration is a normal bilogial process and does not make one "un-pure".This whole concept of discriminating mensurating women was developed to ensure that women didn't value themselves, that women felt they are inferior.
3) The practice of dowry should end.For my wedding my parents didn't spend much on dowry because we would be living in US and it was not possible to bring everything here.Still almost all wedding in Nepal, dowry is a big issue.The groom's side often ask for certain items or certain amount of money.In terai region, brides are tourtured, killed because of dowry dispute.If a bride doesn't bring enough dowry,she is often humiliated by the family members who then force her to ask more from her parents.This is extortion.
4) Then there is the plight of widows. As I mentioned in my article
widow's are at the bottom of Hindu society, even below the untouchables.She cannot wear red, has to give up eating meat(if she is a non-vegitarian), she cannot wear makeup.Widow's are seen as sign of bad luck,so they are not invited in ceratin cermonies during a wedding.Family humiliation and society's torture is another thing they have to bear. In contrast if a wife dies a man is a free bird.Some even marry immediately after the customary 45 day mourning period.This is height of discrimination and cruely againt women.
5) Caste system should be abolished.Infact(this is extreme), no one should be allowed to write their last name which would represent their caste.For example, I am a Ghimire,so I am a brahmin( the so called higher cate), so I should not write my name as Bhumika Ghimire.Instead of a caste based last name people should write another name as last name.For Example, Bhumika Laxmi( Laxmi is goddess of wealth).
6) Everyone should be allowed to enter a temple.The untouchables and people from other religions should not be barred.
7) Discrimination against single womern, childless women and women who don't have sons should end.A widow should be allowed to remarry,if she desires.I know there is no leagl provision agaist widow re-marriage but then the families still donot accept this and take this as a sign of promuscuity or betryal.
Above all, we should amend all the religious texts which say men are above women or which promote discrimination,from Manu Smirit to the Vedas.
Copyright:Bhumika,2006
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