The history tells us that the very first human community was lead by female. The very first human being was found to be a woman. The very first God invented by human was female. World changed later when human settled down on riversides and learned to cultivate and herd tamed animals. The male became the bread winner and hence got more exposure. The more exposure gave him the leadership qualities. But women continued to play major role. The conflict on their roles in the upcoming communities, became larger. The exposure male could get initially, helped them invent the "Male" - "Manly" Gods. By that time, the small communities had become small kingdoms. There came the necessity for the kingdoms to be saved at all times and hence the warriors were all men. Slowly, the physic of men started becoming more rugged and women gender started to succumb to their male counter parts. This continued around the world. Women were considered weaker sex. Some religious leaders advocated ways and means to protect the women. In may parts around the world, women were second class citizens. Even now, wage inequality exists in most parts of the world including the developed countries.
India had undergone the same development with a slight difference. The northern parts were under the strong grips of "Manusmiruti" which advocates women slavery, before the 700 CE. At that time, the south was treating women comparatively better. Though most of the world turned to"Male" omnipotent God, India still had women Gods... many of them. This continues even today. You can see the "Mari Amman" temples prevalent in communities migrated to various parts of the world even now. (You may google to find or email me for more details). There were revolutionary - no that is not the right word - rebellious leaders like Gautama Budha and Mahavir, who were against the "Manu" teachings.The religions they formed - Budhism and Janism - were successfully contained by the then Hindus. Budhism spread over the east Asia and is still dominant. Jainism (Mahavir's) is contained well and followed by considerable population in India.
The oppression of women continued unabated very violently in India only after the Islamic invasion, after the 8th century. The veils were forced for the women. Even the Hindu women started covering their heads and faces with their sarees (women's dress) only after that. With that influence, the Manu teachings were more vigorously followed and interpreted in many different ways by Hindus. Sati was one of such interpretation. The wife will be burned alive in the funeral pyre of the husband is called Sati. At the same time, Hinduism found a novel way to live their sex life. It extended the oppression of women in the name of religion. In every village they will devote few women to the temple for God. They would be great dance artists. At the same time they will serve the village men as prostitutes. They can collect money for their service but will never have a family of their own. Polygamy was common. Still there were queens in the south leading their countries to prosperity. When Islam spread to the south, it could not do much but the impact was evident. After the thirteenth century, there were Hindu revival movements. In south, many religious saints were reason for complete uproot of Budhism and Jainism. They first converted the kings and the kings did the rest. This revival, strengthened the oppression of women. There were so many women poets in the early Tamil literature. But after the thirteenth century, women were told to be at home. Till the early 20th century women were denied education. Though no part of Hinduism says that, it was the main impact of Islamic invasion in India. Hindus were educated to have strong family ties. Family means an omnipotent bread winner. Whatever he says is the law. An ever obeying slave wife. Women were told to obey their father when they were young. Obey their husband when they get married. Obey their male child when they are old with no husband. There were stories told to women. A women takes her sick husband on her head to a prostitutes house for his pleasure, because it was her duty to keep her husband happy. Women were made to accept this and it stays in their blood. Even the well educated woman, even today would say sacrificing my pleasures for family and listening to my husband is good for me. This is how they were brought up. Men mentality has grown to such an extent that - women is stupid, they are for pleasure. Only my mother, my sister, my wife and daughter are pure. Every other women is non-sense.
Let us come to current issue -
When all these rapes happened, every men, politicians, saints as well the well educated youths have responded in public media (Face Book, Blog, Twitter...) like this,
Why that girl went with a male friend?
That girl was not dressed properly.
See how exposing their dresses are.
She should have called the rapists "Brother". He would have left her.
Non-sense. Such talks are highly irritating. A thirteen year dressed in skirt (may be school uniform) cannot walk on the streets without being starred at by rascals.
We have seen enough history. What should we do now?
Start the change at home. Never tell your wife - "Hey listen to me. You must do what I say". Never say, after all you are female. Respect your mother sister and daughter and do give the same respect to your known female friends and colleagues.
A word to women. Do you think the male will do that? I mean what is in the previous para. Never. Freedom is not freely given. It is yours. Take it. Go out with pepper spray and a pocket knife. Do not hesitate to speak bad words in local slang calling his family names when any touch in the crowded bus is nasty. Do it not only for you, but also for the fellow passenger girl, who is vulnerable. Lead the struggle. Call the male a scoundrel, if they do not support you. The male population should shy away from all this. This is in your hands.
A word to the government. Bring sex education to school. Teach - good touch/bad touch at kinder garden. :Let male kids know what mensuration means and how painful it is. Allow men - not enough - make it mandatory for men to watch their wife's delivery. Last but not least - WAKE UP.
India had undergone the same development with a slight difference. The northern parts were under the strong grips of "Manusmiruti" which advocates women slavery, before the 700 CE. At that time, the south was treating women comparatively better. Though most of the world turned to"Male" omnipotent God, India still had women Gods... many of them. This continues even today. You can see the "Mari Amman" temples prevalent in communities migrated to various parts of the world even now. (You may google to find or email me for more details). There were revolutionary - no that is not the right word - rebellious leaders like Gautama Budha and Mahavir, who were against the "Manu" teachings.The religions they formed - Budhism and Janism - were successfully contained by the then Hindus. Budhism spread over the east Asia and is still dominant. Jainism (Mahavir's) is contained well and followed by considerable population in India.
The oppression of women continued unabated very violently in India only after the Islamic invasion, after the 8th century. The veils were forced for the women. Even the Hindu women started covering their heads and faces with their sarees (women's dress) only after that. With that influence, the Manu teachings were more vigorously followed and interpreted in many different ways by Hindus. Sati was one of such interpretation. The wife will be burned alive in the funeral pyre of the husband is called Sati. At the same time, Hinduism found a novel way to live their sex life. It extended the oppression of women in the name of religion. In every village they will devote few women to the temple for God. They would be great dance artists. At the same time they will serve the village men as prostitutes. They can collect money for their service but will never have a family of their own. Polygamy was common. Still there were queens in the south leading their countries to prosperity. When Islam spread to the south, it could not do much but the impact was evident. After the thirteenth century, there were Hindu revival movements. In south, many religious saints were reason for complete uproot of Budhism and Jainism. They first converted the kings and the kings did the rest. This revival, strengthened the oppression of women. There were so many women poets in the early Tamil literature. But after the thirteenth century, women were told to be at home. Till the early 20th century women were denied education. Though no part of Hinduism says that, it was the main impact of Islamic invasion in India. Hindus were educated to have strong family ties. Family means an omnipotent bread winner. Whatever he says is the law. An ever obeying slave wife. Women were told to obey their father when they were young. Obey their husband when they get married. Obey their male child when they are old with no husband. There were stories told to women. A women takes her sick husband on her head to a prostitutes house for his pleasure, because it was her duty to keep her husband happy. Women were made to accept this and it stays in their blood. Even the well educated woman, even today would say sacrificing my pleasures for family and listening to my husband is good for me. This is how they were brought up. Men mentality has grown to such an extent that - women is stupid, they are for pleasure. Only my mother, my sister, my wife and daughter are pure. Every other women is non-sense.
Let us come to current issue -
When all these rapes happened, every men, politicians, saints as well the well educated youths have responded in public media (Face Book, Blog, Twitter...) like this,
Why that girl went with a male friend?
That girl was not dressed properly.
See how exposing their dresses are.
She should have called the rapists "Brother". He would have left her.
Non-sense. Such talks are highly irritating. A thirteen year dressed in skirt (may be school uniform) cannot walk on the streets without being starred at by rascals.
We have seen enough history. What should we do now?
Start the change at home. Never tell your wife - "Hey listen to me. You must do what I say". Never say, after all you are female. Respect your mother sister and daughter and do give the same respect to your known female friends and colleagues.
A word to women. Do you think the male will do that? I mean what is in the previous para. Never. Freedom is not freely given. It is yours. Take it. Go out with pepper spray and a pocket knife. Do not hesitate to speak bad words in local slang calling his family names when any touch in the crowded bus is nasty. Do it not only for you, but also for the fellow passenger girl, who is vulnerable. Lead the struggle. Call the male a scoundrel, if they do not support you. The male population should shy away from all this. This is in your hands.
A word to the government. Bring sex education to school. Teach - good touch/bad touch at kinder garden. :Let male kids know what mensuration means and how painful it is. Allow men - not enough - make it mandatory for men to watch their wife's delivery. Last but not least - WAKE UP.
கருத்துகள் இல்லை:
கருத்துரையிடுக