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Courts and Faith in India
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June 2020
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Recently Sabarimala Temple in India was in news.
The core issue was the tradition whereby women of menstruating age (10-50) are barred from going to the temple. Although this temple is hundreds of years old (believed to be built originally in 12th century and rebuilt in last century), only in more recent time (like the last few years) has this become a hotspot issue in press. There was an uproar made in the name of gender equality and the matter ultimately went to SCOI (Supreme Court of India) which eventually decided in Sep 2018, that the ban on women entry is discriminatory and hence illegal. Yet after the judgement, there is a big division in the society and devotees about a court deciding on a centuries old tradition is even proper..The administration is selectively targeting this Hindu temple while there are many other temples, mosques, churches where restrictions are applied. Infact there are temples where men are not supposed to go..So why this temple selectively and whether its even proper for judiciary to get into the matter of societal customs..
My thoughts...
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Something amiss about Indians (especially Hindus) is that they dont have respect for their own culture and heritage and are more happy copying the west until west starts praising something about India..and then Indians (especially the self slapping apologetic ones) flock around and say 'Thats right'
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In this case, the judges here in the jingoism of proving some imaginary notion of gender equity and copy Europe/west where such judgments are the norm..
Im a bit amused to read news when the courts in India decide to be the forebearers of cultural righteousness when they pass silly judgments on subjects like Gay rights, Sabarimala, Ram temple etc.. those judges must realize that their job is merely to 'interpret the constitution' not make new social laws or new laws in general.
Especially when their judgements have no connection with the ground realities of the society of India..they must realize that Sabarimala ritual has nothing-nada-shunya to do with gender bias.
Infact there is not culture like Hinduism where women/feminine power is more respected (case in point think Srima Kali, Durga..and as @Swamy39 likes to say in jest 'in brahma' s cabinet all important portfolios belong to female deities'.
Even Vedic rituals/Yagyas are considered incomplete if the 'devi' or wife of the Yagya-karta (one performing the yagya) is not present.
Example..when Lord Sri Ram was preforming the Aswamegha yagya and Srimati Sita was not present (because she was exiled -- ref Uttara kanda of Ramayan), they did not go ahead and do the yagya without her, they actually placed a idol of her representing her presence in the yagya..thus showing the 'importance' of the feminine gender in the ritual..there are numerous such examples but sad our 'elite' judges dont seem to realize or understand that.
Hence such silly judgments..especially against Hindus.
The best thing now would be for indians to just ignore it and do what the tradition has been all along..
