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“The Burgos Pope went down in history as the most debauched predators in the name of spiritual service. One wonders whether the Brahmins of India are any better than them.”
Time and again there have been enough discussions on how sexism and casteism are intertwined. However “Brahmanical Patriarchy” is an exclusive case whose roots date back to centuries. It is the patriarchy that opened ways for more revived forms of discrimination and cruelty against women. Any discrimination is a form of an exhibition of unearned privilege against the marginalized and in India Brahmins best describes that.
To understand Brahmanical patriarchy one must be aware of the ‘gifts’ bestowed upon the Brahmins by their revered Manu Smriti.
These are only very few gems from the script. Also, there are ample evidences in history that the Malabar Kings sent their newlywed wives to the priests for first night to deflower them as the fresh nuptials of a woman has to be a gift to God which can be accomplished only when a Brahmin enjoys her. The priests were even paid for that! Appalling isn’t it?
More shamefully, the Brahmins went on a spree proclaiming any woman of their choice to please them as and when required in the guise of “Service to God.”
Ambedkar states, “The Burgos Pope went down in history as the most debauched predators in the name of spiritual service. One wonders whether the Brahmins of India are any better than them.”
Sure, patriarchy is deep-rooted around the globe irrespective of class and castes. But in India, Brahmanism that triumphed over Buddhism, paved way for more injustice and assault against women who were climbing the social ladder under Buddhist regime.
One may argue that the gems from Manu Smriti cannot be held accountable now in the 21st century to spew venom against a community. But one should remember that the same community still benefits from the script as a result of prolonged prejudice against the marginalized and till now the community has never condemned any part of it. Also to be remembered is the fact that the Brahmins were the most opposing group when The Hindu code bill was constituted to improve the social status of women in India.
As much as Manu gave leeway to the Brahmins to wrong others, the Brahmins themselves went on a spree interpreting and executing more than what was in it. Which means the horrors committed by Brahmins are more than what was in the wicked script. Hence it becomes necessary the evil be uprooted which will eventually make its branches (other forms of patriarchy) wither away.
Brahmins annoyed by the term should reconsider what “Brahminism” actually stands for and hold themselves accountable instead of feigning ignorance which they usually do.
Image via Historyboard.in
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Women today don’t want to be in a partnership that complicates their lives further. They need an equal partner with whom they can figure out life as a team, playing by each other’s strengths.
We all are familiar with that one annoying aunty who is more interested in our marital status than in the dessert counter at a wedding. But these aunties have somehow become obsolete now. Now they are replaced by men we have in our lives. Friends, family, and even work colleagues. It’s the men who are worried about why we are not saying yes to one among their clans. What is wrong with us? Aren’t we scared of dying alone? Like them?
A recent interaction with a guy friend of mine turned sour when he lectured me about how I would regret not getting married at the right time. He lectured that every event in our lives needs to be completed within a certain timeframe set by society else we are doomed. I wasn’t angry. I was just disappointed to realize that annoying aunties are rapidly doubling in our society. And they don’t just appear at weddings or family functions anymore. They are everywhere. They are the real pandemic.
Let’s examine this a little closer.
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