This article was originally published on 19th December, 2018.
Why should an atheist like me worry about Sabarimala? For three reasons. The first is moral and human. If I had been stopped at the entrance of a temple because of my menstruating age, I would have felt outraged. I would have felt reduced to an object judged on the basis of a low common denominator. This is no different from discrimination on the basis of colour of one’s skin, one’s language, old age, or religious belief. Incidentally, atheists are also discriminated against. But that is not my point here. Attitude of Sabarimala management is offensive to me as a human being. My second reason for condemning the discrimination is my upbringing in a democratic India. After prolonged debate, we decided to be a pluralistic, inclusive, equal society. These ideals we enshrined in our Constitution. Generations of young teenagers like me in Kerala have been fighting for their right to enter Sabarimala. Women of Pathanamthitta, who should know better, also point out than not allowing females, in their menstruating age, to enter a public place of worship is a form of untouchability, which has been made illegal in India decades ago. They argue that the Constitution of India grants them the right to equality and the freedom to practice religion. In denying entrance to menstruating women, these values are being subverted. The Supreme Court of India, as custodian of these values, has granted women the freedom to enter Sabarimala. However, orders of the Supreme Court are not being allowed to be implemented. Our hard-won freedoms and values have been held ransom by a small group of male chauvinists hiding in plain sight as protectors of tradition. But the questions that now lie in front of us, as a society, include; does the fight for equality of menstruating women end here? Is this issue only confined to the walls of Sabarimala? Is it important to go to a temple which doesn’t welcome you for who you are? Should we worship Lord Ayyappan even after he has these, so-called, rituals and traditions? According to me, the answer to all these questions is a NO. Even now in India’s millions of households’ young teenage girls aren’t allowed to enter the kitchen or the mandir (temple) of the house just because of an uncontrollable biological factor. The judgment of SC, although much appreciated, will not change the mindsets of people. To do that, it will not only take time but also a lot of effort and the government’s coordination, which isn’t seen at all. Only with the coordination of the government can awareness camps, etc. can be effectively carried out. This is a serious issue, which is certainly not confined to the Sabarimala case, but goes much beyond. The failure of society in accepting the young girls of this country, is leading to today’s youth to lose faith in themselves. All this also leads to a bigger issue, which is, the future of the country will be put in danger. Even if one out of ten girls are treated like outcasts, they may grow up to believe that they are useless. Women should not look at the issue at hand but should also look at the deeper issue.The idea is to not only change the law but change the mindset. Youngsters, today, shouldn’t confine themselves to fight for Sabarimala but also confront the dark side of almost every Indian household with a girl child, perhaps, the future of our nation.