More than opening the door of the temple there are many barricades that should be opened says women.
Even though the Shani Shingnapur trust has permitted women to enter the inner sanctum of the temple and offer prayers but will it make any major difference to lives of women who have to bear the brunt of domestic violence, rapes, gender disparity, dowry. Women activists might be rejoicing that 400 year old tradition has finally being broken after the revocation of the ban imposed on women’s entry into Shani temple’s inner sanctum but they will have to fight a long battle ahead against gender inequality. There are several women who are becoming victims of domestic violence.
Even today many families are aborting girl child as they prefer male child thereby resulting in skewed sex ratio. Women are becoming victims of stalking every year. They often fall victim to cyber bullying then men. Gender pay gap exists in the country as women employees are paid lesser salary as compared to their male counterparts. Many of them have to face sexual harassment at work place and while commuting in trains and buses. Today we talk about women empowerment but they don’t get adequate representation in parliament and legislative assembly. The glass ceiling is yet to be broken as women are kept out of boardroom of many companies.
Rupal Mistry animator and cartoonist said, “How will it make difference now. Will it boost the tourism or how many women will now rush to Shani Shingnapur for seeking blessings of the deity? Women in this country needs to channelize the energy for the betterment of womanhood by opening the door of Shani Shingnapur. I don’t think it will make much difference to women’s life where rape, abuse, domestic violence are on the rise.”
Dr Reena Jain said, “More than opening the door of the temple there are many barricades that should be opened. God never closed its door for anybody but people make rules.”
Special Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian said, “The Indian constitution has granted equal rights to men and women in this country. I believe equality has been achieved in at least one temple of the state. But both genders must ensure sanctity of the place, not just temple but every religious place.”
When we asked lawyer Vandana Shah what difference it will make in a woman’s life if she is allowed entry into the Shani temple she said, “More than making any difference in woman’s life, it is our fundamental right to visit or worship any religious place. These old archaic laws are discriminating against women. On one hand people speak about respecting women, on the other hand they are barred from entering temples which is unjustified.”
“This social legal system is against the women as people say that if women enter the temple the atmosphere gets spoiled. Unless and until women come forward to speak for their rights, restrictions will continue to happen,” she added.
