Lot of discussions have taken place on my article on “Physical identities for Dalit-Ambedkairte women” (DV Jan. 16, 2005). DV family members have welcomed my criticism. They say that it is a good move, and women alone can do something in this direction. I don’t agree with this.
Who made the women to apply sindur and use Mangal Sutra? Is it not to keep them enslaved and inferior to men? Mangal Sutra and sindur point out that the woman having it is married and hence she is physically and mentally owned by one man for whole of his life.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has also criticized the saptapadi and such other Brahminical rituals in Hindu marriages.
Upper caste women: In ancient times Brahmins did not want any hurdle to their absolute monarchy. That is why they did not even spare their mothers, daughters, sisters and wives. They prescribed very brutal rules to control women (Rig Veda, Manu codes).
In the process of enslaving the Bahujan’s through the caste system, the worst sufferers are only the women. As we go from the “highest” jati (Brahmins) to the lowest (Dalit), the degree or the intensity of slavery of women increases from higher to lower jati. The “lowest caste” women suffer the most. Bahujan women go through all types of exploitation. She works round the clock and yet she remains hungry and neglected.
After “independence”, the life of upper caste women has changed and their hardships reduced. They have become independent mentally and financially. Savitribai Phule (BC) started the first school for women, and it was Dr. Ambedkar who drafted the Hindu Code Bill for liberating women. But the Brahmins took full benefit of Phule and Babasaheb’s efforts.
Husband’s permission: About 90% of Indians live in villages and in urban slums. The women have to do hard work to meet their needs but their sons, husbands enjoy. Either they idle away their time or indulge in gambling or goondaism.
But their women are forced to keep up the dignity of their marital status (sindur and Mangal Sutra) in the society. A systematic hinduisation of the non-Hindu Bahujans has affected the women much more than the men. Sindur and Mangal Sutra can alone help them, save, their lives and bring them happiness. This is what they think. But this is a myth. This myth alone is responsible for making women dependent and helpless. She always depends on some male. May be her father, brother, husband or son for her physical and financial protection. I think the sindur and Mangal Sutra are the easiest way to exploit her physically and mentally during her whole life. Sindur, Mangal Sutra, Curvachauth, Wat Savitri puja etc., related to married women only, add to their misery and exploitation.
Under such conditions how our Backward women can decide to shed these shackles (sindur and Mangal Sutra) on her own without the permission of her husband?
No free race from slave mothers: After the death of Babasaheb, Dalit movement is limping. When it takes one step forward, it goes two steps backward.
Because the Dalit movement is dominated by men who have kept their women enslaved. Our Editor has admitted these many times.
These males talk only about the inequality, discrimination and injustice caused to them by the upper castes. But the same Dalit men at home do the same things to their women. They do not recognize their women’s independent human identity.
A “low caste” women’s brain is controlled by their men. How then the Dalits can think that they can produce tigers and lions out of their slave mothers? Dalit- Bahujan males must think over this point. The Dalit movement cannot get off unless their women are also free. Superstition-ridden women cannot produce emancipated Dalits. Only such enlightened males with true Ambedkarite spirit can think of equality of men and women.
Dr. Ambedkar has said:
The progress of a community depends upon the progress of women of that particular community”.
Political power as master-key: So, if the oppressed people want their socio-political fight to be strengthened, they must first raise the level of their women. They must start discussing Budha, Periyar, Dr. Ambedkar first with their women so that they produce more Buddhas, Periyars and Ambedkar’s.
There are some people who think that political power first and educating women second. Those who think that political power is the master key and rush to get that key must remember that illiterate, dogmatic, be able to masses will not handle that superstitious key for long. A huge building without proper base or foundation cannot last long. Without proper emancipation, awareness, our leaders will behave like that pendulum and then it won’t be possible to control the key.
