So Manu Smriti is not a fixed standard text that was followed nor does it carry the force of the Vedas. To quote a contemporary example, Manu Smriti is like the Directive Principles of State Policy, while the Vedas are akin to the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. While former need not be followed but only commendatory in nature , the latter has the force of Law and has to be followed. In case of Conflict between the two, the Fundamental Rights will prevail. So Vedas are like the Fundamental Rights and Manu Smriti, Directive principles of State Policy. The major difference is that unlike the Fundamental Rights, Vedas can not be changed/amended. As time changes, so are the customs and values. Hence Manu Smriti also changes , depending on the Yuga. What we now have as Manu Smriti , I am not sure is the one meant for Kali Yuga, And The Manu Smriti reflects the Social Life. Like the Films, the question of whether Society influences Life or the other way around, one is never sure. With this back ground let us look at the quoted texts which are derogatory to women.
Tag: Gender equality
Women , not all of them but the self styled feminists, would like one to believe that they are being discriminated by Men,want Equal Rights with Men. They also say that they are not weak , can do what a Man could do. In the same breath they expect Men to be chivalrous and give, as a courtesy(!?), to give priority to women in Public, say like allowing them the first right of passage,special seats for them in Trains buses, special timing and excuses for leave in the work place. To me if you want to be equal to Men , you should expect to be treated like men. To garner votes, the Government of India has gone overboard. The Cabinet has given the nod for the following proposals. "A wife will have a share in her husband's inherited or inheritable marital property on divorce, though the exact quantum of the compensation has been left to the discretion of the judge, according to a legislation that was cleared by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. The Cabinet also cleared the proposal that in cases where divorce has been sought on mutual consent of both parties the judiciary has been given the discretion to grant divorce to one party after a period of three years, even if the man and the wife are no longer on the same page. These were part of the recommendations of the GoM on Marriage Laws Amendment Bill which will now be amended suitably before being brought to Parliament during the monsoon session, beginning August 5. By not quantifying the amount of compensation the government has moderated its earlier proposal to give a wife "equal" share in marital property. The ministers felt that a judge could decide on the quantum of compensation after taking into account an entire set of considerations such as the disposable income of both husband and wife, conditions like who will bear the primary responsibility of raising the children and claimants on the "inheritable property." If you do not want to live with a Man, why do you want his property? Are men returned the favor? How many divorced women pay Alimony to their ex Husbands? Relationship is about understanding and compromising one with the other. If you want to end it, it should be with lock, stock and barrel, not what is convenient,. While cases about Men walking out of relationships, Marriages, is widely reported, women indulging in this, never gets reported for the man considers that it is an insult to divulge it and Dog bites Man is not News. I know a case, where a woman deliberately pretended to love a Boy , got married, drugged him with the help of her mother for three years and tried to get his property worth one crore and finally settled for 30 lakhs!.. If in a relationship, if either wants any thing more than the Relationship, other than Love, Care and Affection, in my dictionary it is, sorry for using this, Prostitution. (Desertion , if proved, is a different matter and has to be strictly dealt with by Punishment and Compensation, this applies to both sex). The other proposal of granting divorce after three years, even if one party is not willing or has a change of mind, Divorce is to be granted. So the aim is to see that the Institution of marriage is broken, no compromise. Then why do you have family Courts for Divorces, simply follow 'Talaq,talaq, talaq' and be done with it. However I am not against Divorces if either the husband or wife is unfaithful , neglectful of the other and embark on cruelty. This point is common to bth sex. There is a mistaken impression that there is no cruelty being practiced by Women. It is erroneous. It exists more than one thinks.
India treats women badly than Pakistan,Bangladesh and Nepal. Its performance is poor even against Iraq!.. This is what the UNDP Report findings say. Indian HDI(Human Development Index) is 136,Pakistan 146,Bangladesh 146,Nepal and 157! Yes, True. In India women are hounded out,all are in purdah,Women are stoned to death,women need permission to go to Work,they are ostracized for touching man,they can be divorced by calling Talaq thrice even over Phone! Another Catherine Mayos’s Report on India.!
May be there is a difference in priorities.matriarchal system was the first developed in the evolution of Humanity and over a period of time it changed into a patriarchal system It is a fact that women as of now are not being given what is due to them. This being the case , they need a slight push to regain their rightful place. At the same time women need not attempt to do what all a man does in the name of Woman's Lib for it is not natural.Wisdom lies in choosing what you are equipped by Nature to do.</
Gender equality is an Utopian dream.Men and women have different functions as they have been endowed differently , both physically and mentally. Basic question is what is special about equality with men?To attempt something for which you are not meant for is foolish just as men can not have the unique status of motherhood.If by equality is meant equal opportunities with men in terms of profession,emoluments it is allright.But to demand equality in whatevr men do is self defeating.
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