At Durga temple in Madurai (Tamil Nadu), a woman staked her claim to be the full-time pujari (priest-a hereditary position at that temple) in 2006. Agreeing with her claim, the Madras high court ruled that “the altars of the God must be free from gender bias.”
Earlier this week Tamil Nadu’s state minister of temple administration also announced that women and non-Brahmins could also be appointed as priests in temples following stipulated training. It has again triggered a debate about patriarchy in religion.
Scholars say Hinduism does not ban women from becoming priests. But over time, patriarchal notions have seeped into some practices —prohibitions on women during menstruation, for instance. These are being challenged by younger feminists and the Sabarimala judgment that lifted the ban on women of menstruating age was hailed as a landmark in feminist jurisprudence.
WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION SAY
- Articles 15 (prohibiting discrimination against a citizen on the grounds of sex)
- 51A (e) (stressing the fundamental duty of every citizen to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women).
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