THEOLOGICAL REASONS FOR GENDER INJUSTICE IN INDIA: AN ANALYSIS
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Date
2018
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Faculty of Theology Gospel & Plough Institute of Theology Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Abstract
This thesis provides the first exclusive analysis of theological reasons for the persistence of gender injustice in India. Gender injustice is not only associated with social, economic, legal, and political factors, but its theological causes have deep roots in foundational Sanskrit religious writings. For example, a father needs a son to liberate his soul from the Put-hell, to perform the anteyeṣṭi and to regularly maintain the śrāddha ceremonies.
It is striking that the influential religious writings such as the Ṛgveda or the most important works on Tamil grammar and life such as Tolkāppiyam and Tirukkuṟaḷ convey ambiguous views of women. The origin stories of women in Sanskrit religious writings do not consider women on par with men. Normally, women are presented as goddesses and demons, as mothers of sons or spiritual temptresses of men. In every age, there were few exceptional individual women, who challenged the male-cantered attitude and behaviour for their times. Gārgī Vīcaknavī and Maitreyī in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad (III.8), Savitribai Phule (1831–1897), Krupabai Sattianadhan (1862–1894), Pandita Ramabai (1858–1922), Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddi (1886–1968) and other female reformers were ‘rebels’ of their time.
Drastic social changes began occurring in the early decades of 19th century. British legislators, Indian reformers, architects of modern legal systems in India and numerous nongovernmental agencies tirelessly sought ways to promote the welfare and wellbeing of women in all aspects of their lives. Thus far, they achieved partial success. As a result, most Indian women, who had formal education, are in better positions than their predecessors.
Women in India do not yet enjoy the full measure of gender justice. Policymakers blame the Indian mindset as the cause for persisting gender injustice. They assume that this mindset remains unchanging and is unchangeable It is evident that gender injustice is more than a social, political, economic and educational issue. It also has theological roots, which should be addressed. This thesis, therefore, offers a theological approach that derives its insights from humans, especially women, being created in God’s image enjoying equality, dignity, sanctity, creativity and mutual responsibility (Genesis 1:27) and from a new and higher thinking (metanoia, in Mark 1:15).
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Ph. D. Thesis
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