Sir,
Noted journalist M.J. Akbar in his write up ‘Guardians of the pulpit’ presented an excellent overview of centuries old concept of male dominance common to all religions of the world. It is a worth reading piece of knowledge and information for all but especially for those who are votaries of keeping the values and cultural mindset intact at this stage of awakening when male hegemony has virtually come to be confined to the framing of rules and muscle flexing. Otherwise in all spheres of human activity woman has very well established her prowess and acumen. Akbar’s castigation of the priest class of all religions is really very beautiful. I would like to reproduce his words ‘Religion is inspirational in the voice of prophets and sermons of saints. What it becomes, centuries later, in the control of its self-appointed guardians is another story’. His reprimanding of the selective approach of tweaking religious injunctions is a hard hitting satire on those who oppose much needed change on the pretext that this may put their religion in danger. The writer clarifies that time necessitated change will definitely put the ‘male hegemony under threat’ otherwise ‘all doctrines understand that law should be adjusted to circumstances.’ The author has also clarified the concept of modernity which according to him is equality-political and social. The article has been summed up equally beautifully with this line that ‘change is visible but the long war has merely begun’ that exhorts all of us to be part of the change in our reactionary thought process.
Yours etc.
Harjinder Singh
55/7/2, Nanak Nagar
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