Abhijay Srekanth- Week 3

I will be reflecting on one chapter in Seeking Begampura- Hinduism and Patriarchy

The former examines the relationship f women with Hinduism as a religion, and whether their caste statuses within the Hindu structure in any way ameliorates the oppression meted out to them on the basis of their gender. The chapter begins with an analysis of Jyotibhai Phule’s work with educating lower caste children. Unlike some of her counterparts, her experiences within the four corners of the household werent too oppressive. Her husband was surprisingly supportive, allowing her to be educate and not divorcing her when she couldn’t have children. 

Prandita Rambai’s journey with regards to her becoming disillusioned with the hindu structure is fascinating. While always a staunch feminist, her earlier work seemed to buy into upper-caste ideology, seeing the caste system and bhramanical domination as merely the smartest becoming rulers. However, as her later writings show, she identifies Hinduism (through the various scriptures) as inherently anti-woman. Her work in the 1990s helped her disgard her caste-prejudices, and work towards establishing casteless and classless woman empowering spaces. 

Multiple caste scholars have ctiticised the treatment of women by the hindu structure. The oppression of women is essential in order to preserve upper-caste endogamy. To put it in Ambedkar’s words, women are the gateway to the caste system. 


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