With reference to Niranjan Vasant comment in AV 11-17 May 2019. First of all one has to understand what Hinduism stands for.
Hinduism is a Sanatan Dharma based on the Natures law. Pillars of Hinduism are Morality, Truth, Justice, Love, and Compassion with equality. Hinduism is not dogmatic religion.
Niranjan is in full agreement of Hindu values as he explained beautifully regarding status of women in Hinduism. If this is the case, why Swaminarayan sect sadhus have fear of not or communicating directly and seeing women? All different religious people of the world who have taken oath of chastity who are also focusing in divine mission have no problem with women.
I would like to present a case that happened in Kerala in 2015. Swami cannot be seated near women, translator ‘ asked to stay away from book release.
The book ‘ Transcendence – My spiritual Experience with Swamiji’ by Abdual Kalam was translated into Malayalam language by a woman Sreedevi Kartha. As Swami had taken a vow of not to see the women, he had refused to take book from the woman translator.
Many women Organizations protested on the injustice done to woman. Thus the function was cancelled. Our good or evil actions create good or evil reaction. This not just insult to Hindu women but also to the finest book written by a Muslim.
If above incident was tackled with humility, tolerance, love, trust, forgiveness and equality, sadhus would have made every one happy. Sadhus preach on peace and harmony but do they practice. Instead one outdated rigid practice created tension and sorrow in Kerala community.
Chastity is not important but it is our attitude that plays part through thoughts in our mind are important that reflect in the society.
Mahatma Gandhiji and Dalai Lama are good example of chastity. They don’t have fear of seeing and communicating with opposite sex. They have earned highest respect from women all over the world as they saw both sexes as human beings.
Manoj Patel
Hemel Hempstead
