Women's Entry Banned In Places Of Worship: Discrimination Or Discretion?

While gender rights activists have been up in arms against the discriminatory treatment meted out to women in Sabarimala, Haji Ali Dargah and Shani Shingnapur temple, the clergy and self-proclaimed custodians have cited custom and overwhelming 'consensus' among the faithful to support the continuation of the tradition. In 21st century India, has the time come to break these barriers or are there any spiritual, religious reasons behind these customs? Do women have equal rights vis-a-vis men in terms of right to worship? Do religions discriminate among men and women or is it the patriarchal clergy who are misinterpreting texts to hold their sway over the faithful? Is this a battle between the gender rights activists and patriarchal clergymen or a simple question of traditional rituals being dragged into controversy for no apparent reason? Do write to us on what you think at bigfight@ndtv.com.