Female emancipation and the BKWSU

Movie :• Maya by Digvijay Singh

Based on real-life events, the movie recounts the story of 12-year-old, middle-class girl, a carefree child, who when she begins to menstruate is used in an ancient religious practice. A "marriage" to the goddess Yellama.

Called Devadasism, it involves the religiously sanctioned consignment of girls to a lifetime of sexual slavery in India, performed by Venkatasani and Jogini cults among others. In some cases it's not priests but the local landlords who carries out the act and different gods are involved. Child abuse with religious sanctions, ritualized rape.

Villagers have the attitude, "somebody has to be dedicated, or the goddess will be angry". I wonder about the context in which the young girls are given to the BKWSU ...

I often read about ritualized rape performed by groups of men on young girls in neighbouring Muslim countries with all sorts of excuses, often as a punishment fo alleged adultery or a slightly rebellious behaviour of the woman.

Every country still oppresses women according to its own "speciality". BKWSU claims to be doing a lot for the improvement of women condition, but this could be discussed elsewhere. I am trying not to regret having put energy and time for 20 yrs in Murlis and bhattis etc ... rather than being involved in some more useful social cause in a way that could really make a difference!

In some Indian BK centers, there are sort of "sponsors". Landlord-type of characters roaming around very freely, even sleeping there. As far as I saw, they were arrogant and basically taking the service of having "Brahma bhojan", holy food prepared for them. If services due to them by Sisters, included anything else, I would not be surprised, at this point. As you mentioned about the villagers' culture, there's a lot more for us to dig and unreveal.

We can play "Western journalists", but it takes indians to come forward and cooperate in "exposing" any abuse that may be going on and the public is not aware of!

In some Indian BK centers, there are sort of "sponsors". Landlord-type of characters roaming around very freely, even sleeping there. As far as I saw, they were arrogant and basically taking the service of having "Brahma bhojan", holy food prepared for them.

That sounds like a nice retirement plan. Give a house to the BKWSU and get some free, obediant, surrendered BK Sisters to look after you ...

Can anyone else substantiate this?

To start with: Jaipur main center. One IP-ish Brother had a permanent bed room on the top floor of the center.

In many centers Brothers are doing male heavy chores and Sisters, in turn, feed them. Nothing wrong with that. Nice family feeling. Those kind of Brothers are humble and cooperative, and the Sisters are angelic, not subservient.

The vibe I got in Jaipur, and I might recall more places possibly other people may as well, was totally different. This is why the word "landlord" triggered some thoughts in my mind. Some centers are very poor and run down in India, and students help with even a quart of milk or something but do not "own" the center or the Sisters. I refer to a "commanding" way of speaking to the Sisters, to the servilism those men expect. Typical roles in India.

I speak little Hindi, and we've always been discouraged from learning by the SS. More and more I can see why. But tone of voice, vibes and body language, cannot lie nor be hidden. Especially from witches, ! What impression do you get of Delhi New Rotak Rd center?

p.s. thanks to Admin for kindly making this as a new topic!

Delhi centre, i think, is a big cash cow for some of the residents ... Delhi is well known for the taxi scam.

Yes, Green, very true, a real shameless showcase, indecent. That could also go in the "what's pulling me away topic"! But what about the interaction between Brothers and Sisters there? It is a mixed Brothers and Sisters center. Some powerful mafia guys there, always making "offers you cannot refuse".

Just a question, I am sure some center Sisters or ex such can feed me info on. We have been instructed that we should not prepare and offer Bhog on Thursday if that day happens to coincide with our period.

When that happens, another Sister or even Brother (he will be asked with some sort of embarrassment and prudishness if he can take over the task) will cook.

Now, what is the basis for such Maryadas?

We all know, and gynecologists can confirm, that women can become nervous and have suffer from some unpleasant symptoms related to PMT (Pre Menstrual Tension), due to the hormonal changes in the body that follow ovulation and include tension and pain in breasts and abdomen, migraine, backache etc.. Sure this can lead to bad moods and thoughts.

But during the actual bleeding days, not all women feel much discomfort. So what's the purpose for a ban on offering food to God, if not for making the woman in its most typical biological expression feel impure, a "contaminating agent" on students?

Many primitive societies and Muslims consider a menstruating woman impure and often isolate her somewhere. Which can also be a well deserved break from hard labour such as working in the fields. But women usually go to offices etc ... whilst menstruating and find toilets, water and Tampax available in most countries.

So, where are the roots and what is the philosophy behind certain rules? Chauvinism and primitivism cannot be cured with a pain killer!!

It like 90% of Brahmin rules comes straight from Hinduism.

I know of someone who challenged Jayanti on this issue, I cannot be bothered to write more.

Some powerful mafia guys there, always making "offers you cannot refuse".

One guy, Gopal, comes to mind. He spoke frankly about the espectation for bribes to get things done in India, and about BKs unwillingness to pay bribes under most circumstances. His job in the government had no actual duties. He was free to spend his days as he liked, provided he kept a friendly connection with his boss, helped by occasional gifts. Brij Mohan, the publisher of Purity magazine, now deceased, also lived there. A jovial man, round as compared with Gopal's, 'jowly' look.

His job in the government had no actual duties. He was free to spend his days as he liked, provided he kept a friendly connection with his boss, helped by occasional gifts.

Do you mean his job for the government was just to watch the BKWSU? In an organization of its size, I would expect for there to be some Government stooge put in place to keep an eye on what was going on for reasonable purposes.

Do you mean his job for the government was just to watch the BKWSU? In an organization of its size, I would expect for there to be some Government stooge put in place to keep an eye on what was going on for reasonable purposes.

The job was/is a 'sinecure'. No duties at all. He was therefore free to devote himself to BK service. He lived in the Delhi center. Who else would have been Alladin's 'mafia guy'?

Ah, definitely a bit difficult to refuse Gopal Bhai's "suggestions" about transports, shopping, etc ...!! I always did my thing, but these people do not like disobedience and independence.

In Madhuban and Abu Rd centers also, some guys who are supposed to help Double Foreigners with transports, are very arrogant and try to present themselves as almighty, utilizing not kindness + hospitality but coerciveness and threats. I've got some story about that, will tell you some other time. I think our collective archives are full of stories. Some new students got so disappointed and disgusted by certain unacceptable behaviours of center niwassis there, that preferred not to go back to the BK ashrams ever again. But who cares about such losses? Fresh preys are always available: " Next, please!"

alladin ... you are amazing ... you cannot even stay 'on topic' on topics you start!?! Its all very interesting, especially as you can qualify it with specifics, but how does it relate to female emancipation? Are you suggesting women within the BKWSU are more vulnerable?

It kind of helps if we keep some kind of order around here. Plus, I think given the way the BKs are acting right now, if folks are going to make allegations they ought to be very clear and specific about them.

Well, sorry! My point was about the interaction between Indian Brothers and Sisters at centers, and what I witnessed in some centers where "landlords" seem to be well looked after by Sister servants. We are starting on the Forum to "demask" the progressist façade of this chauvinistic organisation and many posters are suggesting that behind the female saris there are powerful men involved pulling the strings.

After that, topic drifted because Brothers (it's all your fault, you pulled my hair first!! And now I get the blame ), started to post about general wrongdoings and mafia-like behaviours in New Delhi especially, and I can confirm that's been the norm. Whoever used to travel through New Delhi experienced increasing, in fact, pressure from Gopal Bhai.

Females more vulnerable to "offers they cannot refuse"? In most cases, probably it's true. Not only because India is a foreign country. Often women can be intimidated more easily, -we do not make good street fighters! The way roles are determined and played in India, are such that a commanding attitude is less likely to be adopted by a Indian br towards a Double Foreigner Brother, whereas women are to be kept "in their place" with the excuse that there are dangers all around, so you better do what we say and only go where you are told.

From that to overcharging you for a taxi service, the step is small. If you are independent and familiar to India, you are a pain in the neck. They canot milk you. Rather than being happy that you can look after yourself, to those Brothers you represent a challenge. It's up to our perception to distinguish a welcome and realistic "protective" manner from an "imposing" one dressed up as brotherly protection.

Personally, I appreciate it if someone looks after me a bit, but I cannot stand despotic + authoritaristic ways. True also that India has proved being more and more dangerous as far as sex crime is concerned. Its no longer a safe or attractive place for single women to travel.

Ah, definitely a bit difficult to refuse Gopal Bhai's "suggestions" about transports, shopping, etc ...!! I always did my thing, but these people do not like disobedience and independence.

One of my converts went on an all-day bus trip to Agra that Gopal recommended. She called it the 'worse experience in my entire life'. Then she went on to become rise high, I am sure will be one of the eight.

The job was/is a 'sinecure'. No duties at all. He was therefore free to devote himself to BK service. He lived in the Delhi center. Who else would have been Alladin's 'mafia guy'?

Unfortunately he had a hand in the taxi scam, I witnessed it.

Alladin, I hate to say this but even in London all the 'real/lokik' jobs are done by men.