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Unfair: Priyal Bagricha, a Jain, who took Bal Diksha when she was eight years old. |
Child abuse
I was pained when an 11-year-old girl in my locality recently accepted Diksha. This means she had to leave all worldly pleasures to live the life of a sanyasi. To me, this is actually child abuse.
Strong influence
If our law doesn't allow women to marry before the age of 18 and men before they turn 21, how can a child at such tender age decide about his/her entire life? Where are the Indian lawmakers?
I am surprised that a childs parents and relatives can influence kids' minds so much that they accept penance as a way of life.
The maharajs and satis, (male and female gurus) who accept a child into the world of penance should be ashamed of themselves.
If these so-called gurus cannot understand the fragility of a child's physical and mental being, how can they ever teach the world the way of life?
It's criminal
It's a crime to allow a child to take Diksha. The government should make sincere efforts to remove such religious menace from our society.
It reminds me of the days when our freedom fighters fought evil social practices like Sati and child marriage.
No religion is bigger than someone's life. I think it is high time that the law of the country takes strict action against such cruel acts in the name of religion.
