Karwa Chauth is a festival that is celebrated by Hindu married women, predominantly in North and Western India. From sunrise to moonrise, they fast and pray for the long lives of their husbands. Throughout the years there have been many arguments criticizing the practice, claiming that there is no scientific evidence that the ritual helps to elongate the lives of married men.
A few celebrities in the past have spoken out against the practice, calling it “regressive” – actor Ratna Pathak Shah being one of them.
Now, Rajasthan minister Govind Ram Meghwal’s comment about Karwa Chauth has sparked a debate online.
The Hindustan Times quoted him saying:
“Women in China and the US are living in the world of science, but it is unfortunate that even today, women here on Karwa Chauth see through a sieve, talk about the long life of their husbands. But a husband never sees a sieve for the long life of his wife.”
Here’s a video capturing the incident:
Govind Ram Meghwal, a minister for Rajasthan stating, it is unfortunate that Indian women still pray for their husbands' long lives on Karwa Chauth and see the moon through a sieve while those in industrialised nations live in the age of science.
— Pranjal Mishra 🇮🇳 (@PranjalmishraIN) August 21, 2022
However, several people online begged to differ. Many slammed the minister for his gross generalization and highlighted how women in our country are far ahead in terms of education and are more progressive than he claims they are.
Firstly, India produces more women in STEM than USA & China. Secondly, pls have a look at places like ISRO, IISc B’lore…to see the amount of women involved in science. Thirdly, few husbands do keep karvachauth as well. Also,you are slaved to the west just like U r to Congress.
— Avnish (@AvnishR30) August 20, 2022
Why don’t you start with your own house? Set the trend. 👍
— 🇮🇳AK🇮🇳 (@akhaware) August 21, 2022
Earlier only men used to go to wars so their wives used to pray to god for their long lives..but these rituals are still observed today as it strengthens the bond between husband and wife. Noone is forcing women in India to observe fasts if you go & ask them they do it by choice
— Deepak Chhimpa 🇮🇳 (@DCfrmJPR) August 21, 2022
It’s our culture and that is their culture. Why should we change our mindset? In our country, there are several examples of women who achieved far better than them following our culture.
— Manoranjan Bag (@bag_manoranjan) August 21, 2022
Tum china gaye ho ? Unki women ki halat pata hai ? Do not compare what u can’t understand. Culture follow karna force karna nahi hota, Indian women know & Do what they want/wish.
— Simran Bhatia (@SimranBhatia0) August 22, 2022
Look at the divorce ratio in that country. And #Indian women’s are also flying Rafale, the same woman who does karva chauth also wins medals, works in ISRO N DRDO.
— Manish Jha (@manishj449) August 21, 2022
What are your views on this issue?
Cover image: source.
