Hello
again!
I’m back here and I honestly haven't gotten the right time and headspace to get
back to writing, but something kept nudging me to write about this tonight. And
so, here I am, with a cup of coffee at 11PM, penning down my piled-up thoughts.
Flesh trade masked under the veil of Devdasi system is an abhorrent and
shameful practice that is followed in our country. It is nothing but yet
another crime that is sanctioned under the name of religion and tradition.
Devdasi system is an age-old custom where in a young girl is married to a deity
even before she attains puberty. They were forbidden from a real marriage and
had to devote their life rendering service to gods. They were considered to be
the reincarnation of courtesans in Indra's court and the presence of a devdasi
in occasions was considered auspicious because she was considered to be a
nithya sumangali (a woman who is forever free from widowhood). But later
on, devdasi system became the reason for the existence of modern day
prostitution.
Devdasi system was abolished in the 1880s, thanks to the efforts of
Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy but it is still prevalent in various parts of India. Even
to this day, it is common in the Eastern part of india where in parents marry
off their daughters to deities to avoid giving dowry.
Factors like caste system, male domination and economic stress resulted in them
becoming prostitutes. Some devdasis are too young to even figure out what is
happening to them and nothing can be more painful than getting kicked out by
your own parents. They are not allowed to marry anybody else and are not
supposed to step foot out of the temple. In the morning, they spend their time
cleaning the temple and sanctum, decorating the shrines, dancing, singing and
pleading to gods to put an end to their never-ending sufferings. During the
nights, they are forced to transform into prostitutes to quench the thirst of
priests, upper caste and high profile men. The daughter of a devdasi becomes a
devdasi again and the tradition keeps going on and on. They face
discrimination on the basis of caste, suffer from poverty, mental trauma and
even become victims of HIV.
Women caught in this system are deprived of basic freedom and opportunities,
enduring significant social stigma and economic instability. If only there is a
way to eradicate this practice in regions where it is still prevalent and
support these women in reclaiming their rights and dignity :)
She was forced into flesh trade,
Her innocence stolen,
Dreams betrayed,
Wanted the practice to be slayed,
But found her hopes fade,
For the ones who preyed,
Never let it bade.
