Acharya Tulsi
Individuals are of two types—progressive and conservative. Not that progressive people are necessarily destroyers of traditions. They do not believe in interfering with traditions; and restrictions and taboos that do not obstruct their progress. But meaningless obstruction becomes intolerable for them. That is why they establish some new traditions from time to time. If this is not done, the society in question is caught in the grip of inertia and also becomes irrelevant.
The traditional people are startled at the very name of change. They do not believe in doing away with the patterns that are already set. Nor do they have sufficient courage to set new patterns. The matter does not end just here. They are not even willing to accept or tolerate any changes brought about by other people. The latest example is the widespread opposition of allowing a woman to occupy the position of a priest in the Church of England.
There has been a controversy raging over many years in the Christian society about giving the right to a woman to become a priest. Why only in the Christian society, in any male dominated society such issues become subjects of controversy. What is surprising is the facts in a country like Britain, whose people claim to be progressive in intellectual matters, are so orthodox in the matters concerning women. That is why there were processions and demonstration to protest against the woman priest, who had won, if only by a few votes.
The entry by woman in the positions monopolised by men for centuries can become intolerable for men. But what can be more tragic than the fact of women themselves are creating obstructions in women's progress? It has been said that an organisation has been set up by the woman of Britain to protest against granting women the right to become priest. The demonstration by the organisation has been very powerful. This is such a proof of exploitation of women by women, which would raise doubts about their understanding for several ages. It is possible in a country like India to take a normal view of such an event although religious blind faith and traditional beliefs are more deep-rooted here. But it is a matter of surprise that such events take place in a country leading in the race of progress are creating waves in the Church traditions all over the world.
I do agree that there are temperamental differences between man and woman. But that does not mean women are not competent in any way. Women have their own abilities and men have their own abilities. Instead of raising controversy over the question of giving men and women equality and the same rights, if they are given freedom to develop and use their own abilities, any situation of confrontation would not arise at all. But it seems the lapwing of some kind of inexplicable fear is flapping wings in the minds of men. They must be thinking that there would be havoc, if women did not remain in check. But the same thinking can be applied in the case of men too.
Hence, by dispelling such illusions about each other, if we think in terms of being partners in the journey towards progress, the results can be good. The Anglican Church has made applicable to hundreds of churches the right of women priests, which was so far confined to eleven churches. If women are able to carry out their responsibility in keeping with the dignity of their position, the storm raging against them would subside on its own. We can only wait for the consequences of what has happened in Britain. For the present, it is sufficient to believe that the revolutionary change in the tradition of thousands of years deserves to be noted.
