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THE IDEAL OF INDIAN WOMANHOOD
been morc cnslaved under this system than the Indian women? Among the most vocal exponents of the women's movement are scarcely to be found the representatives of those who have suficred the worst and endure the most. Were these women to speak out, indian society would be faced with a problemr far more cminous than the alarmists could imagine.”
If the legend about the exalted position i woman in Hindu socicty had any foundation ! fact, there would be no cause for ihis crisis. Why should wonen rebel, if they had really enjoyed the respect and companionship olmc? Lest the akove voice of a courageous pioneer be dismissed as the ranting of a blind fanatic, I shall cite the opinion of one who cannot be accused of running down Indian culture wantonly.
In his farewell address to the students of the Andhra University, in March 1936, Sir S. Radhakrishnan pronounced the following severe judg. mncnt. "Rcligious bigotry, which treats millions of our countrymen in a senseless and inhuman way, and imposes intolerable disabilities and inconvenicnces on the womanhood of the country, is a standing danger. It is corruption of the spirit. Those who impose such disabilities on other human beings are themselves victims of ignorance and superstition."
But what should we think when we find national leaders defending those disabilities, and
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