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THE IDEAL OF INDIAN WOMANHOOD
What is the sense of giving a pledge which docs not bind ?
For all practical purposes, Hindluisir, prohibits divorce only in the case of women ; it grants men all its benefits. When the marriage bond does not bi!d him t ibig: r.! des not require the right of me. Th Frilu li jrror for divorce is based on the principle that women naturally are not entitled to thic frecdom of se:x-relation enjoyed by men to the extent of down-right licentiousness, with the sanction of religion. That is not :: very moral principle. In fact, there is no morality in it at all. The underlying idea is of prorietorship. The woman is a part of man's worldly possessions. She is a field for him to cultivate. She is naturally destined to bear himn children, just as his land bears him fruit. A man is entitled to own as many plots of land as he can afford to. Similarly, he can possess more than onc wife. But it is unnatural for his wife to dispute his right of proprictorship, even to pass on to the possession of another man. Whoever has cver heard of a plot of land or any other piece of property claiming the right of choosing its owner? It is natural for a piece of property to be owned, and for the owner to add to his possession. Therefore, it is also “natural” for women to live in indissoluble wedlock, while the lord and master is free to add to his possession.
But the freedom of sex-relation on the part of
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