Gujarat Swami Says “If Menstruating Women Cook Food for Husband, She will Take Birth as ‘Kutri’ (Bitch)”

Ahmedabad, February 18, 2020:

Days after a Gujarat-based Women’s College made headlines for compelling students for a check if they were menstruating, another misogynistic statement has surfaced.

One Swami Krushnaswarup Dasji of Swaminarayan Bhuj Mandir said that if a person eats food prepared by a menstruating woman, s/he would take birth as an ox in their next life. The Swami went on to add another bizarre statement by saying that if a menstruating woman cooks food for her husband, she will take rebirth as a “kutri” (bitch).

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At a time when the Supreme Court has ordered for a permanent commission for women officers in Indian Army and the girls are walking along with boys in different walks of life, Swami’s statements have sent shockwaves across the country.

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Reacting to the statement, Dev Desai, a social activist from Gujarat, said, “I can only say that the Gujarat model has been exposed with statements like these. The Swami said such things only to mesmerize the religious people. This is exactly how a patriarchal society gains the grip. They keep cornering women in the mane of religion. The game of past and new life is even dangerous. Nobody know what had happened and what is going to happen.”

“These statements made towards women are absolutely wrong. The incident of Bhuj was even worse. The government should take strict action against these Gurus for their unconstitutional statements,” added another social activist, Sushila from Ahmedabad. She said that it is a shame that incidents like the Bhuj and many others have cropped up in the recent days. The government should take strict action against these Gurus, she demanded.

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