Feminism Fails India's Women

India's intellectual left has long championed the cause of gender justice, yet its selective approach to patriarchy raises serious questions. While "Brahmanical patriarchy" is frequently attacked in media and academia, Islamic and Christian patriarchal structures remain largely ignored. This biased narrative reflects a deeper political agenda rather than genuine concern for women's rights.

Deconstructing the Myth of Brahmanical Patriarchy's Exclusivity

The concept of "Brahmanical patriarchy" has been popularized by certain feminist scholars who argue that Brahmins institutionalized gender oppression through religious and social structures. However, this narrative overlooks the fact that patriarchal norms are pervasive across all Indian communities, including Dalits, OBCs, Muslims, and Christians.

A 2015 Pew Research Center study found that traditional gender roles persist among 99% of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian women in India, dispelling the myth that patriarchy is a uniquely Brahminical construct.

Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) (2019-21) further reveals that domestic violence rates are higher among Scheduled Castes (32%) and Muslims (31.7%) than among upper-caste Hindus (25%). If Brahmanism were the main driver of patriarchy, why do non-Brahmin communities exhibit similar or higher levels of gender oppression?

Islamic Patriarchy: The Untouched Subject

Despite clear evidence of entrenched misogyny within Islamic traditions, India's left-leaning voices largely steer clear of addressing it. The practice of triple talaq, which allowed men to unilaterally divorce their wives instantly, was only abolished in 2019 after intense opposition from conservative clerics and certain leftist factions who framed the move as an attack on religious rights rather than a step towards gender equality.

A 2016 survey by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) revealed that 92% of Muslim women in India wanted a ban on triple talaq, polygamy, and halala. Yet leftist academics and activists resisted legal interventions, arguing that reforms within minority communities should be left to their own leadership.

Meanwhile, the Sachar Committee Report (2006) found that only 2.77% of Muslim women had access to higher education, a statistic largely ignored by the same groups that routinely criticize Brahmanical patriarchy.

Christian Misogyny: The Silent Epidemic

The Catholic Church in India has a long history of reinforcing gender restrictions, particularly in states where it wields significant influence. The Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala enforces rigid marriage customs that limit female autonomy, while widespread sexual abuse cases by priests have been systematically covered up.

A 2018 case exposed this institutionalized misogyny when a nun accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of repeated sexual assault over two years. While the case gained public attention, major feminist groups failed to mobilize significant protests. The slow judicial response further underscored the political and legal immunity enjoyed by Church authorities.

Meanwhile, a 2021 Pew survey found that Christian women in India experience restrictions on interfaith marriage and personal freedoms, yet such issues rarely feature in left-wing feminist discourse, which remains preoccupied with dismantling Hindu social structures.

Why the Left Ignores Non-Hindu Patriarchy

The reluctance to address gender oppression within Islamic and Christian communities stems from several key factors:

• Vote Bank Politics: The left relies on minority vote blocs, particularly Muslims and Christians, and avoids topics that might alienate these groups.
• Fear of Repercussions: Criticizing Islamic or Christian gender norms often leads to accusations of communalism, discouraging open discussion.
• Anti-Hindu Narrative: Many leftist intellectuals derive their influence from critiquing Hindu traditions, particularly Brahmanism, while ignoring equally oppressive structures elsewhere.

A Balanced Approach to Gender Justice

Unlike the selective activism of the left, a genuinely universal approach to feminism should hold all patriarchal structures accountable, irrespective of religious or social affiliations.

Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which have increased the female literacy rate from 65.46% (2011 Census) to 71.5% (NFHS-5, 2021), represent a more inclusive strategy for women's empowerment. Similarly, the abolition of triple talaq was a crucial milestone for Muslim women's rights, despite resistance from certain ideological factions.

True gender justice demands an objective, fact-based critique of all patriarchal systems—whether rooted in Hindu, Muslim, or Christian traditions. The reluctance of the left to address non-Hindu patriarchy undermines the very movement it claims to represent. Moving forward, India must reject one-sided feminist discourse in favor of a broader, more equitable approach that prioritizes women's rights over political correctness.