Is menstruating a sin? A crime? Or a divine punishment in traditional countries?
In December 2010, Indian actress, Jayamala was investigated by the Crimes Branch of the police, on order of the Kerala state government in India, and then officially charged with violating Indian law.
Her crime, it seems, is to belong to a gender that menstruates!
She was charged under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code for “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feeling of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.”
What was Jayamala’s “deliberate and malicious” act?
Her crime was she visited a certain temple, about 23 years ago, when she 18 years old, because she wanted to worship there.
And why did this simple act of devotion “outrage” some people? Why was it so “insulting” to them?
Because this particular temple, like many others in India has an old rule. No female who is menstruating can enter the temple. Menstruating girls and women in…
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