Religion’s Role in Indian Prostitution
In addition to the ways that poverty directs hundreds of thousands of
Indian women to prostitution, there are also various religious forces at
play. These religious aspects of the commercial sex trade frequently
overlap with the basic survival needs created by poverty and its
constraints; but it is in this dimension that Indian prostitution is
distinctly different from prostitution in the West. Indian women, whose
poverty seems to leave them no alternative other than to sell their
bodies, understand, in accordance with their Hindu faith, that their
fate has been determined by forces greater than themselves. In response,
the women commit themselves to prostitution as a religious appeasement
of those forces.
The most traditional, systemic role religion plays in prostitution is
through the Devdasi system.24 Candidates for the system are usually
poor, illiterate rural citizens. In the temple, they take a vow of
prostitution and may initially engage in sexual relations with a
“priest” in religious practices. They receive a tattoo on their
foreheads, above the red bindi. The red bindi usually denotes marriage
in Indian culture, but in combination with the tattoo, it symbolizes one
who is sexually committed to religion. In addition, the prostitutes put
on a wooden
necklace as a symbol of their commitment. The necklace is never to be
removed. The compounded symbols are intended to permanently mark one as
a devdasi regardless of her dress, location, or demeanor. The
goddess to whom these prostitutes are committed is called Yellaamma.
In an annual fair held during a designated month, the initiation of
candidates is formally recognized. Men come to the fair to observe who
is being initiated. Subsequent to their observation, many men choose a
devdasi. Even married men come to take a woman; it is, after all, an
element of religious practice.
Usually, the man lives with the devdasi for a short period of time. When
the man selects another devdasi or feels that his current religious mate
is no longer suitable, he simply leaves her without responsibility or
obligation. Because of his use, the woman is now considered less
attractive and is subsequently chosen by less influential, less
attractive, or even less respectable men. This cyclical dependency
continues indefinitely, for while her patrons have no commitment to her,
she is committed to being a sexual object. At 23 or 24 years of age, a
devdasi is usually the mother of 6-7 children, each the result of a
relationship
with a different man. She is a relatively unattractive prospect and the
community is not pleased with the presence of a large, unsupported
family. She may be able to take up residence in a brothel in order to
provide some level of self-support. Because she belongs to the goddess
Yellaamma, her fatherless offspring do so as well. While there is a
ceremonial religious event in which she dedicates her children into
prostitution in service to the goddess, it is already a culturally
implicit fact. The children of a devdasi have to continue as part of the
devdasi system. There are no personal options.
Prostitution in India is largely a Hindu industry. When asked who
patronized the prostitutes, “Pandit,” a young man interviewed by the IJM
who works as an agent or promoter of prostitutes, made it very
clear that Muslims and Christians were not customers. Specifically in
reference to Muslims he said, “They may have three or four wives, but
they won’t buy drugs from me or come near a prostitute.” It is not
uncommon, however, for tourists, including Americans, to patronize
thewomen.
The Hindu worldview is one that encourages tolerance. Those whose
economic situation seems to leave them no alternative except
prostitution learn to tolerate their plight. The hope of reincarnation
discourages them from challenging their circumstances. They hold that by
doing the best that they can within their assigned station in life, they
will be rewarded with higher social status in the next life. If, on the
other hand, they rebel, they will destine themselves to worse
circumstances the next time around.
www.ijm.org/India.htm#prostitution
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