Why are We Fighting the Restriction of going to Temple during Periods

I am an atheist. So, why am I saying that women shouldn't be prohibited from going to temples? You may think that I am hypocritical. You may say that I'm a pseudofeminist. You may say that I disregard the 'science' behind menstruating women affecting the god statues in the temple.

I am neither (and of course the negative, positive energy, impurity and purity shit are pseudoscience). Nor I am saying that it's only during menstruation women get religious and just want to go to temple and pray.

It's because we women don't want to feel guilty, confused, fearful and mostly filthy due to a biological process we can't control. 

There were so many times that I had gone to the puja (prayers) room forgetfully to pray when I was menstruating and agonising about it later. It's because I was told that it's sin to do that and god will punish me. I was a child - 11 and 12 years of age and I have had sleepless nights thinking of the punishment god will mete on me. When I scored lower than usual marks in my tests and exams, I attributed it to the 'sin' I committed. I am telling you, I didn't deserve such a haunting thought. No child does.

And then the duration of being 'unclean' hence not going to temple/entering puja room. My mom set it at one week, take head bath and become 'clean again' and can enter the puja room. But, I have bled on for 10 days in some months and stopped bleeding at 3 days in others. It was very confusing. I have been sternly admonished by the elderly ladies of my family for not following the one week rule. I now know it's bullshit. Only you know when your period blood drains out completely. And, you should be able to go wherever you want, anytime you want. And, take head bath whenever you want.

I was told that I am toxic to newborn babies when I menstruate. And, I believed it. Once, my newborn nephew cried, when my sister, his mother was bathing and his grandmother, not at home. I was so torn - I agonised whether to carry him and comfort him and risk harming him due to me menstruating or leave him bawl his eyes out. I cried coz I didn't know what to do. I am unable to get over this one. I still don't go near or touch babies when I menstruate coz my nature is such that I am careful to not harm anyone, period or not.

My relative had the Lord Ganesha statue drinking milk and we went to see it. I was made to stay outside the house because I was on my period. I felt like an eschewed leper. I was 12. I know now that the phenomenon of 'miracle milk drinking' is due to the capillary effect. Yet, the incident scarred me.

Many women say that their stomach is upset when they are having menstrual cramps. Why is lying more virtuous than being frank about a biological function? Even if they tell the truth, it’s done with head hung, voice small, like they’ve committed a crime. It’s like being a woman is a crime.

So, you think us women deserve all these mental burdens? You think that this is fair? You think your god approves all of this? If you say yes, you are a sadist, not a human. 

I say a woman can do whatever she wants and go wherever she likes when she's menstruating. It’s us women wanting to feel like an equal human as men and not feel like some kind of filthy, wretched, cursed, disease bourne creatures because of something we can’t control, be it at home or anywhere. And, that's why menstruating women should be able to go to temples. Your sacred beliefs are not worth more than the peace of mind of humans and women are humans.

I'm sure my experiences are shared by many other Indian women. That's why it's important to talk about this and end the shame and stigma.