The failure to reform the family system after the socio-cultural renaissance of the early 20th century in Kerala is one of the reasons for the large turnout of women in the ongoing protests, seeking conservation of customs at the Sabarimala temple, social activist M.J. Sreechithran has said.
In a talk on ‘Secularism and Kerala’s renaissance’ organised by Secular Collective, a forum for upholding secular values, here on Friday, Mr. Sreechithran said the family system in Kerala had remained largely patriarchal and male-centric despite the renaissance process.
However, the womenfolk was so used to being part of it that they do not realise it was restricting their freedom. That was why they were claiming the Sabarimala issue had nothing to do with women’s freedom and women in Kerala do not face any inequality, he added.