Religion: inhuman and bestial
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Women covering their faces with burkas – is this rational? You know burkas have but tiny holes to see through, and women have to walk along the path peeping through these holes. This is inhuman and bestial. No civilized society, civilized country or civilized person should accept this kind of decree. These are naked dogmas.” (1)
In His above teaching, Baba is talking about scenes like the one portrayed in the below photo. Many may not understand what is meant by a veil. But here you can see what a veil really is. The entire head is covered - as is the rest of their body - and if you look carefully you will notice a small screen in front of the eyes. This allows them to see in a very contrived and limited manner. The field of vision is just barely enough to walk and move around. But nobody can see from the outside in.
The worst thing is that this rule of wearing a veil is mostly imposed in the Middle East amidst searing temperatures in the hot desert sun. Plus it is used in parts of Africa, where Islamic rule was forced by the sword. These are hot climate areas and that makes it more terrible. To cover the body from head to toe in such extreme heat is nothing but hell in the name of religion.
Those wearing such veils were indoctrinated into this lifestyle since their birth. So they become habituated with it and some do not even want to leave this dogma.
The above scene is a gathering of females where they are not allowed to show their face. Seeing this inhumane condition, Sadguru Baba is graphically opposing this dogma.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 15, Buddha o Aśt́áḿga Márga”
