Why widows are not allowed to eat meat, fish, daal etc.?

Throughout the world history, across all the civilisations, examples galore can be found which testify to the crushing pressure of the patriarchal society and women being victimised to satisfy the male-dominated world. It is supposed that goodness of the society rests on the shoulders of women—not of men. Men are excused, whereas women are victimised on the same ground. No religion and no civilisation are an exception. Women can be branded as witches and can be sold as sex-slaves.

It is very sad that our glorious civilisation also did not lag behind in women victimisation and even continued one dreadful practice of burning a living woman with her dead husband. This inhuman practice is known as Sati system.

Even after the practice was abolished. Widows had to maintain a sorry life standard to satisfy the dictates of the society. After their husband was dead, the widows were considered living ‘Sati’. They had to live a life of restraint. They had to lead a life of Brahmacharya (celibate lifestyle). Even the slightest thought which was sexual in nature was considered a sin for them. As husbands were considered sole motive of their existence, women were denied and debarred from all the pleasures of life. The widows were continuously under the scrutiny of the society.

Society decided everything from what the widows should wear, what they should eat and even with whom they should talk. The women were denied certain food items like meat, fish and dal even though were rich in protein and necessary for the body. The prohibited food list explains why most of the widows suffered from malnutrition. However, it is not that these foods were prohibited in the past. Even today, widows are asked not eat fish, meat, dal, etc. due to the same reasons that the widows should remain committed to their husbands even after their death, that they should preserve heir chastity, that should follow strict disciplines in life.

Meat: –

Meat is considered a hot food with a propensity to arouse sexual desires. Thus, women are advised not to eat meat. However, meat was forbidden in the past for all due to the same reasons. But the food and nutrition value of meat can never be denied.

Fish: –

Like meat fish is also considered a non-eatable item for the widows. Fish is considered as forbidden as meat. Widows are considered to maintain a pious existence. Therefore, any food that heats up the body and drives the widow to immoral acts are forbidden. Fish, after meat, comes in the forbidden food list.

Various Pulses: –

Another important source of protein is also removed because of the same fear. Her pious existence is a matter of grave concern to the entire family and society at large. Most of the pulses which are important for the growth of a healthy body are denied to be consumed by the widows.

However, with the advancement of society, these restrictions are bound to fail. Most of the customs of the patriarchal society were imposed upon the women to deprive them from their rights to property. In fact, if analysed correctly it can be found that the ‘Sati’ system encouraged the burning of the living wife on the pyre of the dead husband, so that the wife could not have any rights to their husband’s property and the other members of the family could enjoy the privileges of the dead man’s property. Similar may be the hidden cause of not allowing the women healthy and nutritious food so that they would suffer from malnutrition, become weak and later on die leaving their husband’s property without any claim and thus facilitating the smooth privileges of the other members of the in-law’s family. So as the society has advanced too far and the shackles of patriarchy are loosening fast, it is time to ensure for the govt. as well as for the people that women are given equal rights, opportunities, and respect even after their husband are gone. In this regard healthy and nutritious food for the widows are necessary, more so when they are aged, weak and suffering.