Subject: Indian Society

The interplay between customs, traditions, and rational thinking has been a subject of intense debate in modern India, where age-old practices often clash with scientific temperament and reason.

Customs and Traditions Leading to Obscurantism

• Honor Killings: According to NCRB data, India reported 33 cases in 2021, an increase from 25 cases in 2019-20, highlighting how traditional notions of family honor suppress individual autonomy and rational choice.

• Gender Discrimination: Traditional patriarchal norms often manifest in discriminatory practices:

  • Restrictions on women's education and mobility.
  • Dowry system perpetuating economic burden on families.
  • Religious practices promoting gender-based segregation.

• Social Hierarchy:

  • Caste-based discrimination persisting despite constitutional safeguards.
  • Traditional occupational boundaries limiting social mobility.
  • Untouchability practices continuing in subtle forms.

Progressive Changes and Reform Movements

• Legal Reforms:

  • Supreme Court's 2023 judgments challenging patriarchal thinking in death penalty cases.
  • Recognition of 'irreconcilable differences' as grounds for divorce.
  • 2022 ruling granting equal abortion rights to unmarried women.

• Government Initiatives:

  • Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao promoting girls' education.
  • Women Entrepreneurship Platform by NITI Aayog encouraging economic independence.
  • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan ensuring universal education.

Balancing Tradition and Modernity

• Cultural Preservation:

  • Traditional knowledge systems in medicine (Ayurveda).
  • Environmental conservation practices.
  • Art forms and cultural heritage.

• Scientific Approach:

  • Integration of modern scientific methods with traditional practices.
  • Evidence-based validation of cultural practices.
  • Critical examination of superstitions.

While certain customs and traditions can indeed lead to obscurantism by suppressing rational thinking, the solution lies in striking a balance between preserving valuable cultural heritage and promoting scientific temper. The way forward involves critical evaluation of traditions through the lens of reason, equality, and human dignity, as exemplified by recent Supreme Court judgments and progressive legislation.