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RVC: Why the Discrimination?
By Palika Dasi

Dear Danavir Gosvami,

I’d just like to comment on your article "Give Your Son the Highest Education." As soon as I saw the title I almost cried. For my whole life I’ve wanted to study at a Vaishnava gurukula but due to the gender bias present within ISKCON was forced to attend regular school.

Now, at the age of 18 and planning on going to university next year, seeing that the male youth have the opportunity to get a Vaishnava degree but that the matajis are sadly overlooked makes me really angry. I find this very disappointing due to the fact that ISKCON is actually losing out on the respect of the female youth as well as their services. It’s time that the leaders understood that spiritual intelligence is based not on the body but on the devotion of the practitioner.

On saying that, I do understand that some of the courses you offer are available for women in Vrindavana, yet an important aspect that needs to be taken into consideration is that Rupanuga Vedic College is far more professional and accredited in nature. In this modern age, that is important for ISKCON youth who intend to work and support a family. I hope that you will take this into consideration and give every devotee the opportunity to make his or her life perfect.

Thank you for thinking of the "future of ISKCON" and giving us encouragement to take Krsna Consciousness seriously.

Your servant,
Palika Dasi.