Domestic violence from any gender in marriage is wrong, cruel and criminal, not only in the eyes of the law in most of the western world but also from the humanity point of view. We, as humans evolve and that evolution from the within is to " feel no enmity, to see no one as stranger".
No one has the right to beat the spouse or the kids to teach/prove the point. It is inhumane.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/business-and-lifestyle/22488-kaur-power.html
Even the Bible, the religion adopted by the majority, condones child abuse and ill treatment of women and women always took back stage in the world's religions including Islam till the vision that Guru Nanak shared with us.
Domestic violence which also goes along with child abuse is not uncommon in India or any other patriarchal society where men have the upper hand literally and metaphorically speaking in this case. Female infanticide is the ends to the means of domestic abuse when women are abused by their husbands and their in-laws.
This tribal mentality is abhorrent to say the least no matter how many nitnems, sehaj paaths, akhand paaths we do.
There are many Namratas in India and outside India hiding in the closets too afraid and ashamed to share this daily torture along with their children when the spouse/father shows up, most of the time drunk. Many who do not drink also practice this same barbarity.
Local Gurdwaras in the diaspora rather than spending money on golden domes and other futile stuff should open shelters for this kind of abuse.
After all isn't this the meaning of the tall Nishan Sahib at every Gurdwara to invite those in who are in need?
This need is more urgent now than ever.
Narayanjot ji, thanks for bringing this in light by posting the news. We at SPN should open a section which should be only accessed by the mentors, leaders and the administrators where the abused can share their stories without the fear of repercussions and we can help them in some way or form with the help of SALDEF, Sikh Coalition and United Sikhs.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22488
I am sure it can be done. Let's spread the world out and take this step to stop this domestic abuse because Sikhi demands this from us.
Tejwant Singh