Assamese believe that if the Goddess can be impure then why not human beings! Hence, when girls of Assamese families reach puberty start with their menstruation for the first time, they are considered to be impure. During that time, they have strict restrictions on what they eat, where they sleep, whom they meet, etc. They are normally asked to stay secluded in darkness so that the impurity does not spread. Looking at the moon, sun, stars and even cows is considered a bad omen.

The girl is considered impure only for the days when she is undergoing her menstrual cycle, but once she gets out of it she is allowed to live her normal life again. Everyone comes together to celebrate the attainment of her womanhood. She is taken out of her secluded room and made to bathe in front of the ladies of the house. Thereafter she undergoes a puja where she is deemed to be married to a banana plant near her bathing area.

In this ceremony the child has zero knowledge about what is happening with her the entire time. This rituals misinterpret some hormonal changes as impurities which is totally unacceptable. This is a child we are taking about, how can a child be impure of anything. In a country where we talk about  Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (बेटी बचाओ बेटी पढ़ाओ) and yet still cage and chain her at such a young age. Think about what would go through her mind when she is told that she is impure just because she is bleeding and restrict her from meeting anyone for many days. It will reduce her self-confidence whenever he bleeding circle begins.

She is a child let her run and play.

We need to acknowledge the problems in our culture and together we can change them.