The Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya Wednesday was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and governor Anandiben Patel. Besides being the only woman on the stage, Patel was also the only Shudra present at the ceremony. Among the priests who performed the bhoomi pujan ritual, there was not a single Shudra — not even from Yadav, Jat, or Kurmi communities of UP, let alone from one of the Other Backward Classes and Dalits.
We can only predict this, since we do not know the name of all the priests who participated in the ritual — but Shudras, historically and even now, have not been given a spiritual right to Hinduism or trained in Hindu theological schools and colleges.
The construction of this upcoming Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would not have been possible, and the RSS-BJP would not have achieved their goal, if not for the participation of Shudras in Babri-Masjid demolition in 1992 and the subsequent BJP government formation in 1999, 2014 and 2019. It is Shudras and Dalits who are engaged in food production work in these hard Covid-19 times for the survival of all, including the temple system, but their work is not accepted as spiritually respectful and hence they do not get the right priesthood, even though they are considered as Hindus. This discrimination is purely due to caste. Around Ayodhya and elsewhere in UP, even the temple maintenance, food and resources come from the labour of Shudras and Dalits. The RSS-BJP defines all of them as Hindus. But they do not have the spiritual right to become a priest at the Ram Mandir and study in Sanskrit gurukuls even in the 21st century.
Ramayana, too, mentions the Varna dharma theory and lists the four caste categories — Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Ram himself is known as a Kshatriya king; his guru Vasishtha as a Brahmin.
We do not know what the status of the Vaishyas was during the time of Ramayana. Most probably, they would have been cattle owners and grazers, while Shudras were ‘slaves’ assigned different tasks of production and were in service of the Dwija castes. At the time, there was no notion of one religion called Hinduism under which all four caste groups were clubbed together.
Even if we leave aside all other historical issues and opinions of modern writers, the RSS-BJP consider Hinduism as one religion, which includes all Shudras and Dalits. But what about their spiritual rights? If Ram belongs to all and if we have to fulfil, as PM Modi said, the dream of Mohandas Gandhi to bring about a so-called “Ram Rajya” in India, the inclusion of Shudras and Dalits is a must. When they were defined as Hindu and mobilised into what they called the ‘Ram temple movement’, caste-based assignment of duties in temples should have been abolished too, at least theoretically.
Also read: A Dalit laid first brick for Ram Mandir. Now, Modi must appoint a Dalit woman as its priest
Denial of spiritual inclusion
Did the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ask for this spiritual inclusiveness? PM Modi, in his bhoomi pujan speech, said Ram was a believer in total equality and can be a source of modern development. His re-interpretation of Ram as a divine force and developmentalist is positive. In fact, Modi said Ram accepts both man and woman as equal. This argument goes against the theory of respecting parampara (tradition) that RSS ideologues have been propounding ever since the organisation was founded in 1925. The RSS has never talked about gender and caste equality.
But the RSS-BJP aren’t the only ones to be blamed. The Congress intellectuals, too, never allowed a discourse around equal spiritual rights on the pretext that they believe in secularism and hence do not go into religious affairs and that such issues must be left to the religious organisations. They, therefore, did not do anything to abolish caste in Hinduism and also in civil society when they were in power.
The Communist intellectuals also do not raise such questions under a false theory that they do not believe in religion, and believe in atheism. This again is a false argument to wash hands off the issues of caste and religious inequality since both West Bengal and Kerala, where they were in power for a long time, saw many of their leaders and cadres actively participate in Hindu religious activities. They have shut their eyes to the two major issues of India — caste and religion.
Also read: Large number of Dalit-OBC on Kanwar Yatra isn’t a sign of Hinduism’s inclusivity. Here’s why
Denial of English education
These questions are passed off in the intellectual and party organisations because the national-level discourse is conducted by people largely belonging to five communities — Brahmin, Bania, Kshatriya, Kayastha and Khatri.
Earlier, there was a strong Sanskrit-educated force among these five communities but now there is a far more English-educated intellectual force among them. The vernacular voice in national and mainstream media on the topic of religion is largely invisible. Unless the debate is intensified at the national level, every ruling party, including the BJP, can take the Shudras and Dalits for granted.
Another problem is the absence of English-speaking intellectuals from Shudra communities, including Jats, Yadavs, Gujjars, Patels, even though there are a number of regional political leaders who want to manage votes and rule their states. They do not have a transformative philosophical and ideological agenda. This is a major deterrent because they are unable to impress or cater to the urban, English-speaking audience.
The RSS-BJP raise the issue of inequalities within Muslim society, particularly gender inequality, on all platforms. But Muslim intellectuals lack this courage to raise caste and other inequalities inherent in Hinduism.
Shudras today do not have the intellectual power because they have been historically denied education, which Brahmins and other Dwija castes held as their prerogative. They also did not acquire literary status when Persian and Urdu were dominant languages. They were kept engaged in production and services, and continue to be a resigned force when it comes to becoming modern intellectuals. They obeyed the priestly Brahmins earlier and now follow whatever RSS-BJP tell them today without asking for equal rights. This is a tragic status of a major productive community, which feeds the nation with its labour power.
Also read: Dalits have a special place in the new Hindutva matrix. Ram Mandir is proof of that
Ram Mandir and equality
Ram Mandir is different from other Hindu temples. It is a temple that is being projected as historical and there is talk that it will become more significant than the Vatican of Rome and the Mecca of Saudi Arabia. According to Home Minister Amit Shah, the bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya is the start of “a new yuga (era)” in 2020.
PM Modi has said that the figure of Ram at the upcoming Mandir will reflect justice more than any other divine figure in the world. If that is what this temple stands for, what about abolishing caste and gender inequalities in the spiritual and religious system that Ram represents? Why is there a total silence on caste inequality, particularly the representation of Shudra in the core team of priests who work at temples? It is the priests who decide what shloka should be recited and what etiquette should be followed inside the temple premises. Priesthood is an important position within religion and for attaining the status of spiritual command.
Will the RSS-BJP assure Shudras and Dalits that there will be Hindu theological school and college in Ayodhya where admission will not be based on caste but religious background alone?
The problem is that the mainstream media in India won’t allow this debate. The fact that most media organisations are run by members of mainly Dwija castes makes it all the more difficult for such a debate. They are also confident that there will not be a movement in India like #Shudra/DalitLivesMatter along the lines of #BlackLivesMatter.
To conduct a major movement peacefully at the national level, the Shudra/Dalit communities need a large number of highly modern, English-educated intellectuals who can take their space in today’s media. But where will they come from?
The author is a political theorist, social activist and author. Views are personal.
An attemp to further divide Hindus on caste lines, which may not and should not succeed in the present circumstances, Jai Sri Ram ?
Don’t be oversmart jai brahmin jai parshuram…… brahmins are always superior in every field…
You are a communist,hindu hater,, who is just making such bad comments to increase hate for great hindu dharma, you have nothing to do with hindu religion
Great Hindu dharma is Brahmanism.
Don’t be oversmart jai brahman jai parshuram……
This comment has been made to defame Brahmins globally.
I dunno why a christian missionary is being allowed to write commentary on hindus. Will this jihadi media do the same??
Mr.Modi himself belongs to OBC category who performed all the rituals and laid the foundation stone. Varna system is based on Karma not birth. Stop your propaganda.
Much appreciated article. Thanks for bringing the key issue of one small group suppressing the most of others, in indian society.
Aryan varna dharma privileges few and insults/suppresses the rest.
The Tamil literature Tirukkural says,
“Pirapokkum ella uyirkkum sirappovva
Seithozhil vettrumai yaam”
It means that “All the living beings are created equal, and dis respecting or insulting someone based on the job they do, can never be a good character”.
We, Tamils are proud to be Sudhras, and don’t care about the Aryan brahmin varna dharma.
I can’t understand how the so called sudhras, dalits in north india continue to support and vote for the rss hidhutva groups, eventhough they are dis respected, neglected and suppressed by these ariyan brahmins.
They have brainwashed over centuries and they have come to accept that is their lot. The caste Hindus do everything to keep it that way. That is what Hindutva is about.
Why don’t you put simply you a Christian hate Hindus and I know why you not talk about religion of peace and your own
Simply they will DP your ass
Mr.Modi himself belongs to OBC category who performed all the rituals and laid the foundation stone. Varna system is based on Karma not birth. Stop your propaganda.
I do not think it is for a non-Hindu to say anything on this.
The writer seems to be upper cast basher with half truths thrown in, he forgets modi himself is from obc caste, the article is totally biased
Mr Ilaiah, plz , for your own convoluted good, try another tack now on.
Your separate attempt to raise caste issues will fail yet again. The problem with your types, the communists and socialists is that you bank on distrust, anger and injustice to promote your philosophies that are fast being debunked world over.
The dalits and obc are realising that your ilk has absolutely no interest in bettering their lot. On the contrary , your pathetic success depends solely on their suffering. Hence.you r delighted if they suffer since that gives you sustaiñence.
That is why the communist and socialist flowchart is never about cures but only about promoting flaws and perpetuating them. That gives you political relevance.
After constantly berating spiritual.and Hinduism’s ideals, you have the gall to comment on how the nation’s sentiment should fall in your line?
But it’s good that you exist.
Your presence and continued shrill tirade helps to expose your narrative. People now understand you better. I am sure the so called liberal narrative is necessary for strengthening what you so despise.
May you and your fellow travellers of all red shades survive and rant even more.
You don’t realise it. You are a big help to repeat 2014 and 2019 in 2024 !
I’m waiting for comments
…nonsense
Mr shepherd should also mention:
That he is christian fundamentalist
That shilanyas was done by dalit
Why blacks and whites have different churches
What about pasmandas
That soil from both ambedkar and birsa’s birthplace is taken in bhoumi poujan
Why should people discuss any thing and every thing as if they are an authority on Santana dharma (I would not refer it as Hinduism in the comon parlance of the leftist)
Moreover has the writer considered tha Vactican having a woman as Pope
If one desires to be a priest in any temple one must demand it and challenge the status quo by showing proficiency in all required scriptures and procedures. Thereafter, one must display such proficiency in public domain. There are many Dalits who have over the years developed some financial strength and there are quite a few who are very proficient in English. Therefore, I think the community can definitely represent itself as capable. I believe one should stake a claim to a position based on knowledge and capabilities rather than asking for it in the name of inclusivity. This is true for any temple and for any job. Challenge the competition and demand on competence.
Dalits should get out of Hinduism instead of demanding things which caste Hindus will not give.
You third class journalist
First Prasad of Ram Mandir is sent to Mahabir a Shudra’s family.
So please stop your Caste politics, all are Hindus and united.
Reading the Shepherd’s incoherent ranting where he mixes up multiple issues in his hatred of Hinduism and the upper castes, is a pain in the neck. This guy seriously needs an editor. Picking through the debris of his brain fart, to find any clear, well-focused train of argument is an impossible task.
Reading his article actually made me dumber than I was before.
After allowing this man’s imagination and word-play to go berserk, you print this :
At ThePrint, we invest in quality journalists. We pay them fairly and on time even in this difficult period. As you may have noticed, we do not flinch from spending whatever it takes to make sure our reporters reach where the story is.
Why should we believe you?
Your opinion is completely wrong and not based on proper studying. Please do some homework before writing something else
Not sure how many sheeps are following Shri Shephard. But his and his ilk are caught in a time warp. India has moved on.
Huh? Now what’s a Communist intellectual? There can be a Communist, an intellectual, a Communist pseudo-intellectual even an intellectual who is a pseudo Communist. But how on earth can a Communist be an intellectual or vice versa. Oxymoron classic.
Your rant is as silly as someone asking the Vatican to choose it’s next Pope from the African black community.
And yet, you know very well (though you may pretend you don’t) that there are many examples in Hindu history of people from lower castes reaching high levels of excellence and being recognised for it. Yes even priests. Nandanar , Ravi Das, Eknath and Chokhmela are some examples. Hindus have always been a tolerant and inclusive lot. Don’t worry. You will see a Dalit priest in Ayodhya too very soon.
Modi himself being the biggest example of equality on Ram Mandir bhoomi poojan..What else you want
seems to be illogical because teaching English wouldn’t help suppressed class to become equal they are equal you have to change your perspective of seeing them ..So will others do ..You discriminate them from other Hindu caste by calling then Dalits or shudras.. You symbolise them as super suppressed caste not the class(class being mentioned here because we Indians don’t respect people who are labroures,artist, architecture,gardner,etc…. )Now days these kinds of work are done by every caste person ..Hindus of today don’t believe in caste system they believe in caste
system where they love their ancestors history but
had also abolish all the stupid rituals , discrimination integrated in there minds by different rulers, parties,and philosophical Guru’s…?And for your knowledge some Gurukuls have started giving education to other suppressed class people too…N u forgot Baba Ramdev was also present there… ☮️
Kancha bhai, that is the beauty of Hinduism. Much much before you even thought of demanding a dalit priest, they already have a dalit priest. You can also spend some time looking at all the dalits/shudras who rose to positions of great power and wealth in India in the past and continue to do so today. Once they were rich and powerful people easily called them ‘kshatriyas’.
Like really…… I mean abhi tak Hindu- Muslim khatam nhi hua ?♂️
Shudra bhi laa diya… Waah ?♂️ ??
Humne bhi nhi socha tha ki ab pujariyo ki jaat pe aajao k…. Dude I support logic but what are you doing now is clearly showing that you are trying to create a rift in this religion.
Please for a change be a little sensitive and post something relatable to the development of the nation and try to question them on something important and logical matters and what are it’s solutions.
Note:- Author’s views are personal and you’re helping him to make it public. Bravo ??
In the Ramayana, Rama beheads Shambuga the sudra for doing tapas due to which it was held that a Brahmin’s child fainted.
When Rama came back to Ayodhya, lamps were lit while the sudras turned off theirs to make the upper caste glow stronger.
This the Brahmanic teaching.
Ambedkar had concluded that Hinduism cannot be reformed of its caste system and so he recommended conversion. That is still true.
I am never gonna read print due to it’s anti hindu views . Psuedo seculars
Kancha Illiaiah Shepherd does not seem to get the Varna System. None of the folks he mentions are now Sudra by their current Karma and Guna. They have all become a blend of Kshatriya’s and Vysyas. Once you have moved up the ladder and into governance, that is essentially what you are.
If as per his demand we get a Ex. Dalit into Priesthood, by Karma/Guna he is a Brahmin and Dalit no more. Dalit is plainly a Jathi. Not a Varna. This moronic interpretation is bothersome.
People like you only divide people into caste system.
is this guy kancha illahia a lunatic. When ever I read his comments, all i find his grudges of discrimination against dalits when none exist. If anything Ram movement is to bring together all hindu society. This guy should be put in mental asylum
The upcoming Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is not just any temple structure but an assertion of Hindu solidarity. With Kameshwar Chaupal, a Dalit who laid the foundation stone of the temple three decades ago and now as an active member of the Ram Temple trust, the significant position of Dalits in the Hindu imagination is a foregone conclusion.
So dont spread lies
Kameshwar Chaupal, a Dalit member of the temple’s trust, SC and OBC leaders such as Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar were at the helm of Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
The sudras are the street fighters for the Brahmins. A few tokens will be there to pretend casteism is a thing of the past.
It would have been a giant step for the Hindu establishment to have had a Dalit priest on the podium for the ‘bhoomipujan’. But the fact that Modi, an OBC, was the chief facilitator of the event in Ayodhya augurs well for India’s caste-free future!!!!
He is not a Hindu. The matter does not concern him.
Actually Kancha illachi’s articles are master pieces of perfectly woven lies and propaganda!
Crooked mind illaya tries to follow the same pattern which started in early 20th century. Casteism is not varna system.
Any one who is learned is a brahmin. Starting from maharishi valmiki, chandragupta maurya, to ambedkar each of them are revered for their knowledge. No deserving person is devoid of his status in society.
Periyar tried to do this, leftist perfected this then BSP tried to use this ploy. All have been discarded in present times.
Writer & the print should keep posting such false narratives, so that the people can be aware of the propagandas of leftists & missionaries.
This casteist Christian posing as a Hindu is atrocious. shudras were never slaves. Valmiki was a shudra…he is also a maharishi, Veda vyas was a shudra , he is also a maharishi ..so this idiotic bigoted paid christian proselytiser keeps talking idiotic stuff …isn’t modi from a backward caste? Didn’t all of India vote for him…didn’t the Christians keep slaves and enslave most of the world including india and kill and maim millions including in india….didn’t muslims do that as well with their holy book justifying slavery and also making sure non-Muslims need to pay tax..doesn’t the Indian Muslim personal law board in its books says certain arab lienages are better and everyone needs to them..this casteist anti hindu horrible human needs to be put in prison for his bias and violent anti hindu behaviour…how can print even publish what this id₹₹₹iot hypocrite paid christian proselytiser says?.
As for OBCs – Uma bharti, Kalyan Singh etc are all OBCs.
Author says, ” we don’t about status of dalits in Ramayan .” Of course u don’t know. ?
Valmiki wrote it. Nishad & Lord Ram went to same Gurukul.
Shabri was a “Tapasvini .”
And the villain is a Brahmin. ??
Shambuga the sudra was beheaded by Rama for doing Tapas.
KANCHA ILAIAH SHEPHERD is neither Hindu nor a believer in Ram. So why is he bothered about who will be priests in a temple to a God he does not believe in?
Is it because as a Hindu hater and anti-Hindu fanatic he cannot bear to see that Hindu are happy ? Is his hatred for Hindus going to be the excuse he uses to ask for something like a Dalit priest ? Is there a Dalit Pope so far in Christian History? What about a non-white Pope?? Why does he not ask for that ??
2000 years and still no black, brown or asian person has been fit to serve as POPe?
Will this pseudo egalitarian demand similarly from his white skinned masters who taught him his rhetoric so well??
Mr Shepherd ( LOL ) is such a fake, even his name is not Indian, how can one like him HOPE to be priests in the Ram temple when they Hate not only Ram and Hindus but their Indian identity in toto ??? The only reason Mr Shepherd has not migrated to his Church in the West is because, there he cant pointificate and use the crutch of his “Dalit-ness” to extract concessions and appropriate privilege that is unearned!
Kameshwar chaupal -a dalit – laid the foundation stone & is very much a member of Temple trust .
Kuch naya sochna padega …caste based politics is over.
But the Prime Minister himself is from Backward caste. He comes from ‘Teli’ caste…Mr Shepherd is so blinded by hate that he forgot to mention this. Even Congress party has made fun of Prime Minister’s caste during UP polls, and paid a heavy price for it. Shame on the author for such a blatant lie.
A nice article.
What our PM speaks cannot be taken in its face value. If he can get votes and power
I am sure, I repeat I am sure he will utter in a podium “even Muslims and Christians
can become pujaris in a Hindu temple. He utter lot of BSs. That is his nature and his
history. Otherwise who on earth will equate the bhumipujan with our independence
struggle? By saying that he has disgraced, disrespected an downgraded the sacrifice of
our independence movement leaders and who lost their lives for that cause. So his utterance
has no value and we are a nation so cursed to carry this dirty laundry. Re Kerala matter
I draw the attention of the author to this article: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-dalit-priests-government-temples-any-hindu-can-be-a-brahmin-4890673/
In fact we have very few dalit priests here. I dont remember there was any major backlash
from the caste Hindus when the announcement was made. Though I am not a communist
or their sympathizer, the mental physique of Keralites are bit different than other parts
of the country when it comes to caste, discrimination etc. This can be rightly attributed to
the early missionaries who worked tirelessly towards giving education to all the residents
at the peril of their own risk (though many dont want to admit publicly, but history cannot be fooled)
followed by the communist movement taken prominence in the state I am not completely absolve
Kerala from that sin, as still there are some pockets remain active. It was one of the reason
why BJP was unable to get a stronghold here. But it is happening though in a very subtle
fashion, and its worrying for people like me. Another thing is one feels ashamed here when someone
is publicly allege one, he or she is a casteist. Above are my own opinion
You are NOT FIT to enter Ram temple for the same reason Muslims and Christians are not allowed – You do not believe in RAMA !
You are NOT Hindus and even after converting, changing your name and pretending to be some evangelical you bark and bray about a religion you have no claim to and steal reservations and privileges you have no right to through a legal FRAUD.
So called self-certified “Dalit” intellectuals like Kancha, who are neither Dalit, nor even Hindu have no business questioning who can enter Rama temple, or who can be a priest there or who can worship there! You have ZERO rights to Rama as you are NOT Hindus.
Further, this shamelss hypocrite Kancha who is not Shudra, has no authority or business commenting on Shudra communities which unlike him and his fellow pseudo Dalits are not profiting off their caste for social, political and economic benefits and have built their entire career on the circumstances of their birth, no the content of their character or the ability of their brain.
The writer is not a Hindu. So, why does he bother with how worship is performed in the new Temple? He should keep his nose and pen out of it. Anyway, Hindu worship is performed according to Agamas. This man cannot give useless politically loaded suggestions.
Sir, you are always talking about movement. One good way to start it will be to get few of the Dalits properly educated. Have you personally contributed anything in educating dalits or you are just asking others that they should lift Dalits ? A good contribution of your own will be much more valuable than shouting in these articles.
There was no such thing as “Hindus” outside of the Indus Valley even a 1,000 years ago. “Hindu” was ae term coined by the Persians to describe their co-coreligionists during their Vedai period (before their Avesthan-Zoroastrain Period) who lived in the Indus Valley i.e. present day Pakistan. The term was used vy Moslem invaders to describe all natives who were not Moslem and was resurrected as a “religion” by the British when they began their porgrom t erase the Brahmins and the People of Dharma who adhered to Aryan Brahmin Law after the Sepoy Mutiny to put an end to all resistance to alien ideologies, cultures, religions and laws.
The original inhabitants of the peninsula now called India, whom the British wrongly proclaimed as “Dravids”, were Negroids from Africa.
The real Druids (Druhyus) were tall fair, agricultural and architectural, Lalitha, Shiva and Vishnu worshiping Semites from Mesopotamia (the place of the three rivers now called Tigris, Euphrates and Jordan) who scattered to escape persecution by their own apostates who had embraced Yahweh, the jealous God of Abraham and harrying from the Aryas. The Jews refer to Lalitha as Lilith “the first wife” of Adam and as “Maya” an evil illusion that seduces.
The ancient prototypical Druid name for a City “Ur” is still used in many Indian languages with the same import. The Aryas were stocky, multi racial, bracycephalic, ruddy to golden complexioned, war like nomadic pastoralists that comprised tribes from East Prussia to Mongolia (their grazing grounds), united by a common constitution, laws and code of chivalry, who worshiped Brahma and nature.
Some Druids settled in the Indo Gangetic plain during the Rik Vedic Period and were over laid by the Aryas during the Shukla Yajur Veda Period 5 extracted tribute from the Druids as produced with their skills giving rise to the joyous tones of the Krishna Yajur Veda.
The Aryas entered into the Treaty of Bharatha which bound them together like latter day NATO and also paid collective tribute to Arya Mihira to escape further attacks from Aryan tribes beyond the Himalayas. This led to the decadence of the Sama Veda. In due course, their prosperity made them powerful enough to discard tributes to Arya Mihira and become the independent Nation of Bharatha Varsha.
After the Great Civil War of Kurukshetra, Aryans were decimated and Aryan power was no longer enforcable. Druhyus and Aryas intermarried and the Shudra Varna entered the Guru Kula system with Varna mobility thereafter. The Druid skills of architecture, agriculture, and customs of temple worship entered the Vedas through the “Aagama” (that which came from outside) Shastras in the Atharva Veda Period.
At this time the Druid Deities were Sanskritized in Mantras and the codified manual of the Threithreya Upanishad was created for all Veda to draw on.
The Vedic period was brought to an end by Ashoka. Sanskrit, together with the Upanishads, Vedas, and Brahma Suthras was revived by Adi Shankara whose ancestors had fled deep to the South to escape Ashoka’s persecution. He re integrated India and amalgamated the Aryan, Druid and Negroid deities into the Panchayathana. (Aryan Brahma by his living idol the Sun, Aryan Shankara and Rudra with Druid Shiva, Aryan Narayana with Druid Vishnu, Aryan Sandhya, Savithri, Gayatri and Saraswathi with Druid Lalitha, Lakshmi and Paravathi and Tribal Kali as Durga Parameshwari, and tribal Ganapathi as himself), This known as Sanathana Dharma today. However most natives continued with their own religions from Brahmanism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shakthaism to Cannibalism, Necrophagy, Thuggee, and so on, all of which, the British called “Hinduism” and made a legal fiction in 1921.
The Varna mobility was brought to an end by Ashoka and resulted in 2,500 years of genetic reinforcement of Varna through strictly patrilineal descent. It is not for nothing that the Ashoka Pillar and the Ashoka Chakra are emblazoned in the PANGOLIN* Indian Republic that has enshrined caste, tribe, religion and other permanent dividing walls in a Constitution that condemnded India to a perpetual state of civil war.
Much of the mythology (Puranas) was born in two phases. The first to reconcile and integrate religions during the Atharva Veda period and then to reconcile and integrate the Panchayathana. They carry shades of religious competitiveness and flights of fancy.
Not all the religions accepted this integration and many atavistic religions from necrophagy to human sacrifice persist to this day. Those that did not adhere to the laws of Arya Varsha were proscribed and their followers were declared Non Aryas as was Ashoka (for violating the treaty of Bharatha and massacring his brothers).
In 1921 the British coined a name “Dalits” for the Non Aryas, and made them Hindus-in-law along with various other proud tribes to swamp the congregational temple welfare system and break the back of the People of Dharma while simultaneously commencing a canard and legal oppression against Brahmins (e.g. British stooge Patros’ Communal Gazetted Order 613 of 1923 to discriminate against Brahmins in all walks of life in the Madras Presidency).
“Hinduism” represents a defunct nationality that was identified by adherence to common (Brahminical) law till 1921, though the term itself was coined by the Persians to describe their co-coreligionists during their Vedia period (before their Avesthan-Zoroastrain Period) who lived in the Indus Valley i.e. present day Pakistan. Today “Hinduism comprises a thousand cults, the foremost being Supre Courtism, High Courtism, and PANGOLIN*ism.
*Note: PANGOLIN: An enemy of India who believes in inequality under law, exceptions to the rule of law and persecution of some for the benefit of others. At present, the sole purpose of the Indian Republic, Constitutional or otherwise, is to pamper and provide for certain constitutionally preferred sections of society who the British found useful to hold and exploit India at the cost of those who the British hated and persecuted. The Pangolin is a creature that is unique to India and feeds on ants that are known in nature to be industrious and hard working if not quite as fruitful as bees who flee to better climes. (PANGOLIN is an acronym for the Periyar-Ambedkar-Nehru-Gandhi-Other (alien) Religions-Communist Consensus that usurped the British Mantle and has worn it with elan to loot, plunder, and rape India since 1921 and re write History and laws to their exclusive benefit since 1947)
Earlier, people like this author wanted to destroy Hinduism. Now they have come to the realisation that it is not possible to destroy Hinduism. So he is coming down to practical levels – can we eliminate caste hierarchy or atleast give equal rights to all castes? Now this is a positive development. If authors like him started with this position earlier, some 50 years would have been saved. Atleast now, let us all come together and try to create, if possible, a casteless Hindu society, or atleast one where castes are given dignity and equality. For the first time, I agree with Kanchan Sheperd. However, I am vary of converts like him, since they always have a conversion agenda in the back of their minds. So Hindus, and Hindus alone, should get together and solve the caste problem, without permitting other communities – Christians and Muslims – to interfere in the process.
Hinduism cannot solve caste by preventing Dalits the choice to convert. That is also a solution. Why do you enforce captivity ?
There is no prohibition on conversation – only prohibition on proselytizing.
Second, dalits who convert no longer should be entitled to any reservations or recognition as Dalits.
Third, those who convert end up even more ostracised and excluded from mainstream and their neighbors. Conversion does not help inclusion.
Fourthly, as far as manusmriti is concerned conversion away from Hinduism for a dalit still gives them the same status. As caste is denoted by birth and can only be erased through death, so even scripturally it is futile.
Finally, conversion by choice to any other religion must be a enlightened move and Ambedkar after studying various faiths found only one worthy of conversion that genuinely espoused a humanistic spirit – Buddhism
Its time to get rid of this narrow mentality of Shudras etc….. If this writer were to pinpoint any learned person who has been excluded due to his caste…it would have been a point…but he has not done so…Its time we give importance to merit rather than anything else… Does anybody even know the Caste of Kavi Shailendra…does anybody bother about it…. His quality as a great poet/lyricist is what everybody remembers him by…. Does anybody Rafisahab because he was a devout muslim… No, he is adored because of his great quality as an artist…. So ordinary folks are wanting to move out of this… but writers like this would like to define any great individual on the basis of caste, religion, gender etc…. Its a Tragedy really…..
Dear Kancha “Shepherd”,
Being the Hinduphobe that you are, you obviously cannot bear the fact that we Hindus are now uniting irrespective of caste, class, or region amidst disgusting attempts to divide us. Most Hindus are celebrating the Bhumi Pujan and we do not care what losers like you think.
By the way, the evangelical American whites who bankroll your hate against Sanatana dharma do not worship in the same churches as Blacks! That’s right! Churches in the US are so divided that Sunday morning is said to be the most segregated hour of the week.
Your evangelical co-religionists worship a white-washed Jesus. Fancy that, a kinky-haired, dusky middle-easterner white-washed to look like a Norwegian with blue eyes. Try telling your white friends, yes the kind who rail against “idols”, to paint the white Jesuses in their church black and see the reactions you get – probably never get them to sponsor a US visa for you again.
If you want to really help your Christian brothers, you should criticize radical Islam, which is the number 1 threat to Christian minorities in the world today, no exceptions. Not Hindus, who respect Yeshu and never interfere in the practices of other religions.
Why a converter Christian is allowed to spurn poison on Hindus , Shame on Shekhar Guptha for giving platform to these Missionaries and anti Hindu activism in his Print ,
second this so called Illayya shepherd is a converted Christian who belongs to OBC Yadav community , he has written volumes books against Brahmins , Vysyas , ( Businesses community )all other castes but have no shame in getting money from Shekhar Guptha , who is also a vysya( Business community )
Finally how this writer and other leftists conveniently avoid saying Prime Minister Modi is a OBC and our present president is A Dalit
All these Anti Hindu Leftists and Christian Missionaries should be controlled first to achieve caste less Hindu society.
Just keep cranking up the controversy where none exists & create divisions in society.
That’s what The Print does using these 2nd rate unknown “political theorists”, “activists” and “authors whose views are personal”.
Why don’t you publish an article on Pappu? At least he makes up laugh.