By Ram Puniyani,
Caste hierarchy is a major obstacle to the goal of social justice and it continues to be a major obstacle to social progress even today. There are many a theories, which have tried to understand its origin. The latest in the series is the attempt of RSS to show its genesis due to invasion of Muslim kings. Three books written by RSS ideologues argue that Islamic atrocities during medieval period resulted in emergence of untouchables and low castes. The books are ‘Hindu Charmakar Jati’, ‘Hindu Khatik Jati’ and ‘Hindu Valmiki Jati’.
The Sangh leaders claimed that these castes had come into existence due to atrocities by foreign invaders and did not exist in Hindu religion earlier. According to Bhaiyyaji Joshi, number two in RSS hierarchy, ‘shudras’ were never untouchables in Hindu scriptures. ‘Islamic atrocities’ during the medieval age resulted in the emergence of untouchables, Dalits. Joshi further elaborated, “To violate Hindu swabhiman (dignity) of Chanwarvanshiya kshatriyas, foreign invaders from Arab, Muslim rulers and beef-eaters, forced them to do abominable works like killing cows, skinning them and throwing their carcasses in deserted places. Foreign invaders thus created a caste of charma-karma (dealing with skin) by giving such works as punishment to proud Hindu prisoners.”
The truth is contrary to this. The foundations of the caste system are very old and untouchability came as an accompaniment of the caste system. The Aryans considered themselves superior, they called non-Aryans krshna varnya (dark skinned), anasa(those with no nose), and since non-Aryans worshipped the phallus, they were considered non-human or amanushya. (Rig Veda: X.22.9) There are quotes in the Rig Veda and Manusmriti to show that low castes were prohibited from coming close to the high castes and they were to live outside the village. While this does not imply that a full-fledged caste system had come into being in Rig Vedic times, the four-fold division of society into varnas did exist, which became a fairly rigid caste system by the time of the Manusmriti.
Untouchability became the accompaniment of the caste system sometime around the first century ad. The Manusmriti, written in the second–third centuries ad, codifies the existing practices which show with utmost clarity the type of despicable social practices that the oppressor castes were imposing upon the oppressed castes. The first major incursions of Muslim invaders into India began around the 11th century ad, and the European conquests of India began in the 17th – 18th centuries.
Over time, the caste system became hereditary. The rules for social intercourse as well as establishing marriage relations were laid down by the caste system. Caste hierarchies also became rigid over time. The shudras began to be excluded from caste society, and ‘upper’ castes were barred from inter-dining or inter-marrying with them. Notions of ‘purity’ and ‘pollution’ were enforced strictly to maintain caste boundaries. Shudras became ‘untouchables’. It is this rigid social division that Manu’s Manav Dharmashastra (Human Law Code) codified.
Golwalkar, the major ideologue of RSS, defended it in a different way: “If a developed society realizes that the existing differences are due to the scientific social structure and that they indicate the different limbs of body social, the diversity (i.e. caste system, added) would not be construed as a blemish.” (Organiser, December 1, 1952, p.7)
Deendayal Upadhyaya, another major ideologue of the Sangh Parivar stated, ‘In our concept of four castes (varnas), they are thought of as different limbs of virat purush (the primeval man)… These limbs are not only complimentary to one another but even further there is individuality, unity. There is a complete identity of interests, identity, belonging… If this idea is not kept alive, the caste; instead of being complimentary can produce conflict. But then that is a distortion.” (D. Upadhyaya, Integral Humanism, New Delhi, Bharatiya Jansangh, 1965, p. 43)
Social struggles to oppose this system and the struggles to escape the tyrannies of caste system are presented by Ambedkar as revolution and counter-revolution. He divides the ‘pre-Muslim’ period into three stages: (a) Brahmanism (the Vedic period); (b) Buddhism, connected with rise of first Magadh-Maurya states and representing the revolutionary denial of caste inequalities; and (c) ‘Hinduism’, or the counter revolution, which consolidated brahman dominance and the caste hierarchy.
Much before the invasion of Muslim kings, shudras were treated as untouchables and were the most oppressed and exploited sections of society. The rigidity and cruelty of the caste system and untouchability became very intense from the post-Vedic to Gupta period. Later, new social movements such as Bhakti, directly, and Sufi, indirectly, partly reduced the intensity of the caste oppression and untouchability. This doctoring of the history by Sangh ideologues is motivated by their political agenda and tries to hide the truth.
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(Ram Puniyani is a Mumbai-based author and peace activist. He can be contacted atram.puniyani@gmail.com )
This sangh parivar should first know how many hindus are eating meat and drinking alchohol in western countries.
come to Middle east .. i will show u how many muslims drinking in the bar
A KAFIR NEVER BELIEVE IN ANY RELGION.THATS Y THEY R MENTIONED CLEAR CUT A K A F I R.thos who dont aceept god how they will acept truth.
Better not to give much publicity to this so-called book publishing function by giving this artcicle. Majority of Hindus, mainly educated hindus knows that varna system rooted from their fabricated scriptures like manusmirthi.
RSS has insulted the Hindu religion because, RSS described Hindu religion as so weak ? by writing in books that so-called Muslim invaders can change Hindu religion by introducing caste system ?
For aurgument sake we agree that so-called Muslim Invaders has corrupted the Hindu religion by introducing caste system. Now can RSS and BJP declared that all dalits are Brahmins ?
But in reality during the time of Muslim rules in India, Brahmins were enjoying with their status by acquired top post, even during british rule they hold all top post and even post independence they are holding the top post and enjoying the facilities. Why the work done by BR Ambedkar for dalits ignored by RSS ?
This is nothing but a new funda of RSS so that Brahmin will remain as ruler and in top post for another century.
Now dalits can marry a brahmin .they can enter top temple. Shankaracharyas also can be from Dalits.they can read Vedas.how about Eklavya….!.?Dasbodh?
If RSS loves dalit & treats them with respect then why they are not anointed as Sankaracharya ? Of any temple forget about the largest one in Kashi. No need to go far away a CM of Bihar tasted this insult when the idols were washing & sent for shuddi Karan after he performed puja over them. He publicly displayed his insult & humiliation. At that time where were these RSS pracharaks. Its just a fringe group of the Brahmins who wants to retain their supremacy & for these reasons they come out with such Propaganda & no doubt the present government is hand in gloves with them. Also they Target Muslims coz they knew Islam is the only Religion which curbs & disowns this caste,, system & they see this ideology as a threat for their existence. I am Sure Dalits know the truth & won’t buy their false claims. Infact Islam tried hard to abolish this inhuman treatment but was often objected by Brahmins as,, an interference in their religious matters. The greatest Invaders of India were these Central Asian Aryans. Muslim rulers gave them equal status & also imp governing portfolios which annoyed t upper classs t most
No caste system in Islam.. Even Shia, Ahmedia muslims are being killed by sunni extremesists across the world..
Mr jatin all these are different jurisdiction based on interpretations. Not an established caste like ” Varna & jati” in ur Vedas. Perhaps Muslims perform the annual Pilgrimage “Hajj” as Muslims & not Sunni Muslim or shia Muslim or Deobandi, etc. We all are one UMMA & its just a difference of Interpretation. Which clarifies all doubts but yet except these so called Muslims”Ahmadiyas” they don’t come under the preview of Islam as they oppose (Maz Allah) in prophecy of our Prophet Muhammad (sallala alaiha wassallam -pbuh) as the last which is testified in the Quranic Verses. So they are not Muslims in true sense but this doesn’t mean they should be subjected to torture. Islam doesn’t permit violence & bloodshed even of the nonbelievers. Ahmadiyas doesn’t belong to Islam or any of its branch. Its just a lot of Misguided people which has no place in Islam unless they accept the Quranic testified verse. They are rightly treated altogether as some different faith & not ISLAM. Get this straight they r not Muslims! Simple
Mr. Sameer,
Shall we know the address of the certificate giving agency of the organisation who judges the imaan. May be Deoband or nadwa.
Today the ahmaddiyas are ousted, tomorrow the bohras and there are many even among the ulemas who outcast the shias as a whole. Leave it to themselves and know the meaning of lakum deenakum waliyaddin. Let Allah judge better as he is the one to chastise for trangression. As per the teachings in the quran no human has been given power to judge anyones Imaan. the Prophet(SAW) did not chastise even the munaafiqs/hypocrites about whom he had the knowledge.
Mr Nazeer will you call someone a Muslimwhiwho says Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh) is not the last prophet (God forbid) & considers some Ahmad to be a Prophet what is the Bait the qalma ” There is no God but Allah & Mohammed is his Prophet” .The Quran says ‘ Khatmeen Nabieen’ the last Prophet Mohammed after that there won’t be any prophet & with him prophet hood ends. What will call
Those people who defy it? All others no matter what ever maslaq they belong to will won’t oppose it ever coz it its the foundation of Islam & base of everything and if one denies it how can he b referred as a Muslim as they have went against their oath against the ethos of Islam. So if someone creates proclaims to b another prophet then that religion faith or whatever is not Islam its altogether new stuff so name it something else but don’t call urself as Muslims & persuade others to refer u as a Muslim coz u r not. & regarding ‘lakum dinakum waliadin’ it says u follow what u believe is t interpretation of the Quran & vice versa it never support any objection to the verse or to the prophet hood or on contrary declare self as a prophet & hide under t umbrella of Islam. & one who does that is not a Muslim but someone from Neo faith & ur free to do what u want but not in t name (of Islam).
guys
another ploy to trap dalits
if dalits believe this to be true, they will vote for bjp
so they will enjoy power
and continue to exploit dalits
if they genuinely think otherwise, let them make a resolution that they will marry their daughters only to dalits from now on and appoint only dalits in temples as priests and sankaracharyas.
they would never do it which will expose their true colors
they are very intelligent, o dalits, dont fall prey to these people.
Mr, Sameer,
So how does it justify persecution of the Ahmadis in Pakistan, You have a belief and they have a belief. How is that what you have judged is the only correct belief. Accept it, this is nothing but intolerance of the muslims, instigated by some ulemas chiefly Maududi.
We are living in India not Pakistan, so don’t deviate the topic first prove the doctoring RSS theory is right ? This is nothing but a new funda of RSS so that Brahmin will remain as ruler and in top post for another century.
I belongs to scheduled caste jaati charmkar. And very well that when ever BJP come 2power. RSS happens active and started his bastardness.its all because of BJP. Shame d bloody BJP candidates who are d pet of RSS.
is mr ankit sharma, mr amit, mr varun, mr sajin mr jatin and all saffron satan s reading this sub text.
VEDIC FANATICS want to start MASSIVE religious and ideological RAGGING in all schools, colleges and universities of India!!
**In the name of Hindutva, the VEDIC FANATICS want to FORCE all students and scholars to believe that the ANCIENT BRAHMINS or RISHIS had INVENTED aeroplanes, satellites, warships, trains, fridges, guns, explosives and even ATOM bombs!! Then why did the technologically superior Hindus LOSE to foreign invaders in WARS and become SLAVES for more than a 1000 years?
**HIGH CASTE BIGOTED TEACHERS have been practising RAGGING in India for THOUSANDS of YEARS since ancient Vedic times. They believe in telling LIES and cheating, practise favoritism, MOLEST FEMALE students, consume and peddle NARCOTIC DRUGS. They consider the ARTS of BLUFFING like ASTROLOGY, PALMISTRY, NUMEROLOGY and FORTUNE-TELLING as their GREATEST SCIENCES!!
**As a student, I had many bitter experiences with BIGOTED TEACHERS who NEVER TOLERATED logical and independent thinkers like me. I am giving below one example of my experiences with HIGH CASTE BIGOTED TEACHERS.
**I was a student of FILM INSTITUTE, Pune, doing a course in Film Direction, which I had to abandon even though I was FIRST in my class! The BIGOTED TEACHERS wanted the students to be PIMPS and PROSTITUTES!!
I can give details about the RAGGING, DRUG ADDICTION and other SCANDALS that have been going on in the FILM INSTITUTE for many years. I have documentary PROOFS.
***Ashok Jaisinghani.