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GET UP AND ACT - DALIT BRETHREN-
"It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is
getting up and taking action."
Al Batt an eminent Writer and Speaker
This land of Bharat, from the time immemorial, has been continuous
engulfed in the conflict between two socio-cultural and religious ideologies.
Tathagat Buddha always used terms “Shraman – Brahmins” in his
discourses. In actual sense, these two words denote two different social,
cultural, religious and ideological systems. Shraman ideology
terms this world as full of grief and sorrows and proposes methodology to get
over these grief and sorrow while on the other hand, Brahminical
ideology believes in hording and satisfying desires by hook or crook. Shraman
ideology believes that birth or death is sorrow and strives to lessen the grief
of people engulfed in this grief and exhort human beings to move towards
attainment of Nirvana. Shraman ideology upholds self-denial and renunciation as
supreme, while, Brahminical ideology believes in fulfillment of desires by
whatever means. Shraman ideology is independent based on the precepts of
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Justice while on the other hand, Brahminical ideology
is based on the pillars of inequality between human beings, concept of born
high and born low, discrimination and holding people slave, branding them
untouchables and Sudras and talks of freedom of only few persons in the
society.
Mahapandit Rahul Sakrityayan says that Brahminical literature
consists of 75% of illogical, meaningless concocted material, only 5% things
mentioned have some relevance. He further says that it appears that the pleader
or requestor or worshippers in the mythical Brahminical literature, making
innumerable request to Devtas, is suffering from intense hunger and
destitution. He seems to seek material things in his requests. What natural
things like Varun (Water), Agni (Fire), Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Vayu
(Air), Lightening, River and Streams etc. could give to such seeker? In first
Mandala of the Rig Veda, the requestor prays before Agni. The requestor is so
confused that he even pleads before cow, goat and frog for vesting wealth in
him. In last Mantra of The Rig Veda, in gross contempt and setting aside the
principles of welfare of all, the provision for education is provided for the
Purohits and their pupils.
In Brahminical socio, cultural and religious system, the Gods and
Great men could never get rid of their vices nor they even tried to get
themselves divested of such vices. There are innumerable examples of such
instances easily available in their own scriptures like Vedas and Upanishads.
In last 5000 years, only Buddha is the only human being completely divested of
all vices. He was called Tathagat because whatever he preached same he followed
and observed meticulously in his own life and whatever he did same he preached.
This is the reason why he was called Tathagat.
For Tathagat, Swami Vivekanand says that whosoever has been the
propounded of Faiths (Religions) in the whole world, Tathagat is the only
person who has taught the lesson of self-confidence and infused that spirit in
us. He has not only exhorted us to disassociate ourselves from the burden of
false and untrue believes but also told us to get rid of those false God /
Goddesses and Devis and Devtas who do not have any existence in this world. He
further says that in the history of mankind there is none other having such
high social, spiritual and intellectual thoughts. The great Liberator
(Tathagat), the greatest amongst the persons born in human form on this earth
in the history of humanity taught us such supreme ideals but never claimed or
tried to project himself great. He was combination of such an excellent mixture
of heart and mind that has never been seen after him. The history of evolution
of species of human states that amongst the of human beings born on this land,
Tathagat Buddha is supreme and stand out in them. There is no other such
towering figure with whom he can ever be compared.
The theory of evolution propounded by Charles Darwin, widely
accepted in the world, lays down that humans have evolved from the species of
monkey but the blind believers in Brahminical theology still have blind faith
and propagate the birth of human being from some body part of some God. Dr.
Bharat Singh Upadhaya says that Tathagat achieved all that word by word for
which Vedic Ascetics (Rishis) were praying. If one deeply examines the
Brahminical literature, you may not come across any example of any Rishi who
shall have declared after his own experience that his ignorance and darkness
has ended and he has attained nectar of light. During the Vedic period,
attainment of such knowledge has only been a prayer and desire while Tathagat
has actually attained the Bodhi. This is a landmark achievement in the history
of spiritual development of this country.
Tathagat waged a scathing attack on the founding pillars of
Brahminical civilization based on unnatural and inhuman inequalities, unnatural
division of humanity into four Verna and demolished it. While criticizing the
false beliefs and to know what is the truth, Buddha stipulated 10 principles
for the human being and these ten principles are as follows;
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because you have come to know about it from others.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because it is being practiced from time immemorial.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because it is being practiced as custom and usage.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because it is written in the Holy Books.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because it is written in the scriptures.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because it is written in the pious books of justice.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because in outer appearance it appears to be right.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because your belief says it is right.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because it appears to be right.
- Do not believe in a view or
practice only because holy men or Saints or God men say it.
Test whatever you believe or going to believe or do or going to do
with your own experience on the following parameters;
- Does not insult others?
- Does not create hatred and
desires in other?
- Does not make you slave of
desires?
- Does not incite you to kill
others?
- Does not encourage you to tell
lie?
- Does not enhance or inflict
sufferings?
If your beliefs or acts are encouraging you to do any of the above
things, then without even a second leave and forget pursuing those believes and
actions. If your beliefs are going to enhance happiness and peace then
immediately without second thought make them as part of your life.
On the contrary, the Hindu Religion and social system has been
formulated on the basis of Chaturvarna categorization. The human being have
been segmented into four different segments namely Brahmin, Kshtrias, Vaish and
Sudras (Sudras further divided into touchable and untouchable). As per the
religious believes of Hindus and as written in their scriptures, such a
fragmentation is made by the GOD himself. The main proponent of this has been
the initial and oldest scripture of Hinduism named “Rig Veda”, wherein, it has
been stated that Brahmins have born from the mouth of Brahama, Kshatriyas from
shoulders, Vaishas from Thighs and Sudras from feet.
The edifice of Hindu theology and social system stands on these
four pillars. These four unequal pillars of Hindu social system place Brahmin
on the top of this pyramidical structure followed by Kshtrias and Vaish and
Sudras at the bottom of this hierarchy. All these four classifications of human
beings are related to each other on the basis of relationship of higher and
lower. Brahmins are placed at the apex of this stratum conferred with and
enjoying the best available material and worldly pleasures. Right to education
viz. reading and writing of scriptures was reserved for the apex class in this
social system and conferred divinity upon them and projected themselves as
representatives of God. They declared themselves as ‘Devtas’ in this land. As
per Hindu scriptures, how so ever grim or heinous crime a Brahmin may commit,
he is not to be sentenced with death penalty, whereas, even for a petty
offence, a Sudra could be sentenced with a death penalty.
Hindu scriptures are filled with religious dictates at many places
prescribing that even to use disrespectful language while conversing with a
child of Brahmin is offensive and condemnable. These scriptures stipulate that
a small kid of ten years belonging to Brahmin Verna is entitle to command and
demand more respect even from the eighty years old person of Sudra Verna. In
case a village is engulfed in a fire, the Brahmin or their families are
entitled to be evacuated first and this has been stipulated as a religious duty
imposed upon those placed in the lower hierarchy of Verna system. To serve, to
worship and to bestow valuable gifts giving worldly enjoyment to Brahmins has
been prescribed as a religious duty upon the persons of lower Verna for
attainment of Heavens. To what extent it could be explained, the Hindu
scriptures are filled with praise of Brahmins.
There is no place for ‘Sudras’ and ‘Untouchables’ in the Hindu
Religious system. There is only one duty prescribed on ‘Untouchables’ to serve
the people of upper Verna. As per religious philosophy of Hinduism, servitudes
imposed upon “untouchables” is a result of their bad deeds or Karmas in
earlier births and to bear the results of such bad deeds of earlier birth, they
have born in this society as “Untouchables”. The Hindu scriptures prescribe
specific orders and directions for Sudras and “Untouchables” which throw ample
light on the position of these people in the Hindu social order. The position
of Sudras and Untouchables could be well understood if we minutely examine the
religious dictates contained in Vedas, Dharamshastra, Brahamanas, Grihsutras,
Manu Smriti, Other Smritis, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, Satayarath Prakash and
other Religious literatures in Sanskrit or Hindi. These religious orders impose
various kinds of restrains, condemnations, duties without remuneration and
punishments and fines for omissions and commissions of such upon Sudras and
Untouchables. These have been prescribed to be observed by them in their every
day social interaction. Some of these are enumerated as follows:
- The God has given only one
order to Sudras and that is to serve upper three Verna.
(Manu)
- For their services towards
upper three Verna, Sudras shall be given the left over food and tattered
rags.
(Manu)
- If a Sudra becomes rich by
whatever methods, he should not be allowed to accumulate such wealth as
wealthy Sudra causes discomfort to members of higher Verna. The king
should dispossess him of his all the wealth and distribute one half
amongst the Brahmins and second half in the state treasury.
(Manu)
- If any person of lower Verna
adopts the profession of persons of higher Verna and earn wealth, the king
shall dispossess him of such wealth and throw him out of the village.
(Manu)
- If a Sudra enchants Vedic Mantras
his tongue should be cut.
(Manu)
- If a Sudra abuses Brahmins his
tongue should be cut.
(Manu)
- If a Sudra in arrogance of
knowledge dares to preach Brahmins, the king shall pour boiling oil in his
mouth and ears.
(Manu)
- If a person of lower Caste dares
to sit on the bed in equal to the person of higher Caste, king shall brand
him on buttocks with hot iron rods.
(Manu)
- If any Sudra observes
atonement, penance, meditation or yagya, king shall punish him like the
Rama has punished Rishi Shambhok by chopping his head with sword.
(Uttar Ram Chritra)
- With whatever limb, a Sudra
attacks a Brahmin, the same limb should be chopped.
(Manu)
- If a Brahmin see a dead body of
a Sudra, he will get purified only after seeing the sum.
(Manu)
- If a Sudra engages in sexual
intercourse with a Brahmin lady his male organ should be chopped. A child
born of a Sudra (father) and Brahmin (mother) is Chandala.
(Manu)
- One should not take food cooked
in the house of a women of lose character, thief, Chamar, Scavenger, Washer
man.
(Manu)
- Any Brahmin who educates Sudra
or gives him knowledge will grope in the dark along with Sudra and fall in
hell.
(Prashar)
- A Brahmin in need, without any
hesitation, is entitled to snatch wealth and money of a Sudra. The wealth
of Sudra is for his service. Brahmin is Master of Sudra and all the wealth
of a Sudra in real sense belongs to a Brahmin.
- One loses age if takes food at
the house of a Goldsmith and noble name and fame if accepts food grains of
a Chamar.
(Manu)
- Any Brahmin, Kshitriya or
Vaishya who marries daughter of a Sudra, along with his children falls
into the category Sudra.
(Attre)
- The forefathers and Devas do
not accept food cooked by a married Sudra wife of a Brahmin and a Brahmin
marrying a Sudra wife shall not attain heaven.
(Prashar)
- A person born as Brahmin can
preach a King or can be appointed as a Preacher for delivering religious
discourses, while a Sudra, howsoever intelligent and knowledgeable he may
be, cannot be appointed as a Preacher.
(Manu, Attre)
- If in any kingdom, a Sudra acts
as a Justice, that kingdoms or nation falls and erode in no times.
(Manu)
- An enlightened Brahmin falls
from stature, get disgraced and losses his sheen if he eats food, indulges
in social interaction and imparts knowledge to a Sudra.
(Manu)
- The food grains of a Brahmin is
like nectar, whereas, the food grains of Sudra is like blood.
(Attre)
- Charge 2% monthly interest from
a Brahmin, 3% from Kshtriya, 4% from a Vaisha and 5% from a Sudra.
(Manu)
- Brahmin should put Sharma,
Kshtriya to affix Verma, Vaish to put Gupta and Sudra should not use
anything with their name.
(Manu)
- If a Sudra insults any person
of higher Verna, his tongue should be pierced with hot iron nails.
(Manu)
- If a king seeks guidance on any
religious matter from a Sudra, his kingdom engulfs destruction.
(Manu)
- If a Brahmin eats food from
Sudra and dies subsequently, he takes birth as Sudra in next birth.
(Manu)
- Persons belonging to Chamar,
Bhangi and Chandala Castes shall habitat outside the precincts of Villages
and Towns without any property and wealth. Their wealth should be dogs,
donkeys, should have clothes taken out from dead bodies, should eat in
earthen utensils, should wear ornaments of iron. Knowledgeable and good
consciences people should not give them company. They should inter marry
and shall have social interaction amongst themselves. They should use any
specific mark or thing through which they could be recognized from a
distance by the persons of high Caste.
(Manu)
- If a Brahmin touches a Sudra,
he should purify himself by taking a handful of water and by eating Ghee.
(Attre)
As good and health sperms in
human body are generated due to healthy food, so, if a Brahmin eats food
grains of Sudra and then produces a child, the child so produced will also
be like Sudra.
(Manu)
- One shall take bath and purify
himself after talking to Chamar, Bhat, Bheel, Dhobi, Nat and Bhangi.
(Manu)
- In the Uttar Ram Charitra, to
maintain and upkeep Chatur (Four) Verna system, Rama beheaded Mahatma
Shambhokh (a Shudra) who was observing worshiping and penance. Penance and
worship was solely considered the domain of High caste and the to service
three Verna was the duty of Sudras. This was conduct of beholder of
Conduct.
(Uttar Ram Chritra)
- In Bhagwat, Sri Krishna claimed
and declared himself as ‘God’ and said that he himself has created ‘Women’
and ‘Sudra’ as ‘Papayoni’ to bear the misdeeds of their karmas
performed in earlier births.
(Srimand Bhagwad)
- Ardent supporter, master
propagator of Vedanta Philosophy and ideology, claiming themselves to be
Shankracharaya and Jagadguru also hold the view that if Sudras read or
recite Vedas, boiling hot lead shall be poured into their ears. They hold
the views that the Sudras are like cremation ground and reciting or
reading Vedas is prohibited at cremation ground. If whole universe is
created by SUPREME entity and if each human is created by that SUPREME
authority then it could be termed as sheer hypocrisy and pretence on the
part of Vedanis to stipulate and execute sentences / penalties (death
penalty) on Sudras and Ati-Sudras to recite or read Vedas. One can see as
to how much difference is there in what they say and what they do. How can
such pretenders be called Jagatgurus?. They even do not deserve to be
called Gurus on this land..
- Goswami Tulsi Das, injected
hatred, viciousness, brutality in the mind of Caste Hindus by writing “Ram
Chritra Manas”. Surpassing all limits of decency fixed for human behaviour
for judging and respecting a knowledgeable and competent human being, he
laid down in his ‘Long Religious Verse’ that a Brahmin should be revered
even if he is a duffer or without any virtue and imposed prohibition of
veneration and admiration of a Sudra who is knowledgeable, competent and
full of virtues. He did not stop their and further said that a Drum, a
Stupid, a Sudra, an Animal and a women are fit to be thrashed and
condemned.
(Ram Chritra Manas)
- Another segment of Hindus known
as ‘Arya Samajists’ claimed themselves to be staunch reformists and said
to have believe in and propagated equality of human being from birth. See
what Swami Dayanand, founder of above movement has to say about Sudra and
Ati-Sudra in his eminent work under the title ‘Satyarth Prakash’. He says
that do not eat food cooked by Chamar, Scavenger and Chandalas. Food
cooked by a Brahmin or a person of Higher Caste of Hindu should only be
taken. The body of Chandala is filled with foul and stinking odors,
whereas, body of Brahmin generates blood and sperms of pure order.
Swami Dayanand, rather than breaking the barriers of Caste
actually strengthened and perpetuated it when he reposed his firm belief in the
Chatur Verna and upheld it as cardinal principle of Hinduism. In his view, if a
Hindu does not belief in Verna System, he is not a true Hindu. He is of the
view that four Verna system has its roots in Vedas and as a Muslim is not a
true Muslin if he does not believe in holy Koran or a Christian is not a true
Christian if he does not believe in holy Bible, similarly, if a Hindu does not
believe a in Chatur Verna system stipulated in the Vedas, he can not claim to
be a true Hindu (Arya).
Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi was of the view that the one who does
not believe in four Verna and has no faith in them is not a Hindu. In the views
of Swami Dayanand, four Verna are essential in the society but has to be based
on virtues, trade and nature of human beings but the genesis of it has roots in
birth of a person in Hindu society. As a counter argument, it would be apt to
state that till this time, no Barometer has been invented which has capability
to test the virtues, qualities and nature of human beings. Both Sanatani Hindus
and Arya Samjists firmly believe in the Chatur Verna and Caste system in Hindu
society and practice it.
The above social, cultural maxims were firmly implemented in the
society by the Hindu Kings and Emperors and were observed as Rule / Law of the
State and Caste Hindu observed these religious dictums as their religious duty.
Resultantly, Brahmins attained the supreme position in the society and Sudra
and Untouchables slated at the bottom of this vicious system pushed in the dark
hole of miseries and hell. The gap between Brahmins and Sudras is like that of
the distance between sky and the bottom of sea and this could be seen in the
daily life in this society even today.
Prior to the birth of venerated Baba Sahib Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar,
the conditions of untouchables were worse than the animals. They did not have
any right in this society. There were robbed of any social interaction in the
society. They were assigned most odious and dreadful trades and professions for
their sustenance. They were compelled to live to most deplorable and inhuman
conditions on the periphery of village and towns in huts and shanties, has to
survive on left over food and wears tattered cloth. They were not allowed to do
any trade or business. They were not permitted to get employment in the service
of state as these doors were firmly shut for them. They were living in extreme
poverty. They were compelled to live without any social, political religious
rights. The Caste Hindus believed it to be their pious duty to perpetuate
atrocities on untouchable and expected rewards for such a conduct. The Hindu
scriptures declared Untouchables as ‘Paapyoni ‘. Untouchables
also bore these atrocities and torturous life as God’s will and as a result of
bad deeds committed by them in their earlier Janmas (lives) and
did not wage any struggle to come out of such situations.
Despite all this, the untouchables were termed as Hindus but they
were not allowed to enter temples, fetch water from common well, were not
allowed to live in the village and town habitations of Caste Hindus. They were
not allowed to touch caste Hindus, even the fall of shadow of untouchable on
them was taken as pollution needing penance and performance of rituals for
purification. They were not allowed to wear gold and silver ornaments. They
could never dream of a respectable life. These restrains and chains were
imposed upon Sudras and Untouchables in the name of religion. They were passing
life in utmost destitute, invective and harangue. It appeared as if they were
born as slaves and would die as slaves. This so called land named Hindustanwas
like hell for Sudras and Untouchables. Their condition was well explained by
eminent poet Sir Iqbal in one of his poems when he said that “Ah…Hindustan
is like hell for Sudra”.
They were insulted in the name of religion at all places. As it
was written in the Hindu Scriptures that education is prohibited for Sudra and
Women, as such the doors of schools were firmly shut for them. They were merely
passing their life in extreme darkness and without any ray of hope, rather then
getting up and striving for better tomorrow, they blamed their luck for their
poor conditions. They took their abysmal condition as will of the God and fruit
for their ill deeds in earlier Karmas (deeds). There population was spread
across India in almost all the states, in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, Caste
Hindu shopkeepers never use to accept money from them through hand, rather they
were compelled to put money in a wooden spoon after washing the coin in the
water bucket placed at each shop and the coin was picked by another picker from
that wooden spoon. Similarly, the sold goods were never placed in their hand
but put on a clamp for picking up. At public drinking water tanks, a separate
funnel of wooden or iron was kept for Sudras to drink water. When thirsty, they
use to take these funnels and Caste Hindus use to pour water from a distance in
these funnels. Observance of Hindu Religion, rituals was much strict in the
Southern parts of the country as compared to Northern India. Therefore, the
Sudras and Untouchables were kept at prescribed distance while interacting with
Caste Hindus in almost all parts of the country. As it was well established and
practiced customary belief that even a shadow of a Sudra corrupts the Caste
Hindu and their food, Sudras and Untouchables were kept at bay. In Madras
state, Sudras were kept at fairly away from a Brahmin judge while giving
evidence in the Court of Law. In Malabar state, Untouchables were not allowed
to walk on the roads leading to temples. During the rein of Peshwas in
Maharashtra, Untouchables were not allowed to walk on the road while Caste
Hindu was walking. They were made to tie a black string either around their
neck or on their arm for identification so that Caste Hindu can identify them
from a distance and can protect themselves from their shadow or footprints. A
promulgation existed in the Peshwa Raj laying down tying of a broom behind back
and to hang an earthen pot in the neck for Untouchables so that their
footprints are wiped out by the broom and while walking on roads they shall not
spit on road but in the earthen pot handed in their neck.
In Rajashtan and Uttar Pradesh, Untouchable scavengers were made
to wear hen feather in their headgear and use to make a special kind of alert
while walking on road so that Caste Hindus may not touch them. If a utensil of
Caste Hindus was mistakenly touched by an Untouchable, putting it in fire
purified it. While solemnizing marriage, untouchables were prohibited to beat
drum and other musical instruments while passing through pathways of Caste Hindu
habitation. If any one dares to do so, there use to be bloody scuffles.
Palanquins was prohibited, hence, untouchable bride and groom both had to
compulsorily walk. The groom was not allowed to ride horse, which was a common
ceremony while performing marriage. They have to get up when a Brahmin or a
Kshtriya passes by, if he does not do so, he was mercilessly beaten and
insulted. Their vocations and sources of livelihood were limited. Therefore,
they were living under horrifying poverty. Due to poverty and lack of education
they were living the life of an animal. Such conditions killed their spirit to
tide over deplorable conditions. Hinduism considered Sudras and Untouchables as
lowest and do not recognize them even a humans. When such a situation prevailed
for millenniums, a person of ordinary knowledge can well imagine that plight of
Sudras and Untouchables were like that of animals.
Most revered Baba Sahib Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, possessing intense
and deep knowledge, one of the most highly educated Indian of all times was
born on 14 th April 1891 at Mhow Cantt. in Madhya Pradesh state in the family
of untouchables. He was full of self-determination, bravery, keenness and
possessed all needed qualities required for becoming a great man. Like any
other untouchable, he also had to suffer and undergo atrocious discrimination
in Hindu social, cultural and religious system. Every insult at the hands of
Caste Hindus deeply affected his mind but each such incident fired up his
inspiration and confidence and exhorted him to work for the cause of upliftment
of Sudras and Untouchables. This became the sole purpose of his life, which he
pursed till his last breath. He took upon himself the uphill task of ending
untouchability in Hindu social, cultural and religious system and uplift the
downtrodden untouchables.
Prior to Baba Sahib Ambedkar, a number of Social Reformers,
Sadhus, Saints, Mahatmas born on this land and strive to work for removal of
untouchability but they failed to diagnose the symptoms of untouchability in
Hindu religious, social and cultural system and administered wrong medicine for
the disease of untouchability in Hindu society. They only understood the outer
symptoms of Untouchability. During deliberations in the Round Table Conferences
in London, it was claimed by the representatives of upper castes that Gandhi
was the sole representative of Untouchables and whatever he had said should be
accepted as the people consider him Mahatma. Dr. Ambedkar roared and said that
during last 5000 years in the history of India, Mahatmas have come and Mahatmas
have gone but untouchables have remained untouchables. Therefore, whatever
Gandhi says should not be accepted and the Government should prepare and
implement a concrete for social, economic and political emancipation of
untouchables. Baba Sahib Ambedkar went deep and tried to identify the germs,
which have been spreading untouchability into Hindu social and religious order.
He prepared himself with extremely potent tools in form of knowledge,
capabilities, dedication and concern for the cause and waged a fierce fight
against untouchability.
In the history of untouchable, he is the sole intellectual
authority who after deep study told this world that the roots of untouchability
are deeply embedded in the Vedas and Scriptures of Hinduism and they perpetuate
atrocities, punishments, restrains and prohibitions on Sudras and deny them a
dignified living as humans in the society. He held the firm views that the
germs of untouchability grow in the minds of Caste Hindus from their birth
itself and till these germs are destroyed, untouchability cannot be eradicated
from the society. After deep and thorough research, Baba Sahib Ambedkar held
the view that till Untouchables have faith in the Hindu Scriptures, they will
remain untouchables. The Four Verna system in Hindu social order has been
conferred divine dispensation and is propagated from time immemorial from one
generation to another of Caste Hindus. The foundations of Hindu religion are
firmly rooted in inequality, disdain for Sudras, perpetuating atrocities on
them as a part of Religious duties by Caste Hindus and closing all paths
leading to their progress. Baba Sahib Ambedkar tirelessly worked for and waged
a struggle for breaking the chains of untouchability. By presenting the case of
untouchables causes in most fearless manner at ‘Round Table Conferences’
at London, he proved himself to be an intellectual, philosopher and thinker par
excellence. This served as a stepping-stone in the history of upliftment of
untouchables in this land. He fought for political rights for untouchables and
demanded Liberty and Equality for his people in the society. He won immense
concessions in the field of education and state employment for his people. Due
to his intense struggle, today a large number of untouchables are living a
dignified life but they have failed to wage a struggle for their brethren. He
roared like famous character of Bhim of Mahabharata and annihilated the
perpetrator of untouchability through his deep knowledge and intellect. No one
like revered BHIM (Baba Sahib Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar) was born before him and
none will take birth after him.
Poorest of the poor, damned, destitute were provided a voice and
were united to wage a struggle for their rights. This great miracle happened
due to untiring efforts of Baba Sahib. Untouchables were united and they waged
struggle for reclaiming human personality. Able guidance, deep knowledge,
uncompromising leadership was provided by Baba Sahib Ambedkar. This opened
floodgates of opportunities before them including government service and due to
these efforts today you find them excelling in every field despite intense
discrimination. If they would not have been educated, they may still have been
engaged in the same vocations in which their forefathers were trapped. Baba
Sahib infused energy and confidence in half dead, exploited, helpless and poor
untouchables, which raised the spirit of self- confidence in them and this
provided a new life to their coming generations.
It is said that Nazi regime inflicted the most gruesome genocide
on the Jews during 20 th Century by killing around 7 million of them by the
Second World War. This was termed as most gruesome and heinous crime against
humanity. The conditions of untouchables were much worst. They are being there
pain grief, exploitation for over 2500 years in far worst conditions than
genocide. One cannot imagine the plight of those who are made defense less,
penniless, uneducated slaves through sinister design for over two millenniums
in most brutal manner and left to live like animals on this earth. In my humble
opinion, there suffering are of much greater scale. Untouchables of this
country have been meted out this treatment for thousands of years. There has
been no comparable example in the history of world. Even the master of slaves
in Europe and America use to touch them, use to take food cooked by them. Their
masters used to send them for education and training in various trades. In the
history of this country, Muslim slaves have established dynasties and crown was
put on their head by the Afghans and Pathan Emperors, but on the other hand, in
other Religion viz. Hinduism, there were categories of slaves whose touch was
prohibited. They were no business, no service, no trade, no land, no wealth and
no arms with them to protect themselves from their enemies. They were
prohibited by religious command through scriptures to possess all above things.
They suffered due to nauseating and torturous treatment given to them.
It is said that by sheer touch of Jesus and his disciple Peter who
walked on this earth some 2000 years ago, the leapers use to recover and life
was infused in dead bodies. I do not know whether this is correct or not. But
we have seen in our life that Baba Sahib Ambedkar infused life in untouchables
living like dead bodies. A Messiah who broke the shackles of untouchable
slavery of thousand of years and none like him may perhaps take birth on this
earth in coming times.
Baba Sahib Ambedkar, all his life, worked for creating a spirit of
self-confidence amongst untouchables. Conversion from Hinduism was one of the
arms he adopted and advocated for this purpose. In a massive congregation, he
said that by merely changing names you cannot wipe out the stigma of
untouchability. It would not be of much use, if Chamar calls himself as a
Ramdasia or a Ravidasis or Ad Dharmi Sikh or non-Sikh, a Scavenger calls
himself a Balmiki or Mazbi Sikh or a Mahar calls himself a Chokhmela Bhakt,
calling themselves by such names would not take untouchability away. Arya
Samajists, after purifying Chamars gave them the names, similarly
called Dooms as Mahashyas, Meghs and Bhatwals as Bhagats.
All such sort of names and sobriquets given by the Caste Hindus
failed to bring any improvement in the conditions of untouchables. One more
such name was added when Gandhi gave the name as ‘Harijan’. In
the eyes of Caste Hindus and other communities living in this country, such
names and sobriquets denotes untouchability in a new paradigm. It must be known
that untouchability cannot be wiped out from this society by such hypocritical
actions. If a pauper is given the name Millionaire or a feeble is called King
Kong, they do not become so merely by names. Similarly, the names such as
Ravisadias, Mazbi, Balmiki, Chokhamela, Harijans, Aryas, Mahashas, Bhagats and
so on cannot uplift the untouchables from the deep trench in which they have
been pushed in for millenniums. The Gurus and Saints born amongst untouchables
have somehow or other believed in Hindu religion. They were not much concerned
about discovering relationship amongst human beings but their main focus was to
discover relationship between man and God. Most of them did not propagated and
strived for establishing an egalitarian society but kept on parrot like
repetition that in the eyes of God all men are equal. In real sense, treating men
as equal in society and striving for creating and egalitarian society and
saying that all men are equal in the eyes of God are two different proposition.
They dies while saying that there is no higher or lower Caste, the one who
worships the God, he becomes one with him. Such Saints and Gurus did not have
any solutions for social, educational, economic problems faced by the
untouchables, which are of most importance for a human to progress in his life
and become a valuable asset for society. They only taught, these poor
untouchables, to accept their destitute conditions and get them indulged in
their follow ship or worship of God. They never preached that all men are born
equal and never tried to build the foundations of society on egalitarian
principles, rather used this treacherously stratified four Verna system to run
their own shops. All such Saints kept on reciting glorious songs in the name of
Rama, Krishna, Madhav, Hari, Vishnu, Damodar etc. and further perpetuated the
myth that they are the incarnation of God. They created heaps of literature in
the names of such Devas further perpetuating and conferring devotional laurels
on them. Therefore, these Saints, rather than striving to uproot untouchability
and artificial discriminatory Verna system, kept on watering the roots of it
and became instrumental in its spread further.
The untouchables can never expect their progress and empowerment
if they keep on following Gods and Goddesses, celebrate festivals and going to
worshipping places where they are being discriminated and have been exploited
in the past. Considering themselves, as a part of exploitative order and then
expecting progress of exploited classes cannot go hand in hand as both these
are mutually exclusive. As one dwelling in dirty water cannot expect to drink
clean and clear water or if you call illness by any other name one cannot
expect to get rid of that illness or if venom or poison is called by any other
name, it does not lose its basic characteristics of killing a person,
similarly, while living in polluted Brahminical religions, social, cultural
system, untouchables cannot expect to have a dignified existence in this
society. As by taking relevant medicine one can expect to get rid of disease,
similarly, the untouchables can expect to regain their lost rights and glory
only if they leave the rancid and putrid exploitative social, cultural and
religious system which through design have robbed them from their human
personality. Baba Sahib Ambedkar said that Lost rights are never regained
by appealing to the consciences of usurpers but through constant struggle and
sacrifice, Only goats are used for oblation not the lions.”Till the
time the Dalit people behave like goats, their exploitation will continue, the
moment they empower themselves with proper understanding of exploitative design
entwined in Brahminical social, cultural and religious system they will uproot
it. If people exploited in such a system remains in exploitative system, one
cannot expect in another thousand years to attain a life based on the
principles of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, to regain lost human personality
and rightful place in society. Baba Sahib Ambedkar has aptly said, if any
person keeps believing in a system in which he was exploited, made slave and
disposed of his rightful entitlements, no one can emancipate him till he leave
and reject that exploitative order. Therefore, it is in the interest of these
exploited people to completely disconnect themselves from exploitative socio,
cultural and religious system.
The movement of their awakening is on and is spreading at steady
pace. A large number of dedicated missionaries of Phule–Ambedkar ideological
mission are tirelessly dedicating their efforts in telling their own people on
the exploitative Brahminical socio, cultural and religious order. The educated
people who do not read their history and enlighten their generations about it
are treading a dangerous path, which could spell doom on them.
Baba Sahib Ambedkar announced in 1935 that he was born as Hindu
untouchable but he will not die as Hindu. Only in 1956, he converted to Buddha
Dhamma. It took almost 21 years for a great man like Ambedkar to prepare him
and his people. He studied the minutest details of prevailing religions in
India and advocated following the Religion propagated by Lord Buddha. He was of
the view that the social, cultural and religious foundations and understanding
of Buddha Dhamma, Christianity and Islam are different from Brahminical
religions stream. The way of life propagated by Thatagat Buddha is the
scientific way of life, as this does not believe in high and low amongst
humans, divide people in segments and attach purity and impurity with them.
Comparative analysis reveals that Wisdom, Logic and Psychology are founding
pillars of Buddha Dhamma. The principles enunciated in this religion could be
tested on the yardstick of logic. Right Conduct, social equality, live and let
live are the main founding pillars of the Dhamma propagated by Thatagat. It
does not create Sudra and Untouchable in its order and treats every one equal.
World over, this country is held in immense reverence as Thatagat
took birth on this land. Staunch opponents of Buddhism could not digest this
admiration and veneration. They held Buddhism responsible for breaking their
concocted, illogical and false myths that Brahmins are born from the mouth of
Brahma while Sudras were born from his feet. Buddhism also negated and opposed
animal oblation in Homas for happiness of Devtas. This truth was so bitter that
the proponent and followers of Brahminical socio, cultural and religious system
could not digest and left no stone unturned for uprooting Buddhism from the
land of its birth. India rose to glorious pinnacle during the reigns of Emperor
Chandragupt Mauraya and his descendent Priyadarshi Ashoka, the Great. His own
Brahmin General Pushyamitra, killed King Vridrath, and the glory of Buddhism
was overpowered and decimated by Brahminical religious, social and cultural
ideology. Again, new editions of Brahminical scriptures were written
establishing socio, cultural and religious supremacy of Brahminical doctrines
which differentiated between man and man and introduced the concept of
untouchability in the society. This newly created Religious literature and
Codes of social interaction amongst people living in the society were conferred
divine origination that pushed millions of human being into dark ages who were
made to live their lives worse than slaves for thousands of years. This
perpetuated mental slavery in the minds of such people who were unable to break
the strong walls of this mental slavery for thousands of years. Ambedkar was
born amongst such exploited classes of people. After studying the evil design
of notorious people, Ambedkar made up his mind to leave Hinduism and converted
to Buddhism on 14 th October 1956 with lakhs of people. On the conversion day,
he declared that he is reborn, as he has come out of filth of Hindu Dharma. In
the history of this country, after Ashoka the Great, it is Baba Sahib Ambedkar
who revived Buddhism. Venerated Baba Sahib Ambedkar, like an able physician,
diagnosed the problem of untouchability and worked through out his life to
treat and cure the patients of untouchability. He became their “Liberator”. He
very well knew that the roots of untouchability are in the Brahminical
religion. He infused life in the mentally, psychologically, pauperized and
lifeless untouchables and liberated them from such slavery. He exhorted them to
adopted Buddhism if they want to get rid of mental slavery. It is an
everlasting truth that whatever Ambedkar has done for his people no saint or
Mahatma, Guru, Rishi or Muni has ever thought of doing.
Why Ambedkar converted to Buddhism? The main purpose behind such a
decision was to unite the segregated and spread out untouchable castes for the
purpose of developing one culture and society on the lines of Muslims and
Christians with the purpose that by such a move, untouchable castes would
become force to recon with in the affairs of this country and become a ruling class
over a period of time. In one of his addresses, he exhorted his followers by
telling them to write on the walls of their houses that they were slaves
of yester years but they want to become ruler of this land. He wanted
his people to come out of treacherous web of Brahminical scriptures believing
in Soul and God, Gods and Goddesses, incarnation of God, yagyas, religious
travels, Sharadha, born high and born low and untouchability. He wanted to
attach the exploited masses of India with outside vibrant world of Buddhism.
The Buddhist, world over believes India as pious place because Thatagat took
birth on this land. He wanted to link Indian Buddhist with this enormous world
community believing in the gospel of Buddha.
Baba Sahib Ambedkar was of the view that Dharma is required only
by poor and exploited. Exploited, destitute, grief-stricken and depressed
people require the solace of religion. Poor people live on the hope that
conditions for them will improve. If even this solace is not there, the life for
them becomes an unbearable burden, a motionless activity. Dharma makes everyone
a positive thinking person. It gives a message to poor, exploited and destitute
persons that there is no need to worry as the life is full with hope and the
hope shall bring better life to them. This is the sole solace that leaves an
indelible imprint of Dharma on the minds of poor, exploited and destitute and
they remain firmly attached to the religion. He says, when Christianity was
spreading in Europe, in those days, the conditions of Rome and surrounding
areas around it were pathetic. People were not having mouthful to eat and few
spoonful of porridge or Khichdi use to be distributed to the fill the stomach.
In such times, the gospel of Christianity was spreading, poor, destitute,
distressed and harassed people were following that religion. Exploited,
harassed and grief-stricken people became followers of this religion. Lord
Gibbon once said that Christianity is a religion of beggars. This religion
became the religion of whole Europe and later on spread to many other countries
on other continents. Lord Gibbon did not live long enough to get the answer of
his comment and even if he had survived he would have himself seen the answer
to his comment.
Baba Sahib further says that some people may say that Buddhism is
a religion of Bhangis and Chamars. Brahmins use to address even Thatagat Buddha
in disrespectful manner. But we must know that in foreign countries, if you
place pictures of Rama, Krishna and Shanker for sale, none will buy them but on
the contrary, if you place the pictures of Tathagat Buddha, none of the picture
will be left with you. In other words, outside India, if anyone is known, it is
only Lord Buddha, then how can one stop the spread of such a vibrant Dhamma which
believes in welfare of all beings. Some people would say what difference it
would make if untouchables become Buddhist. This is a very cunning and
malicious question. Rich people do not require religion. Those who are on high
positions they have luxurious life. They have palatial house to live in and
army of servants to look after them. Hence, for such person there is no
necessity of any religion. Its only Tathagat Buddha who waged a fierce battle
against inhuman inequalities and unnatural classification of humans through
Four Verna system. He uprooted and inactivated this unnatural and artificial
Verna system from this land for around 1400 years.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar administered and prescribed 22 vows to his
followers during the historic religious conversion to Buddhism on 15 October
1956 at Deeksha Bhoomi, Nagpur in India. The conversion to Buddhism by around
800,000 people was historic because it was the largest religious conversion,
the world has ever witnessed. He prescribed these oaths so that there may be
complete severance of bond with Hinduism. These 22 vows struck a blow at the
roots of Hindu beliefs and practices. These vows could serve as a bulwark to
protect Buddhism from confusion and contradictions. These vows could liberate
converts from superstitions, wasteful and meaningless rituals, which have led
to pauperization of masses and enrichment of upper castes of Hindus.
The famous 22 vows are:
- I shall have no faith in Brahma,
Vishnu and Mahesh nor shall I worship them.
- I shall have no faith in Rama
and Krishna who are believed to be incarnation of God nor
shall I worship them.
- I shall have no faith in ‘Gauri’,
‘Ganapatii’ and other gods and goddesses of Hindus nor shall
I worship them.
- I do not believe in the
incarnation of God.
- I do not and shall not believe
that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of Vishnu. I believe this to be sheer
madness and false propaganda.
- I shall not perform ‘Shraddha’
nor shall I give ‘Pind-Dan’.
- I shall not act in a manner
violating the principles and teachings of the Buddha.
- I shall not allow any
ceremonies to be performed by Brahmins.
- I shall believe in the equality
of man.
- I shall endeavor to establish
equality.
- I shall follow the ‘Noble
Eightfold Path’ of the Buddha.
- I shall follow the ‘Paramitas’
prescribed by the Buddha.
- I shall have compassion and
loving kindness for all living beings and protect them.
- I shall not steal.
- I shall not tell lies.
- I shall not commit carnal sins.
- I shall not take intoxicants
like liquor, drugs etc.
- I shall endeavor to follow the
noble eightfold path and practice compassion and loving kindness in every
day life.
- I renounce Hinduism which is
harmful for humanity and impedes the advancement and development of
humanity because it is based on inequality, and adopt Buddhism as my
religion.
- I firmly believe the Dhamma of
the Buddha is the only true religion.
- I believe that I am having a
re-birth.
- I solemnly declare and affirm
that I shall hereafter lead my life according to the principles and
teachings of the Buddha and his Dhamma.
If you analyze, the first six vows were administered for taking
out the Brahminical religious, cultural and social filth from the minds of
followers. The next seven vows (seven to thirteen) were relating to inculcating
Buddhist Dhamma in the life of human being. The further nine vows (fourteen to
twenty two) were relating of building human personality on the laudable ideals
propagated by Tathagat for humans.
Summing up:
Today, millions of Untouchables are enjoying benefits of struggle
waged by Baba Sahib Ambedkar. A large number of people from these depressed and
exploited classes are living dignified, respectable and easy life. Today most
of them are having facilities and luxuries, which their forefathers of a
generation ago may not even have dreamt. There is no second though while saying
that most of them have turned out to be utmost selfish, self-centered and
thankless persons. They neither have started any movement for improving the
conditions of their own less educated poor kith and kin nor they could move
themselves on the path shown by the Venerable Baba Sahib. Some enjoy the
representation in Parliament and State Legislatures in large number but they
hardly take up any matter concerning their own people. A number of them have
risen to the apex level in the administration of the affairs of the state, but
have miserably failed to educate, guide and enthuse motivation in their own
people. A good number of them suffer from phobia of inferiority complex and
only remember Baba Sahib Ambedkar when in trouble. Generally, a good number of
them behave like Caste Hindus and try to conceal their identity. Except in few
pockets of this country, they have failed to raise their voice on the
discrimination faced by them and their fellow beings.
Educated Class in any community of people provides the leadership
and wages a social movement for attainment of their lost rights. But I lament
while saying that the educated class of untouchables has served as stumbling
block in building together a social movement for tilting the balance of power
in their favour. The fearful fact is that the state of affairs in a state where
the % of population of Scheduled Caste is the highest in the country is quite
pathetic. When I say so, I am referring to Punjab.
Friends, every day is a new day. Every moment is an auspicious
moment. If we could not think on these lines all yesterdays, ….Oh…brethren of
mine, let’s resolve today this very moment to start thinking and acting by come
together and to strive for attainment of rightful place as empowered human
beings in this society. For the knowledge and for the betterment of our
generations, it is our pious duty to enlighten them by telling;
- That Tathagat Buddha walked on
this land and demolished the false and stratified social, religious,
cultural system and librated the masses by propagating fresh gospel.
- That their forefathers were the
original inhabitants of this land;
- That the king like Priyadarshi
Asoka the Great was born here who established a just order and in whose
reign thiscountry was called “Golden Sparrow”.
- That saint like Kabir,
Ravidass, Chokhamela were born here who preached equality and compassion.
- That Rashtrapita Jyoti Rao
Phule and Mata Savitri Bhai Phule, great human beings of extreme
compassion and knowledge devoted their whole life for empowerment and
upliftment of untouchables.
- That Liberator like Baba Sahib
Ambedkar was born amongst them who worked and fought tirelessly and
enabled them of capabilities for taking the struggle forward.
Friends, the Liberator like Tathagat and Venerable Baba Sahib
Ambedkar take birth on this earth once in thousands of years, hence, lucky are
those who come to know them and groomed under their teachings and compassion.
Sadly, persons of our generation are not such lucky ones. Nevertheless,
sanctimonious responsibility of taking this struggle forward has been fallen
upon all of us. Let’s, without any hesitation, come together and follow the
time-tested path shown by our emancipators. On this Birth Anniversary of Baba
Sahib Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar, all of us may pledge to;
- Let’s strive to tread on the
paths shown by the Liberator;
- Let’s become our own guiding
light;
- Let’s move to build a
fraternity of empowered Dalit humanity;
- Let’s work together for unity
and attainment of human rights of disposed Dalits.
- Let’s work together to build an
egalitarian and strong Bharat.
-
It is time to get up and act than to sit and observe.
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