Many Hindu revivalist organisations like the RSS, Arya Samaj etc. are currently engaged in a much-publicised country-wide “drive to abolish untouchability,” spending crores of rupees on such a show business.
The conversion of untouchables and tribals to Islam, Christianity and Buddhism has unnerved these communal elements and forced them to “fall in love” with these dehumanised lot. Hence, this sudden surge of “Hindu unity conferences” all over India, in turn provoking communal unrest. But many innocent Dalits, and even some Hindus have been deceived by this rope-trick. Therefore, we want to clarify the whole thing. Untouchability is a problem that has come down the centuries as part of our four-fold chatur varna (caste system)- Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra. The Untouchables are called panchamas because they are outside the caste system. Hence outcastes. Being at the bottom of the caste pyramid, they are the last and the lowliest, socially the meanest, economically the poorest and culturally the most deprived. Their very touch or even a look leads to pollution.
This hierarchical caste system can be compared to a pyramid. School children during playtime form a human pyramid with half-a-dozen or more standing or sitting at the bottom and the rest climbing one upon the other to form the shape of a pyramid. As the human scaffolding tapers off, there is space only for one man at the top. The Hindu caste system is the exact replica of such a human pyramid. At the bottom, the Untouchables form the base of this pyramid carrying the weight of the entire society. Above their shoulders and back we find the vast number of shudras who in turn carry the Vaishyas. Above them stand the Kshatriyas. It is the Brahmin who stands at the top and forms the apex of this caste pyramid enjoying the supreme pleasure of the summit. He carries none and hence enjoys all the freedom to manoeuvre his body and use his mind. He stands like a lord bestriding this whole Hindu human pyramid. Such a hierarchical caste pyramid is something unique, unheard of in any other part of the world. The caste system is the quintessence of the Hindu genius. Like the Egyptian pyramids built by the Pharoshs, the Hindu caste pyramid is ageless, deathless. Wonder of all wonders. It is clear from this that untouchability is in-built within the caste system, which in turn is the foundation on which the edifice of Hindu religion rests sanctioned by the Vedas and the gods.
What will happen if the Untouchables forming the base of this caste pyramid are to shake their body? Will not the entire super structure tremble and collapse? Will not those standing one above the other fall and got injured when this scaffolding collapses? The one occupying the topmost place (Brahmin) will be the worst sufferer in this mighty fall. The others are also sure to be wounded. So, who is prepared to risk this fall? Therefore, any attempt by the ones at the bottom to topple the caste scaffolding will be resisted by those standing above them – lest they fall and suffer. Self-preservation is an inborn human instinct. This well-knit caste pyramid has helped preserve the hierarchical order and the pleasures and pains that go with it: an ascending order of reverence and a descending degree of contempt.
It must now be clear that untouchability being a part of the caste system will really disappear only when the caste goes. Vivekananda, Gandhi only opposed untouchability but not the caste system. “Gandhi believed in caste and defended it with the vigor of the orthodox”, said Dr. Ambedkar and added : “The reason why the Mahatma is always supporting caste and the varna is because he is afraid that if he opposed them he will lose the place in politics”. The Constitution abolished only untouchability, not the caste system. On the other hand, the Constitution has encouraged castes at all levels giving them a legal sanction. The Courts have also upheld this in several judgments. If untouchability cannot go without abolishing caste, how are we to destroy this caste system? Several attempts have been made right from the days of the Mahavira and the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago. Dr. Ambedkar too gave deep thought to the subject and finally gave up, renouncing Hindu religion itself and embracing the atheistic Buddhism. Several social reformers too tried to attack the caste system – men lıke Basavanna, Narayana Guru, Vivekananda and Periyar EVR – but all of them failed. Gandhi too, casually attacked caste system and instantly fell a victim to a Brahmin bullet. But why has this battle against caste met with no success so far? What is so permanent and indestructible about it? How could it remain deathless?
Unfortunately, people like Gandhi have failed to understand the meaning of caste, its connotations and denotations The caste system is built on the foundation of Hindu religion which means a lot of things to a lot of people. Chiefly it includes :
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- The entire Sacred Scriptures- the Vedas, Upanishads, Shastras, Puranas and the Laws of Manu, Gita, all written, codified, interpreted and guided solely by hereditary priests who do no wrong and hence are universally acclaimed as the “Bhoodevatas“, gods of the earth.
- The theory of “karma“, rebirth, philosophy of “maya“, a whole set of unalterable customs and practices, superstitions. myths, morals, dogmas, rites, rituals, ceremonies, duties, habits, traditions, prejudices, precedents, penances, sins, faiths, vows, caste marks, evil spirits, human and animal sacrifices, snake worship, sacred trees and stones.
- The 33 crores of gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon and the system of “Jagadgurus“, “swamijis” who preside over holy “pithas” and “mutts” and the hundreds of such godmen like Sri Satya Sai Baba.
- The millions of temples that dot the length and breadth of this “holy land” and the priests that thrive on their income.
All this together constitute Hinduism, one of the “greatest” religions in the world. Even astrology, palmistry, witchcraft, sorcery are considered part of Hinduism. And this religion is built on the firm foundation of the caste system. There is no Hindu without a caste and no caste without Hinduism & the entire value system that it represents. Minus caste, Hinduism is dead. Are the crusaders against caste aware that if ever caste goes from India, Hinduism itself will disappear? Unfortunately, these crusaders against untouchability have not fully understood the implication of their statement. Will the existing Shankaracharyas tolerate any attempt to cut at the very root of Hindu religion? Are the priests ready to give up their lucrative business? Who is prepared to destroy those “Sacred Scriptures” that have held Hindus enthralled? Did the advocates of abolition of untouchability realize the dangers they are heading for? The eradication of untouchability is an impossibility under the existing social conditions. As long as caste continues, untouchability will also remain. And as long as Hinduism continues caste will also continue. Each is connected with the other. People who advocate abolition of untouchability and go gaga over the Virat Hindu Sammelan do not know what they are talking about. Let us not be fooled by such a cosmetic treatment for a disease that needs surgery: A REVOLUTION.
