For last many years, we have been advocating that the Dalits and Bahujans should try and understand that many festivals presently being observed in India, are being designed to denigrate them. Holi is one such. For details, kindly see my article “Holi: festival of Bahujan Burning” on
It explains the idea behind Holi: that is burning of Bahujans.
It explains how Adi Shankara derived so much pleasure in seeing the Budhist bhikkus being burnt alive, as narrated by none other than Swami Vivekananda.
It was a pity that the Budhist youth themselves participate in the obscenities of Holi. However, at least in two important cities, Nashik and Nagpur (Maharashtra), they have been successful in giving to the masses an alternate program to Holi, so that they are dissuaded from the undesirable bouts of drinking of liquors, bhang and other intoxicants, and in other activities not conducive to moral behavior.
Vrutratna Samrat (March 6, 2007) reported from Nashik that a huge Budhist convention was organized on that day. Budhist monks said that “the manuvadis have massacred the Budhists and celebrated Holi”. They asked the masses to remember that 84,000 Budhist viharas were destroyed by Adi Shankara and appealed all to follow the tenets of Budhism.
Another report from Nagpur said Phule-Shahu- Ambedkar Manch also organized a “dharma mitra” convention for “karma-kand dahan” i.e. burning of rituals and rites. Also, high tributes were paid to a great literary figure, who recently had a fatal road accident, a well-known author, Dr. Kishor Kale. The speakers explained how Hiranya Kashapu and Holika were killed by treachery. They also explained on the day of Holi, how Saint Tukaram Maharaj was murdered, and it was falsely propagated that he went to Vaikuntha with his human body, which only meant that his mortal remains were not found. (For details, see my above-mentioned article on website).
Such programs should be arranged all over India every year. | consider that organizing such programs keeps the Budhist boys away from joining their friends in unholy activities of Holi. Only advising them is not sufficient; we must give them alternative programs to keep them busy for the whole day.
Divali, Dasara and Holi are the three important festivals of India. It is said Divali is the festival of Vaishyas, Dasara of Kshatriyas and Holi of shudras. There seems to be no festival specifically meant for Brahmins.
Bahujans have been successful in giving an alternative program to their youth on the occasion of Dasara, as they celebrate Ashok Vijaya Dashmi and anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar’s Dhamma Chakka Pavattan. If a suitable alternative is given for Holi, as some people are doing, it would be a great step. For the last few years, the people who follow Shiva Dharma are already celebrating Divali by performing Vaman Dahan in some parts of Maharashtra.
