Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
Current Indian society has passed laws, though debatable in their effectiveness, in removing caste status from individuals.
There is nothing to respect about the caste system of India. I find people that support it no better than those who support segregation in the US among blacks and whites.
Now I give myself the old familiar suggestion.
Caste discrimination in India is a crime against Humanity just like slavery and racism was (and is) in America.
India started just over 60 years ago. America has been working on its race problems for over 200 years. You just have to go to an Indian reservation to see the American Dalits. The fact is that 1/3 Native Women will be raped by non Native men (whites) during her life time this is a fact. I frankly don't see to much concern in America about the problems on Indian reservations. The huge difference in life expectancy and health is just two more examples of this truth.
Here are a few facts about the caste system:
-In Vedic times the caste system was flexible people moved up and down. In fact some of the Vedas was written by non Brahmins and even people who were born into a low caste. Over the centuries this system became more and more fixed in place.
-Many sects of Hinduism over the last 1000 years have rejected parts or all of the caste system.
There are good ideas in the traditional Indian caste system:
-The higher caste folks have higher standards of ethics. The brahmins were expected to live poor and simple lives. They were expected to be teachers of ethics.
-The system is based not on wealth like the American caste system. Which by the way, is becoming less and less flexible, since the Reagan revolution.
Americans tend to have a very simplistic view of the caste system.
Dr Ambedkar (one of the great freedom fighter of the dalits) who started the whole neo-Buddhist movement in India. Had a very dim view of our treatment of blacks and Native Americans.
Many Dalits like their caste status given by the government due to affirmative action programs (american term). Many groups are fighting to get that statues in the Indian courts who are not traditionally seen as Dalits.
Last edited: