INTRODUCTION
Cases of Dalit atrocities are on the rise in India. While the political motive of Neo Hindutva is to make a Hindu Rashtra by unifying all the castes of Hindus, the untouchability in every form still exists. According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau), there has been the rise of 1.2% of crimes against the Dalits in 2021, as compared to 2022. This trend suggests that the crimes of the so-called upper castes on the Lower caste is increasing every year, potentially doubling by 2024. The reason Dalits (also called Untouchables) are given the tag of Hindu is because of their role as a voter and a scapegoat to use them against the Muslims living in India. Despite attempts by the the neo-Hindutva Groups to assimilate Dalits in their religion, the reality is that the Dalits are still treated with Slangs. The upper-caste still don’t eat in the same plate with the Dalits, nor they allow their daughters to marry outside the caste. This is the reason that there is always the violence against every intercaste marriage in India, as caste holds significant importance in Hinduism. The so-called political motive to make India a Hindu Rashtra has just changed the scenario a little bit for the Dalits, however, once the right-wingers achieve their dreams, the reality of caste discrimination will soon be exposed to the people, and the Dalit atrocities will again become a normal scenario once India becomes a Hindu Rashtra.
UNTOUCHABILITY TO DALITS IN ANCIENT INDIA
Untouchability in ancient India reached its peak when neither Muslims nor the Christians were ruling the land of Bharat. Historical records serve as a strong evidence on the atrocities done on the Dalits and other backward castes.
The Puranas, the part of the Smriti Literature, followed by the majority of Vedantists endorse caste-discrimination. The Manu Smriti (Book of Manu) served as a Law Book in ancient India, and the atrocities mentioned in it could just make any person cry. Here is a glimpse of few of the verses from Manu Smriti to get the Idea of How strong was the discrimination in Ancient India.
The Brahmin should never invite persons of other varnas for food. In case, the latter begs the Brahmin for food, the Brahmin may give them some left-over. Even these left-over must be served not by the Brahmin but by his servants outside the house.
Manu Smriti (XI-135)
A Shudra is unfit of receive education. The upper varnas should not impart education or give advice to a Shudra.It is not necessary that the Shudra should know the laws and codes and hence need not be taught. Violators will go to as amrita hell.
(Manu Smriti IV-78 to 81)
If a Shudra arrogantly presumes to preach religion to Brahmins, the king shall have poured burning oil in his mouth and ears.
Manu Smriti (VIII-272)
A once-born man (a Sudra), who insults a twice-born man with gross invective, shall have his tongue cut out; for he is of low origin. If he mentions the names and castes (gati) of the (twice-born) with contumely, an iron nail, ten fingers long, shall be thrust red-hot into his mouth.
Manu Smriti (VIII-270)
For those unfamiliar with the difference between the Shudras and Dalits, the Shudras are the part of a Varna (Caste) system, while the Dalits are Ati-Shudra (Lower than the Shudras), as these are not considered the part of the Hindu Varna System. Those outside the Varna system are considered lower than the animals. The reason this caste system was created was just to allow certain upper sections to rule making other lower sections fight each other. This is the divide and rule policy of the upper-caste Hindus which is worse than the one created by the Britishers.
While the Britishers are often blamed for creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims of India, the reality is that the same upper-caste Hindus were enjoying lot of rights during the British rule. The upper-caste Hindus were receiving Quality education in the British Institutions. Many like Swami Vivekananda, and other pro-Hindus went outside India to receive the Quality education. Many held High paying jobs and several Government positions. While it’s a fact that Britishers inflicted significant Damage to India, their divide and rule tactics are no match to the Brahmins.
Other Smritis like Yajnavalkya Smriti and the Parashara Smriti, also speaks of the caste system in the same tone. One thus can understand the reason that why Muslims, Christians, and other minorities receive immense hatred on social media for their religion by the majority of the upper-caste Hindus. Casteism and Discrimination is in their blood, and Muslims being from outside of India are impure than the Dalits. The communities that came from outside India like Muslims and Christians are called as Mleccha (the Non-Aryan), and it is used as a slur.
Al-Biruni, the renowned Historian of the 11th Century, wrote that the Brahmins and the Kshatriya (the two upper-Castes) used to call Muslims as the Aakramankari (Invaders) and Mleccha.
Historians like Al-Biruni, Ibn-Batuta, and others have documented Caste-based Discrimination. If we go back more into History, Caste-based discrimination was at its peak during 8-9th Century C.E. The famous scholars of Hinduism like Kulluka Bhatia, Medatithi, and others have written commentaries on Manu Smriti. In Medieval India, the same History on atrocities on Dalit were written by the scholars like Al-Biruni. Even Timur Lane has written in his biography that certain people from the lower-castes came to him and asked him to free them from the claws of Brahmins. The Britishers have also written the same. The History speaks for itself and no matter how much you try to erase the History, the reality and truth will show itself.
VARNA VYAVASTHA (THE CASTEIST SYSTEM OF HINDU SOCIETY)
The mistreatment of untouchables in India, both historically and presently stems from the Varna Vyavastha (The Caste System of Hindus) preached by almost all the Hindu Scriptures including Vedas, Puranas, Bhagwad Gita, Mahabharata, e.t.c.
According to the Hindu Scriptures, particularly Veda, the Brahmins were created from the Mouth of Brahma, the Kshatriyas were created from the arms, the vaishyas from the thighs, and shudras from the feet of Brahma.
As a result, Brahmins are meant to serve as priests, or teachers, and are not allowed to do nothing accept teaching or acting as a priest. The Kshatriyas serves as the warrior class as they were born from the shoulders and arms of the Brahma, the Vaishyas will deal in the Business and agricultural works, while the Shudra will only serve the other castes, as he is born from the feet.
The Dalits, Muslims, and Christians face severe discrimination as they do not belong to the Varna Vyavastha and are considered lower than the Shudras. The Caste System is an extremely complex system with sub-castes created within different Varnas to further entrench people in the shackles of the Caste-based discrimination. Even among the Shudras, there are further divisions. Such is the condition of the Caste-based discrimination in India. Several acts for the protection of Dalit from the atrocities by the upper-castes were made, however, in the new India ruled by the Hindu right-wingers, the aim is to get rid of the reservation system given to Backward Classes and the Dalits. Muslims are at higher target right now. The plans to kickout Muslims is underway. The bills like CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) is a way to kickout and kill majority of the Muslims in India. The Uniform Civil Code is underway with a plan to snatch all the rights from Muslims living in India.
PUNISHMENTS FOR SHUDRAS, DALITS, AND OTHER LOWER CASTES
In ancient India, both the Shudras and Dalits were prohibited from reciting or even listening to the Vedas and other scriptures. Their shadows were considered impure, and were forbidden from receiving any kind of education. Punishments such as pouring Lead inside their ears were inflicted if they were found to have heard the verses from the Vedas (Veda-Vani). This is also documented by Al-Biruni in his book.
During the rule of Peshwas, atrocities against Dalits increased significantly. The Dalits were not allowed to roam at specific timings, and were prohibited from building homes at the places where the upper castes resided. Lower caste women were taxed for covering their breasts. They were often seen carrying a broom on their backs and a pot around their necks, and were even forbidden from spitting on the ground.
Today, the Caste-based discrimination has transformed into the religious-based discrimination. The anti-Muslim, and anti-Christian Laws are being framed regularly. With the Ram-Mandir already build on the site of sacred Babri Masjid, the focus of Hindutva radicals has shifted to destroy Mosque and Dargahs. Their attention has now shifted to Gyanvapi in Kashi, and the Mosque in Mathura, along with the ‘Jama Masjid’ of Sambhal and the other Mughal-built architectures. Caste and religious-based discrimination is once again at its peak.
CONCLUSION
The History of Caste-Based discrimination in India is extensive and complex, spanning thousands of years. It is so old that few pages are not enough to explain it. Numerous books have been written on the caste-based discrimination, and many new additions are still on the way. The recent case of a Dalit groom being beaten for Climbing up a Horse has given enough evidence that the Caste-based discrimination still exists. Almost everyday, the news of Caste-based hatred can be seen in newspapers and heard on several News channels. Although most of the channels are in the control of the right-wingers and they try their best to hide the real information, few media channels still exists that show real news. The Caste-based discrimination is a blot on every Indian living, and the country cannot succeed until it is eradicated
