On Dalits in India

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living, writes in the Hindustan Times on Dalits and the Caste System in India.

He welcomes the movements that led to the entry of Dalits in Bhilwara and Jagannath Temple. He agrees that laws and religious leaders have failed to stop the oppression against Dalits in India. He then talks about the activities of some past spiritual leaders in helping Dalits. Then he gives example of Dalit rishis and Dalits in Hindu scriptures. All this we get to read in any article written by Indian spiritual leaders.

But Sri Sri Ravi Shankar makes two observations that are noteworthy. First, he talks about a people’s movement.

Unlike other religions, Hinduism is inherently anarchic. In the absence of a single command at the top, reforms in Hinduism cannot come from the top. It has to start at the bottom, as a people’s movement.

Second, he writes about violence against upper castes.

The vicious cycle of hatred and revenge is being promoted for political gains. There have also been atrocities against the upper castes. In Tamil Nadu, upper castes have been forced to migrate many times.

But sadly, he provides no solution to the problem and only gives some advices that we have heard many a times in the past.

It is hard for an average Hindu to think above caste. Through numerous political and social movements the Dalits were able to enter temples in Kerala. But if you take a look at the matrimonial advertisements from that state, it is clearly visible that caste plays a huge role in Kerala society. Here, we are talking about a society that has 100% literacy. This clearly proves that caste system is practiced by most educated Indians.

When reports about Dalit violence and denial of entry into temples appear, most Hindus say it is the uneducated villagers. They will go on to say ‘look nobody restricts them at Tirupati, Sabarimala, Puri Jagannath Temple …..’ And they will say Dalits should be allowed inside all temples or as Sri Sri Ravishankar says “Nobody has a right to bar people from entering the house of God.”

If there was a referendum held today among Hindus on the issue of ‘denial of entry into temples,’ I am confident more than 80% will say all people irrespective of their castes or creed should be allowed inside the temple. But will this solve the issue?

If the situation in the Dalits in the country is to improve, the government and other non-government agencies should concentrate on primary education. Perhaps what is lacking today in India is a solid primary education.

Our political leaders and newspapers never forget the caste of the individual that makes it to the highest offices in the country. So we hear about Dalit President, Dalit Chief Minister, Dalit Chief Justice...the list is never ending. The success of few individuals from the Dalit community is celebrated by the media.

And if we listen to the success story of these individuals, they all have one thing in common to say ‘the struggle they went through in getting proper education.’ The struggle of their parents to sent them to school. The Dalit President and Chief Justice did not lose hope in the face of numerous economic and social obstacles. But this is not the case of millions of other Dalit students, they give up easily. It is here where governments and non-governmental organizations have to play a great role.

What at the best we can achieve in a short period is to educate Dalits, so that they can stand up to the atrocities and lead a respectful life. So the people’s movement suggested by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar should concentrate on providing ‘education to Dalits.’

Regarding the atrocities against Upper Castes, the vicious cycle of hatred and revenge is to be expected. There will be reactions from the empowered Dalits. But here there is slight difference. Most of the Upper Castes are educated, they can approach the law of the land and they can make use of the media to highlight any injustice. Instead of giving a Caste color, they should see these attacks as a physical attack on their life and property and should approach the Courts as Indian citizens.