CASTES ASSOCIATED WITH UNTOUCHABILITY CREATED BY BRAHMINS

CASTES ASSOCIATED WITH UNTOUCHABILITY CREATED BY BRAHMINS

31-MARCH-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA----------------------------The narrative that "the castes associated with untouchability in this nation were created by Brahmins" is being actively propagated by power-hungry political parties, their allied organizations, and various beneficiaries. It is worth noting that across the country—including among power-hungry, so-called "mainstream leaders," elected representatives, and political candidates—individuals frequently make public statements on open platforms, at election rallies, and in print, electronic, and social media interviews that serve to mislead the nation. Consequently, the nation's youth have become ensnared in a web of confusion, which is fueling the spread of animosity. Driven by prejudice and petty greed—and divided along lines of religion, caste, gender, and region—people are becoming thirsty for one another's blood; a situation that is deeply alarming.

The act of inciting caste-based frenzy within the nation—by granting privileges to specific groups under caste-based laws while simultaneously depriving other groups of government benefits solely on the basis of caste—is being perpetrated by power-hungry leaders with a casteist mindset; this practice is, in no way, in the national interest. Furthermore, making allegations such as "Brahmins created castes to degrade us," "Kshatriyas oppressed us through the arrogance of their physical strength," "Kayasthas struck us down with the power of their pen," or "Baniyas exploited us through their business practices"—is neither appropriate nor justifiable in any respect.

You all likely recognize and are familiar with this face: it belongs to the Chief of the RSS, Mohan Bhagwat.

In February 2023, during an event organized in Mumbai to mark the birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas, he stated that the castes associated with untouchability were not created by God, but rather by Brahmins.

Does anyone—including RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat himself, or any other scholar on the ground—possess any concrete evidence (derived from Vedic, Puranic, or scriptural texts) to substantiate this claim? I challenge the intellectual class—including the RSS—to provide documented evidence proving the existence of the "Chamar" caste (considered untouchable) prior to 1489; the "Dusadh" caste (considered untouchable) prior to 1658; the "Bhangi" caste (considered untouchable) prior to the invasions by Islamic marauders; or the "Musahar" (Bhuiya) caste (considered untouchable) prior to 1871. If such evidence can be produced, accompanied by verifiable proof, a reward will be given.

Regarding the allegation that the Kshatriyas oppressed these groups: prior to the reign of Sikandar Lodi II, references to the so-called "untouchable" caste (Chamar) actually point to the *Chawar-vanshi Kshatriyas*—a lineage that was *not* considered untouchable and from which numerous rulers emerged. Similarly, prior to the reign of Aurangzeb, references to the so-called "untouchable" castes (Dusadh, Pasi) actually point to the *Gohilit-vanshi Kshatriyas*—a lineage that was *not* considered untouchable, whose members continue to hold the status of Kshatriyas in several states even today, and from which numerous rulers also emerged. Furthermore, prior to the British colonial era (specifically before 1871), the so-called "untouchable" castes (Musahar, Bhuiya)—who are indigenous to the Chota Nagpur Plateau (primarily located in the state of Jharkhand, a major plateau region of Eastern India)—regarded themselves as descendants of *Maa Shabari* and were *not* considered untouchable castes. Given that the current Constitution—which is often criticized as being "riddled with loopholes"—is now in force: *When* exactly did the Brahmins create these untouchable castes, and *whom* did the Kshatriyas oppress, and *when* did they do so?

And if no such evidence exists, why should we not conclude that those who fabricate stories to sow discord among the people—including the RSS Chief and others who give such interviews—are either completely ignorant of history, the Vedas, and the Shastras; or that they are deliberately deceiving the public and spreading animosity merely to serve their own political agenda? Such actions are not only fragmenting the social fabric of society but also acting as a significant impediment to the progress and advancement of the nation.