| Awaken Bharata |
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| Books By David Frawley |
| ANTI - BRAHMANISM, THE NEW COMMUNALISM OF MODERN INDIA | |
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| This
pride has been more one of religion or education than of political
or economic domination. Brahmins have often refused to mingle with
those of lesser castes, particularly the untouchables, who they
regard as impure. Yet such pride, however hurtful it may be, should
not be confused with military or economic exploitation, which is
quite different. Many great
people in India have come from the Brahmin class, including most of
the spiritual leaders of the country like Ramana Maharshi or Swami
Shivananda.
The Brahmins have preserved much of the traditional learning of the country and its Sanskritic culture. Unfortunately a number of Brahmins have felt pride in their caste alone, though humility is said to be one of the main virtues of all true Brahmins. This fault however should not be used as an excuse for anti-Brahmin propaganda of all types. Brahmins have produced many of the best educated people in India. Yet should they be blamed for this or should their emphasis on learning be taken up by other groups? Should we blame musical families because they produce better musicians than non-musical families? Should we therefore forbid that musicians who come from musical families get a hearing? Much less rigorous quota systems are being rejected in the West today, where even small scale affirmative action is coming under question, hopefully India will follow suit and remove these restrictions on Brahmins and look to more legitimate means of social upliftment. |
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