Anti-Brahmanism
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Anti-Brahmanism, also known as Anti-Brahminism, refers to the hostility and prejudice towards members of the Hindu Brahmin caste. It ranges from individual hate-attacks to institutionalized attempts to vilify Brahmins. Anti-Brahmanism is carried out mainly in the Indian subcontinent where some sections of the media and polity engage in propagating a hostile or negative view of Brahmins and Brahmanism (a pejorative term for Brahmin practices, or sometimes, Hinduism). Allegations are made that though Brahmins are generally from the middle class, they have historically enjoyed considerable respect in the Indian society as scholars and priests. Such media claim that Brahmins form a small and elite community in India. Justification of anti-Brahmanism has now been incorporated in the curriculum of some states in India.[citation needed] Anti-Brahminism is allegedly supported by organizations which are opposed to Hinduism or India. While doing away with Brahmins for religious purposes is not anti-Brahminism, expressed hatred for brahmins individually or collectively for the real or imagined misfortunes of others is.[citation needed]
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[edit] History
The Brahmins have historically served as Hindu philosophers, authors, teachers and priests. However, historically, in Hinduism, these roles are not exclusively reserved for Brahmins. Prominent non-Brahmin Hindu religious personalities have existed from ancient times to today.
In Tamil country where Brahmano-phobia was popularized by Dravidian political parties, Brahmo-philia has been the norm. From the earliest available Tamil literature like Tholkappiyam or Tirukkural, Brahmins were highly regarded and respected members of the Tamil society. Anti-Brahminism rears its head only from the late 19th century and hence it can be thought of as a legacy of British colonialism. Anti-Brahminism is a repudiation of Tamil traditions and heritage under the influence of the Western culture.
[edit] Indian traditions
Some Indian traditions have reflected some measure of anti-Brahmanism. In Buddhism, one was required to become a true Brahmin and attain Brahman before one could call themself a Brahmin, and the sangha accepted many Brahmins. Ambedkar, the founder of Indian Buddhist Movement in India was ambivalent towards the Brahmins, knowing they were not really the oppressors. However in the past two decades the neo-Buddhists have turned increasingly hostile towards the Brahmins. To that extent, one can say that contemporary Buddhism (neo-Buddhism) in India is based on the repudiation of historic Buddhism in India which knows no brahmin hatred.
[edit] Abrahamic traditions
In Indian Christianity, although the claim (for example, in her book The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy whose mother is a Syrian Christian) that the Syrian Christians are descendants of Namboothiri Brahmins of Kerala, is not historically supported, it is widely made.
Christian missionaries in India observed with anger, the respect commanded by the Brahmins among Hindus, thus they tried to convert Brahmins, but with extremely limited success. A Jesuit missionary Roberto de Nobili (1577-1656) started claiming to be Brahmin, when he realized that his claim of being a Kshatriya has not been very effective. In the past couple of decade, some of the missionary organizations, having given up on Brahmins, have started focussing on the dalits and the tribals, and have initiated an active anti-Brahmin campaign.[citation needed]
[edit] Examples of Anti-Brahmanism
[edit] In media
[edit] In literature
(Don't mention internet sites run by anonymous people, don't take cognizance of them - this will only play into their hands by generating undue publicity)Documents created by an anti-Hindu hate group Dalistan, have created an extensive set of web-documents posted on their web-sites, promoting anti-Brahmin, anti-Hindu and separationist ideas. They have been widely promoted and quoted by anti-Hindu interests. Some of them are:
- BRAHMIN GOLD The Plunder of Paradise
- The Final Brahmin Annihilation of Dalitstan
- Brahminist Occupied Governments
- Narasimha Rao the Brahmin & His Final Solution to the "Sikh Problem"
Documents created/hosted by Khalistan supporters:
- SIKHS WANT OUT OF THE BRAHMIN SHANGRILA - THEY WANT KHALISTAN
- An evil brahmin empire which must be destroyed
- Original Buddhism And Brahminic Interference
Documents created by missionary organizations in India:
- a fake document inspired by The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and widely disseminated by the missionaries, specially among the dalits and tribals.
[edit] In magazines
Some magazines promote anti-Brahmin sentiments.
[edit] In Indian states
[edit] In Maharashtra
The Sambhaji Brigade attacked Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute of Maharashtra in January 2004, claiming that the Institute had defamed Shivaji. Later the Sambhaji Brigade issued statements reflecting anti-Brahmin sentiments.[1]. It is important to note that the Sambhaji Brigade is a Maratha-based organization, and Maratha itself is an upper caste, the Kshatriya. However, the organization also consists of numerous Marathi Muslims and Maharashtrian Dalits especially from Vidarbha and Marathwada. It must be noted that the Sambhaji Brigade is not a upper caste-hating reactionary lower caste group, but an all-caste group created out of the historical animosity between the ruling class of Marathas and the caste Brahmins. Anti-Hindu elements among Dalit Christians and Christian Missionary groups are also numerous in Maharashtra[citation needed].
[edit] Ambedkar and Brahmins
Today's chauvinistic Indian Buddhists writing literature against the Brahmin caste are different from Dr. Ambedkar because Dr. Ambedkar worked with several Brahmins including Veer Savarkar. "When Bhimrao was a student at the High School, a Brahmin teacher admired Bhimrao's lively mind. His family name was Ambedkar. The teacher liked Bhimrao so much that he changed his name from Ambavadekar to Ambedkar."[1] "Once, when Dr. Ambedkar resigned as Principal, a boy came to him crying. He was a Brahmin boy. He was very poor. He had a scholarship for two years. He was doubtful whether he would get it during the last year of his stay. Ambedkar was grieved at his sad story. He comforted him. He made him sit with him for food. Then he gave him fifty rupees. He patted him on his back and said, 'if you are in trouble again, come and tell me.'"[2] Addressing a conference of 20,000 workers he said that according to him there were two enemies of the working classes in the country, and they were Brahmanism & Capitalism. "By the former he stated, I do not mean the power, privileges, & interests of the Brahmins as a community. By Brahmanism I mean the negation of the spirit of liberty, equality & fraternity."[2] Dr. Ambedkar himself married a Brahmin, Dr. Sharada Kabir, a Brahmin who later became Dr. Savita Ambedkar. However, today's Buddhists continue to misuse the image of Dr. Ambedkar as an anti-Brahmin who would always fight the Brahmins.
[edit] In Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is home to one of the oldest anti-Brahmin movements in India. Tamil Brahmins (Iyers and Iyengars) are frequently held responsible by some sections of the Tamil politicians and media for direct or indirect oppression of lower-caste people. This is not true since all the caste clashes reported in Tamilnadu are between different non-brahmin castes. Historically, "untouchable" castes were not allowed into temples and schools in Tamil Nadu. More importantly, between 1890 and 1930 in British India, the Tamil Brahmins had a sizable presense in the Indian Civil Service sector. As a result, the top layer of the non-Brahmin castes under the leadership of E.V. Ramasami Naicker launched an anti-Brahmin, anti-Hindu movement called Self-respect movement, protesting the oppression. It must also be said that this movement did not include the "untouchable" castes like the Dalits. Thus, significant portions of Tamil Brahmins have migrated to other Indian states or overseas, and hold a considerable presence in the Indian diaspora worldwide.[3][4].
[edit] In Punjab
The Tat Khalsa movement sponsored by the British government to create a pool from which loyal soldiers can be recruited. Punjab is home to Khalistani separationists who are generally strongly anti-Brahmin[citation needed]. The movement's main source of support has always been from overseas groups.
[edit] In Northeast India
Successful proselytization by overseas anti-Hindu organizations have created regions in eastern India where anti-Brahmanism flourishes[citation needed].
[edit] Conclusion
Then because all anti-Brahmin movements are also anti-Hindu, it is possible to analyze that to weaken Hinduism, one has to attack the Brahmin community, which has served as the clergy of Hinduism. All anti-Hindus portray Hinduism as "brahminical" and while denying persecution of Hindus by outsiders, blame almost all of India's problems on the Brahmin community (e.g. neo-Buddhists.) Because the anti-Brahmin is an anti-Hindu, they see India as a union of Hindus and are antagonistic towards Indian unity as can be observed by all separatist groups, which are all non-Hindu (e.g. NFLT.)
[edit] See also
- Persecution of Hindus
- Anti-Semitism
- History of anti-Semitism
- Indian caste system
- Hate groups
- Dalit Voice
- Kashmiri Pandit Mass exodus of Pandits from the Valley
[edit] Notes
- ^ Anand Soondas (January 19, 2004). Bonfire of cupboard of history - Pune institute continues to count the losses from attack by Sambhaji Brigade (English). Retrieved on 2006-08-07.
- ^ Life & Mission Dr B R Ambedkar by Dhananjay Keer
- ^ Are Brahmins the Dalits of today?
- ^ 'We Are Like The Jews: Politics apart, Brahmin-bashing is rampant in literary and cultural worlds too'
[edit] References
- Politics and Social Conflict in South India, the Non-Brahman Movement and Tamil Separatism, 1916-1929. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1969. By Prof. Eugene Irschik
- Editorial by Francois Gautier on anti-Brahmanism
- Article by Pdt Vamadeva Shastri (formerly David Frawley) on anti-Brahmanism
- Article from well-known anti-semitic website preaching hate against Jews and comparing Hindu Brahmins to anti-semitic stereotype(s) of Jews
