V
V.Balasubramani
Guest
[h=1]Dalits were upper castes: BJP leader[/h][h=2]Spokesman goes into 'origins’ of untouchability[/h]Were Dalits pushed into “unclean occupations” because they refused to bow before “Muslim invaders” and convert to Islam in medieval times, thus making them “untouchables”? This is how BJP’s national spokesperson Bizay Sonkar Shastri explains the origin of “untouchability” in India.
“Their (‘medieval Muslim invaders’) biggest hurdle in India was its Hinduism. In particular, the Brahmins – who were defenders of culture and religion – and Kshatriyas, who were defenders of geographical boundaries. They were forced to embrace Islam.
Atrocities were committed on them,” Mr. Shastri told The Hinduin a freewheeling chat.
“Some Brahmins and Kshatriyas decided they would not accept Islam at any cost – even if they die. To destroy their dharmabhiman (religious pride), swabhiman (self-respect) andrashtraabhiman (pride in nationality), they were forced into carrying the night soil and engage in leather-work. This is how Scheduled Castes were created.”
Read more at: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dalits-were-upper-castes-bjp-leader/article7815509.ece
“Their (‘medieval Muslim invaders’) biggest hurdle in India was its Hinduism. In particular, the Brahmins – who were defenders of culture and religion – and Kshatriyas, who were defenders of geographical boundaries. They were forced to embrace Islam.
Atrocities were committed on them,” Mr. Shastri told The Hinduin a freewheeling chat.
“Some Brahmins and Kshatriyas decided they would not accept Islam at any cost – even if they die. To destroy their dharmabhiman (religious pride), swabhiman (self-respect) andrashtraabhiman (pride in nationality), they were forced into carrying the night soil and engage in leather-work. This is how Scheduled Castes were created.”
Read more at: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dalits-were-upper-castes-bjp-leader/article7815509.ece
