Gandhi & the Caste System – it may surprise you!

– May 31, 2011Posted in: Caste System/Human Rights

मैं मानता हुं कि हरिजनों का विशाल समुदाय तथा उसी तरह भारतीय मनुष्य ईसाई धर्म की प्रस्तुति समझ नहीं सकते और सामान्य तौर पर जहां भी धर्मांतरण होता है, वह किसी भी अर्थ में आध्यात्मिक कृत्य नहीं है."
-एम.के. गाँधी
हरिजन, 1936

"हरिजन दो चीजों के बीच फर्क नहीं कर सकते, जितना कि एक गाय कर सकती है. हरिजनों के पास दिमाग नहीं है, बुद्धि नहीं है, ईश्वर और अनीश्वर के बीच फर्क करने की समझ शक्ति नहीं है."

-

एम.के. गाँधी
हरिजन, 1936

-Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar : Writing and Speeches
Volume-5
pp.446-450

Gandhi

Gandhi is a revered figure in the West.  He certainly was a dynamic force in India, but what were his views on the caste system?The following selection of sayings might surprise you: "If the lower caste people leave their ancestral professions and adopt another profession, their expectations will rise and they will lose their mental balance and ultimately their family’s peace will be destroyed." Hindi Swaraj
"A Shudra can’t be called a Brahmin even if he possesses all the qualities of a Brahmin by inheritance.  He should never claim his right other than the Varna in which he was born.  This is an evidence of his being humble." Young India (11-24-27)
"As per the Hindu Scriptures if a person adopts any other profession in place of his family profession, he commits violence and he renders himself to meanness by not following his ancestral profession." Young India (11-31-27)
"As the time goes on every day my belief in the Varna System is strengthening that  man has no existence without it.  Therefore, the Moslems and the Christians must follow this system; as it is as mandatory for them as it is necessary for the Hindus, to maintain social harmony."  Round Table Conf., l922
"I will oppose the separation of the Untouchables from the caste Hindus even at the cost of my life.  The problems of the Untouchables have no relevance or important before it." Round Table, London, l932
I call myself a Samatany Hindu who has deep faith in the caste system." Dharem Manthau, p. 6
"I believe in caste division on the basis of birth because the roots of the caste system start from birth." Verana Vayavstha, p. 77
"Four castes (chaturvanuya) are the four stages of human life which springs from birth." Dharam Manthou , p.6
"Caste means pre-ordained profession.  Caste suggests to a man that he should adopt the profession of his forefathers to earn his livelihood." Varam Vayastha. P. 65
"I feel that the western culture, which is the product of devils, has shattered our caste system." Dharan Manthan p. 65
"How is it possible that a low caste can enter into all the existing temples? Until the caste system is supreme in the Hindu religion, not every Hindu can enter into all Hindu temples". Gandhi, Shirao, ch. 11,  p. 132
"According to me, the caste system is scientific. You cannot condemn it by argument.  It controls the society socially and ethnically—I see no reason to end it.  To end casteism is to finish the Hindu Religion.  There is nothing against Varnastram.  I have reason to believe that the caste system is an arithmetic principle.  It has its own limitation and disadvantages. Even then there is nothing to be hated in this system." Harijan, l932 (Translation from a Lower Caste tract circulated among Scheduled Castes and OBCs)