The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) has today released a revealing report on varnashram or the caste system, a subject HCUK says is much misunderstood by the British media, politicians and the public. “Caste has been the subject of ill-informed comment for too long,” says HCUK General Secretary Anil Bhanot.
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While the report acknowledges and condemns the fact that abuse of varnashram continues in India, despite an official ban on caste discrimination and the introduction of positive discrimination policies to emancipate lower castes, in particular Dalits, or ‘untouchables,’
Here in the UK, Dalit communities do well and are right to be proud of their achievements. The Hindu Council too is proud of the Dalit community, which has full representation on our executive board. HCUK is not aware of caste discrimination here in the UK. If it does exist, we would be the first to condemn and aim to eradicate it.
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The celebrated author of the great Hindu epic Ramayana sage Valmiki was a hunter of low standing. He came to be known as a Brahmin sage because of his wisdom and deep understanding of the scriptures, which led to his authorship of the Ramayana. Similarly, sage Aitareya, who compiled the Aitareya Upanishad, was born of a woman of low birth, yet his modern day descendants consider themselves Brahmins
A little while ago a friend of mine told me a story of a friend of his in this country who used a false name to give the impression he was of a higher caste. He did this in shops, etc. with fellow Indians and they'd treat him really well, give him freebies, etc. all because they thought he was of a higher caste than he really was, so I think that there probably is still some discrimination in this country due to castes.
"Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful... Better a thousandfold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race." - Charles Bradlaugh.
so I think that there probably is still some discrimination in this country due to castes.
There definately is. If you look at marriage lists you will see castes still being used.
A number of steps are required if not already done so to remove discrimination:
1) State Lord Krishnas clear sayings, his authority is paramount. If those claim to be of the Hindu faith then what are they following?
2) Hindu priests need to talk of these issues in the temples far more and confront these nonsense marriage lists which inadvertently perpetuate prejudices and are against Lord Krishnas teachings.
3) Shame those that treat people differently based for whatever reason.
It will take time, but for the Hindu Council to state the truth about what is in the scriptures is important.
so I think that there probably is still some discrimination in this country due to castes.
There definately is. If you look at marriage lists you will see castes still being used.
A number of steps are required if not already done so to remove discrimination:
1) State Lord Krishnas clear sayings, his authority is paramount. If those claim to be of the Hindu faith then what are they following?
2) Hindu priests need to talk of these issues in the temples far more and confront these nonsense marriage lists which inadvertently perpetuate prejudices and are against Lord Krishnas teachings.
3) Shame those that treat people differently based for whatever reason.
It will take time, but for the Hindu Council to state the truth about what is in the scriptures is important.
I think before any of the above can be done it'll take the HCUK to come out of denial first. From this:
"HCUK is not aware of caste discrimination here in the UK. If it does exist, we would be the first to condemn and aim to eradicate it."
it sounds like they are just brushing it under the carpet and refusing to acknowledge it goes on.
"Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful... Better a thousandfold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race." - Charles Bradlaugh.
I think before any of the above can be done it'll take the HCUK to come out of denial first. From this:
"HCUK is not aware of caste discrimination here in the UK. If it does exist, we would be the first to condemn and aim to eradicate it."
it sounds like they are just brushing it under the carpet and refusing to acknowledge it goes on.
Think, 'discrimination' which does go on in India is not at same level here, whereas 'prejudice' does occur here.
Semantics. Discrimination is the act inspired by prejudice. People pre-judge someone based on what caste they think they are and then discriminate based on that. I agree, it's probably not at the levels it is in India, but the HCUK seem to be under the impression (or at least are giving such an impression) that it does not go on at all. Do you think they are aware and are lying, or are simply unaware?
"Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful... Better a thousandfold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race." - Charles Bradlaugh.
I think before any of the above can be done it'll take the HCUK to come out of denial first. From this:
"HCUK is not aware of caste discrimination here in the UK. If it does exist, we would be the first to condemn and aim to eradicate it."
it sounds like they are just brushing it under the carpet and refusing to acknowledge it goes on.
Think, 'discrimination' which does go on in India is not at same level here, whereas 'prejudice' does occur here.
Semantics. Discrimination is the act inspired by prejudice. People pre-judge someone based on what caste they think they are and then discriminate based on that. I agree, it's probably not at the levels it is in India, but the HCUK seem to be under the impression (or at least are giving such an impression) that it does not go on at all. Do you think they are aware and are lying, or are simply unaware?
Semantics. Discrimination is the act inspired by prejudice. People pre-judge someone based on what caste they think they are and then discriminate based on that. I agree, it's probably not at the levels it is in India, but the HCUK seem to be under the impression (or at least are giving such an impression) that it does not go on at all. Do you think they are aware and are lying, or are simply unaware?[/QUOTE]
Act of discrimination has to occur, e.g. a number of so called priests in India do not allow so called 'dalits' into temples, but here in UK, have not heard of this, hence they are not aware, as they have said:
quote:
Here in the UK, Dalit communities do well and are right to be proud of their achievements. The Hindu Council too is proud of the Dalit community, which has full representation on our executive board. HCUK is not aware of caste discrimination here in the UK. If it does exist, we would be the first to condemn and aim to eradicate it. However, in the 14 years since HCUK was founded, only one allegation of caste discrimination has come to our attention, via ACAS. Ultimately it came to nothin
End of the day, if there are cases of discrimination, then we can forward it to them, and see their reaction and what steps they take.
