thanks for your time to reply, but the following message neither appeared in assamnet or it could be found in the archive (just checked the archive, after reading your email).
are you approving selected messages only?
bidyut
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bidyut Kakati <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Oct 9, 2005 2:26 PM
Subject: Wrong interpretation
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Bhubon and Maiki:
What Geeta talks is not same as Caste today, because caste today is by birth. Geeta did not talk of by birth but by virtue.
For example Parashar, Byash and Viswamitra did not have Brahmin parents (Manusamhita talks how they become Brahman). Similarly, Parasuram was not born to Kshyatriya parents.
So it was a wrong interpretation to say " God created the caste system" - if you compare with today's cast system.
My two cents :)
Bhubon Kakaideo,
YOU REPLY AS A GOOD IMPARTIAL INTELLECTUAL SHOULD DO--ALL THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
We are proud to be your fellow Namti children and maybe being taught by the same great Khagen Barboruah.
mm
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Assam] Rediff: US lawmakers flay India for human rights abuse
Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2005 02:11:04 EDT
I think I can attempt to answer Mike's basic questions at least partially.
Dalit and Untouchables are not words to be found in the Hindu scriptures. The Geeta, however, mentions that God created the caste system (Varnas) according to an individual's ability to perform a job satisfactorily. It is like a strong man being asked to carry a heavy bundle and a person good at maths being asked to do accountancy. The concept of dignity of labour did not develop in India and the stratification of the society based on one's profession was the result. The learned man was respected while the person cleaning the toilet was looked down upon. Since the sons and daughters continued to do what their parents did, an entire community began either to be worshipped or looked down upon. Today the so-called Dalits have formed powerful organisations and the internet will provide you an wealth of knowledge on the subject.
The learned Manu, the Hindu law-giver, has nothing to do with untouchability. He has, however, been much reviled for ill-treating Hindu women. I suppose the poor man was stating the law as it then stood.
In Assam the society was grouped on different lines. There were no barbers; in the villages people helped each other. There were no toilet cleaners as people defecated in the open fields. There are people in India who help in the burial process (I forget what they are called, I understand there are many of them in the burning ghats of Benares). In Assam villagers did not require such help. Assamese women made their own clothes; so there were no low-class weavers or tailors in our society. Today of course things are changing.
Muslim rulers at first tried to convert the people but it was a formidable task. They gave up. The caste system ultimately survived even during the Mughal rule.
It is not that untouchability was completely absent in Assam but its practice was not as bad as in the rest of India. What is worst is the psychosis that the caste system has created in the minds of people. More on that at another opportunityBhuban
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