Re: [Assam] Fw: Caste System

[Ram Sarangapani]

Barua,

 

Thanks for that info. I am aghast that in this day and age things could happen like this. One of the problems, I think is that the Panchayat rules like a dictator. At such low levels of governance, unless something happens to draw attention to the public at large, the Panchayat, the gaon bura rule the way they feel like. The villagers are often intimidated by the panchayat, the gaon bura or even the "bed" (the doktor).

 

I remember, many years ago, I had gone to a small village near Palasbari, to meet a class friend of mine.

Upon reaching the village, we encountered a huge crowd. It seems a young boy had died a few days ago from smallpox. A girl in the village had dreamed the previous night that the boy was alive. The villagers had gathered around to exhume the body and revive it.

 

They did. I saw the body was pretty fresh (even after having been buried a few days ago). They had kolpaat, naam, pujas etc, etc. I asked my friend days later, what happened. He, of course told me it didn't work out.

Being quite young (and impetuous) at that time, I was about to tell the villagers that this wasn't going to happen. But my friend drew me aside, and told me to keep quiet (for my own good).

 

What I am trying to drive at, is that India is a country (even today) mired in a lot of superstitions. Even educated people fall into it. In general, its human nature to be afraid or tread gingerly on the unknown, religion, and superstitions.

 

I think, at least some of these supersitions help villagers to keep their hopes and aspirations alive. Thats a good thing. Who am I to judge how much and at what levels supersitions are OK.

 

I think, even celebrating Bihu is part tradition and part superstition - we want a better harvest, so we celebrate (to appease the Gods?)

Nevertheless, I still love it - so lets not stop it. :) :)

 

--Ram

 

 

 

On 3/25/06, Barua25 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Ramgopal:

This shows that some Hindus are not allowed to temple and caste system is very much there in the Indian blood.

RB

 

 

hindustantimes.com

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, December 15, 2005: Another controversy over temple entry has hit Orissa. In Keraragard village in Kendrapara district, four Dalit women who entered a temple were beaten and later fined US$22.24 (a considerable sum) by the village panchayat. Sebati Muduli, Annapurna Mahali, Jharana Jena and Sakuntala Muduli had entered the Jagannath temple in Keraragard as a matter of right, as only non-Hindus are barred from entering some temples. But this invited the wrath of the priests and upper-caste villagers. After the women were beaten, the village panchayat issued a decree to recover $22.24 from them -- to spend on temple-purification rituals. BJD MP Mohan Jena said, "If the women who entered the temple are Hindus, then why should they be barred from entering the temple? The mindset of such upper-caste people who oppose the entry of Dalits into temples should change, otherwise the Hindu religion will crumble." The priests, however, remained unmoved. Niranjan Panda, head priest of the temple in Kerargard, defended the practice. "The entry of scheduled caste people has been prohibited for many years," he said. Kendrapara SP Pratik Mohanty said: "The district collector has ordered a probe. Depending upon the findings, the district police will take action."

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