pratyushI’m an upper caste, Hindu, Brahmin, North indian
Posted by pratyush on August 27, 2008
The first thing that people ask me when i introduce myself is why is my name Pratyush Pankaj and why don’t i have a surname. There is a very simple answer to that. Its because my Father didn’t want me to use our surname. He believes that surnames are used to distinguish people on the basis of their caste and religion. A Sharma or a Singh would be an upper caste and Mahto or Ahir would be a lower caste. He never believed in Caste system and he didn’t want his children to get into this either. Hence, none of us has a surname.
When I was a young kid, I only knew i was an Indian and I very firmly believed that. I didn’t even know what my caste was. I realized that I’m a Hindu during my history lessons in school when I was told that people in India are mainly divided into four religions – Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christians. It was somewhere in early nineties that I realized that apart from being a Hindu, I’m also a Brahmin – which means an upper caste (thanks to Mandal Commission).
These things were irrelevant to me until I witnessed a riot after the Babri Masjid demolition where I lost one of my best friends who was a Muslim. I realized the implications of being an upper caste when I was denied admission in city’s top college despite getting very good marks in my Boards exams, and another friend of mine who got much less then me, got through on ‘Quota’ (he was a ’schedule caste’ – incidentally, he was always this rich spoilt kid)
As a young boy, I never understood this logic of treating the citizens of same country in different manner. I never understood the logic behind “special treatment” to these poor (?) minorities (?). I don’t know if my forefathers didn’t let them enter the temples or to fetch waters from the well (I’ve heard people narrating such stories on TV – specially the politicians). All I know is that by virtue of being born in an upper caste Brahmin family, I couldn’t get through the best college in the city even after securing much higher marks (trust me – much higher) then the so called lower caste kids (who would zoom around on their bikes and waste time everywhere except studying).
So, by the time I came to Pune for higher studies, I knew I was an upper caste, Hindu, Brahmin boy and not just an Indian which I always thought I was. And then, after spending almost 10 years in Maharashtra, I got a new identity. I was told that I was a North Indian and hence I shall go back to North India.
So now, In 25 years of my life in India, where my father wanted me to be a proud Indian, I’ve been given different identities. Thanks to politicians, so called social activists, Human rights activists and few others, I feel like an outsider in my own country because I’ve realized that I’m not just an Indian. I’m an upper caste, Hindu, Brahmin, North Indian and I’m not very sure how many more tags I’ll have to add to my identity.
I always wondered if my father has failed. He wanted to give me one identity but now I’ve so many. But i when i think about it, its not my father’s fault. He had a very noble intention. He wanted his children to be above caste, religion and regionalism. But thanks to the dirty politics of dividing the country into castes religion and regions, none of us is just an Indian – we all have multiple identities.
Akshaye Purmanund said
It’s a shame. I’m also a Brahmin living in Mauritius and here the Vaishya (I prefer to call them Vaishshias (prostitutes) as in Mauritius too, Hindu Brahmins are victims of all the government that came in power and is in power that is the present government too.
Thanks to a man called Harish Boo-dhoo, the later was an ex-parliamentarian, but still a politician who have played dirty by removing, ill-treating upper castes. Why? Like him, others are jealous of us, the Upper Castes because while others are merry making, boozing, we have been sacrificing our lives through hardwork so that, later on, we can serve our people, our country and everybody. But, they did not like this, the low-caste which I am proud and pray to be born again in an Upper Caste family which is pristine pure, soft heart, committed, dedicated to serve all with lofty mind and not as low mind which animate the low-caste!
I’ve read in books (while studying Hinduism) that certain persons like Swami Dayanand fought for the low caste which were converting to Muslims and Christianity. I wonder and hope not that this was not because the Priests wanted that these people get access to religious places after cleaning themselves which though for health reasons could not afford to do so and hence were not encouraged to come to temples where there have always been other people who attended.
It would be good to know as from History of India, each class had ruled India for a certain time: The Kshatriyas, the Brahmin (I don;t know) The Mauryas (low caste) etc and afterwards through decline the Muslims and later Christians through French and British.
What would be good to ask is whether Priesthood and Brahmins clans were respected or dishonored. If not, it gives enough proof though this view or reasons of mine looks stupid because, it would have proved from human nature of retaliation when one is in power, one tends to cause problems to other persons not in the same clans! (viz: the Jewish tribes suffered harsh treatment, the Sunni and Shias are killing among themselves, In UK a few years ago, Protestants and Christians were killing among themselves, yet, their authority is the Bible.
Same for us, all Hindus authority/ies is/are the Vedas. Other books are mostly historical books though conducive of lofty morals which have great influences on Jews, Christians and Muslims religions.
So, these said, we should regroup ourselves to know our force. In Mauritius, Brahmins are much more than Tamils as we represent some 18% of the Hindus population.
Same in India where then, you could have some representatives in the Indian Parliament who could voice them out. Nobody could and would be able to finish Brahminhood,else, they will be destroyed.
Long live Hindutva, Long live to Brahmin class.
Satya said
My Dear Akshaye Purmanund/
It’s a shame to call yourself a Brahman when you have such a low/ghatya attitude.Never forget that we have had so many Hindus converted to Christianism because of your forefathers attitude. Swami Dayanand Saraswati, a Bramhman himself founded the Arya Samaj because of people like you. You Brahman people prefer to marry their children with Muslims rather than with people of Lower Castes. Shame on You Brahman People. The Moguls invaded India because of You Brahman. Brahman must be people with great intelligence not Silly/Ghatya people like you. With people like you still alive…there will never be unity amongst Hindus….Satya
pratyush said
Dear Akshaye / Satya,
Both of u are missing the point that I’m trying to make here. I didnt want to start a discussion on caste or religion. I wanted to point out the fact that even in today’s world when the focus should be on unity and devlopement of the Nation as a whole, we are still fighting over such issues.
There is no point blaming each other for what people did years ago. Why should we fight over what the Brahmins did to the so called lower caste people or what the Muslim invaders did to Hindus.
We need to get over such petty issues if we want to do well in life
Satya said
My Dear Pratyush/
What u have just said applied mostly 2 Akshaye not 2 me. I find it sad that being a Brahman yourself, U said nothing when Akshaye treated the Vaish Caste as Prostitute.What Unity are U talking about when the Caste System is mostly practiced by Brahmans.By the way, why would find anything wrong in what Akshaye wrote, being both birds of same feathers.
Satya.
Adarsh said
Dear Pratyush
Its very easy for you to comment on such sensetive issues sitting far away from the truth. You have urslf mentioned that you have been staying in cities like Pune and Mumbai. I’m sure you have no idea what is happening in the interiors of our country. Maybe you dnt face casteism in these cities.
There is a reason why lower caste ppl are using force against you brahmins. Its high time you get what you deserve.
But ppl like you who have never faced such issues being a ‘high caste’ will never understand this. So pls dont even talk about unity and progress
Satya said
Dear Adarsh/
You are absolutely right my friend.
Satya
Satya said
Where r U my dear Pratyush…why don’t U react to Adarsh and my comments….never begin something u can’t stop….u so-called upper classes people….shame on u….this is why hinduism whilst being the oldest religion is still behind….and U have the gut 2 call yourself Upper caste.
Satya
Ahimsadass said
U all are fools. Divide we fall unity we rise. Hands in hands we should make the muslim, chistian and other to vanished.brahmins means intelligent.
Kshatriyas: fighter.
vaish: business people.
other. sweeper etc.
. this is the meaning of caste.
pratyush said
@Adarsh – I might not be aware of everything that is happening in the interiors of our country. I’m sure there are issues which we are not even aware of. But I do feel that a lot is being done to overcome these issues – to an extent that ‘minority welfare’ has become an important issue for all the political parties (though I’m not sure if its actually helping the ppl who require the help). And I do hope that so called lower caste ppl are serious about all the facilities provided to them and they make full use of it (vacant seats at the premier educational institutes reserved for such classes suggest otherwise)
@Satya – My dear friend, I request you to read the blog again. I never claimed to be an ‘upper’ caste. Infact I didn’t even know my caste till the time ‘Mandal’ happened.
The tone of your comments (few of which I didn’t approve – thanks to the language used) suggests that you have suffered a lot due to the caste system (and I hope you are not taking out your frustration because your forefathers were oppressed by brahmins some 200 years ago). I would really like to listen to your story and the reason behind so much of frustration and hatred.
@Ahimsadass – I dont agree with your version of ‘unity’ or the definition of caste system.
Satya said
Pratyush/Better late than never…You yourself said the following “I’m an upper caste, Hindu, Brahmin, North indian”. May be your father was right….but u r completely different from him…It’s not frustration…but the way U Bramans behave that made me react this way…Just come in Mauritius, the country of your Dear friend AKSHAY PURMANUND and U will see how Casteism is still practiced here by your so called Brahmans. Even though that all our forefatheres came from India on the same Ship, sleeping like animals…as soon as the ship reached the destination the JAAT/PAAT began again. Oh…U said about my language….so why did U not react when Akshaye Purmanund, so called Brahman and who call himself an Spiritual Master and Vegan, did say that the VAISH COMMUNITY ARE PROSTITUTES. My dear Pratyush…U no more have any credibility… It’s better 4 U 2 sop talking about Hindus Unity.
My Dear Ahimsadass/ It’s better 4 you 2 shut your big mouth… The objective of the Hindus are not 2 make the muslim, chistian and other to vanished…but to live together….U r not worth talking 2 ….
Satya
Adarsh said
Pratyush – I agree wid you. Political parties are using this as a ploy to garner votes. We have politicians like Mayawati who says she is proud to be a ‘dalit ki beti’. I’m not sure which dalit ki beti would spend crores of rs on her own statues.
Arjun Singh used reservations to give a new lease of life to his morbind political career. And yes, I do agree that increasing the seats for ST SCs in bigger colleges wont help. What is required is the basic education.
Satya – I did agree with you in the begining, but I can see you only have hatred for the so called ‘ upper caste’, irrespective of their views on it. I dont believe in ur objective of hating everything associated with the upper caste ppl.
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Ranjay said
Interesting Article.
“I’m an upper caste, Hindu, Brahmin, North Indian and I’m not very sure how many more tags I’ll have to add to my identity.”
No one likes being tagged.
But I’d like to comment on the frst comment. “Upper caste” descendents of coolies are not victims in Mauritius.
And really, most “Brahmins” I know, eat non-veg(I know one who eats pork too) and drink alcohol.
And yes, they are not the most intelligent social group.
chankya_fan said
@ Pratyush. I fully understand the point you wanted to raise: society has put a ‘brand’ on you, which has been to your detriment. Now, even the ‘brahmins’ committed all sorts of injustice, it’s not for you to pay for these(by the way, I wouldn’t even call them brahmins even if they descend from great brahmans!! I don’t consider anyone brahmin by birth, for I differentiate between ‘varna’ and ‘caste’)
@ Akshaye. Are you a Mauritian or an Indian Brahmin in Mauritius?? My dear, I just hope you know what Brahmanism is all about!!! I’m myself an upper-caste in Mauritius: vegetarian, having never smoked, drunk alcohol, yet I don’t wear the janev of brahman, for the mere respect of it. Brahmanism is primarily about studying of the Vedas, which I bet you have never even attempted.
Now, abusing the Vaish does the befit a Brahmin: that’s no compassion at all. Remember that Lord Krishna was raised among the Vaish,having a pure Vaish culture. Moreover, the mode of adoration to Him is known as Vaishnavism, which I respect though I’m a Brahmanist.
And I can tell you that the high-castes and Vaish have always been in hand to oust the others. Today, the so called low-castes have emancipated, and the principal targets are firstly the ‘Brahmins’, as you call yourself. Unfortunately, maybe you have been a victim of this system, but that ‘we’ were no saints when we had control should not be overlooked. We can even say that we are reaping what we have sowed. Talk not of Swami Dayanand, a BRAHMAN by both caste and varna!!! Anyway, we, as Hindus collectively, will be reduced to a minority thanks to our attitude!!! I can just but wish that the animosity would one day fade…
Dear Pratyush, I realise that my comment is a bit irrelevant to the point you wanted to ponder, but just wanted to put some facts as they are. Reservations are against meritocracy; even in Mauritius, we have got a system known as “Best Loser” for parliamentary admission, whereby it is ALWAYS IMPOSSIBLE for any Hindu to become one. And I pay my respects to your father’s open-mindedness!!
Satya said
Very good Posts…Ranjay & Chankya.
arjun said
@satya,”i’m not trying to discriminate any caste but from ur comments i feel that you are completely against uppercastes
Satya said
My Dear Arjun/ Am not against Upper Caste…But am against their way of doing….If U were living in MAURITIUS….U would have seen what upper caste people do…Just read Akshaye Purmanund above commentary on Vaish…n U will know about my reaction.