" ...The so-called upper castes can only stop conversion if they
introspect, eradicate the evil in the caste system, and visualise
themselves in a situation where they and their families are carrying human
excreta on their heads. Then, they will feel the suffering of those
condemned to do so for life."Stark Truths Of Hinduism: The Hindu Right fears not conversions but
equitable society http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne251008proscons.asp UDIT RAJ, Chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations RIGHT-WING HINDUS never had any issue with Christians or with conversion
when it came to using - and exploiting - Christian institutions. They have
had no problem in availing Christian medical facilities. No abhorrence has
been evinced toward convent schools, where the so-called upper castes were
taught the English that got them jobs abroad and enabled them to
articulate their views at global forums. That changed around 1998, when
the BJP came to power. Targetting Christians became politically useful. A
massive campaign was launched against Sonia Gandhi, making an issue of a
person of foreign and Christian origin wielding power over a Hindu
majority country. It culminated in the hatred for Christians, who are now
seen as villains instead of the gentle community they had hitherto been
known as. Wisdom lies in understanding the causes which escalate the processes of
hatred. So it becomes our responsibility to fathom the mystery of
conversion, usually assigned as the basis for attacks on Christians. The
RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP blame those said to offer inducements to convert;
they also accuse the global Church of pumping money into India to
influence the country's have-nots. In such a context, the word
'conversion' becomes synonymous with 'terrorism', a connotation that could
not be further from the truth. What does conversion mean except the choice
of another faith or ideology? Laws against conversion are in operation in
several states and, to date, not one case has been reported where a
conversion was made in the greed for inducements. What worries the Sangh Parivar is not the welfare of dalits but a possible
reduction in upper-caste Hindu numbers. Their prejudice is so entrenched
that they are not in a position to sense the agony of those who suffer
under the caste-based system. In general, Hindu believers treat the
disadvantaged as sinners reaping the fruits of a past life. Thus, a leper
is to be shunned; the exploitation of dalits is justified. On the
contrary, a Christian finds an opportunity for spiritual fulfillment in
serving the leper and healing the sick. Before they build churches,
Christians normally build schools and hospitals. Why do major Hindu
religious establishments involve themselves only in collecting donations
and not in performing such community services? Let us examine the few hopes still left for Hinduism. Are dalits, tribals
and members of backward groups allowed to become priests? Tall claims are
made of dalits being trained to become priests or being welcomed to take
up Hindu rituals. But, on the ground, the traditional situation has not
changed. Though physical untouchability receded in the 20th century, the
mental block remains. The Hindu Right and the socalled upper castes see 'saving' Hinduism as
their mission. But, in this competition with Islam, Christianity and
Buddhism, the superficial brotherhood shown by right-wing Hindu
organisations toward tribals and dalits does not ultimately win their
hearts. Unless the problems inherent to Hinduism are addressed, conversion
can never be stopped. A Christian marries his or her co-religionist; a
Muslim does the same. Is that possible for Hindus across caste? Are the
upper castes ready to welcome reservation for their Hindu brothers? Is
their society ready for inter-dining and for inter-caste marriages?
Without these conditions being fulfilled, no one on earth can stop the
rejection of Hinduism by the so-called lower castes. The so-called upper
castes can only stop conversion if they introspect, eradicate the evil in
the caste system, and visualise themselves in a situation where they and
their families are carrying human excreta on their heads. Then, they will
feel the suffering of those condemned to do so for life. (Udit Raj is a dalit activist)
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