[Reader-list] > 4. American Imperialism, Hindu Brahmanism, Islamic Terrorism

[Kshmendra Kaul]

Dear Radhakrishnan
 
Just one point.
 
"Brahmanism" does not refer to Brahmins alone when used in a sociological or political reference frames. It encompasses all 3 Varna ie Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya. These 3 were considered to be 'twice born'. In varying degrees each had privileges. 
 
The ones spoken about and treated in the most horrific manner were the Shudras.
 
The deeprooted anger, resentment and contempt of the Shudras towards the other 3 is fully understandable. In my opinion, it is also welcome for the purpose of rectifying many of the 'ills' of India. 
 
Kshmendra
 

--- On Fri, 7/25/08, Radhakrishnan <krishnanrr at rediffmail.com> wrote:

From: Radhakrishnan <krishnanrr at rediffmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] > 4. American Imperialism, Hindu Brahmanism, Islamic Terrorism
To: reader-list at sarai.net
Date: Friday, July 25, 2008, 12:07 PM

Dear All,
I am at loss to understand why there has been a systematic campaign and use of
abusive language mocking at people based on their birth, ethnicity etc.

Logically speaking Upper caste since last 30 years doesn't mean Brahmins in
Tamilnad where Dalits are hounded by non Brahmin Upper Caste some of whom are
classified as OBCs though there is no indicator to highlight their social or
economic backwardness. So is the case in states like Uttar Pradesh.Instead of
certain city based anglicised writers kindly try to seek opinion from Dalit
thinkers and writiers (15% SC and 7% ST)So if it some research scholars are
writing then kindly exercise caution. 

Secondly why the problem of casteism is being taken out of context for
addressing other issues. WHy should brahmanism or even brahmins be targetted
for the prevailing inequality among Christian, Muslims and Buddhist societies.
One does convert to other faith and certainly exercise conversion as moral
weapon as Baba saheb exercised this choice. After all Indian social order
can't be the referece point to address the xenophobic tendencies in Europe
vis a vis the Turks, Kurdish people, the deeply embedded prejudices against the
Afro-Americans in the US (Mohammad Ali from Cassius Clay, the Rosa Parks, Rodney
King episode etc). 

Finally why Hindu and Islamic religion are so selectively targetted for
religious extremism. In India we are witness to Hindu or Islamic
communalism/fundamentalism and not fascism.Earlier we had witnessed Sikh
extremism for some time during 1980-1990.There are also pockets of Christian
fundamentalism (kerala, Naga extremism etc)in the country but certainly quite
small in propotion compared to Hindu and Muslim communalism. One could avoid
these colonial obsession with western terminologies. After all how would one
address issues of internal colonialism within India and misgovernance. Ther has
been upteen no of cases where in so called cosmopolitan cities like Delhi people
from Northeast, South are mocked at, their intellect lampooned on the baseis of
their appearance and colour. Is it also a classic example of Hindu brahmanism!

Radhakrishnan


>Message: 4
>Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:34:16 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Kshmendra Kaul <kshmendra2005 at yahoo.com>
>Subject: [Reader-list] American Imperialism, Hindu Brahmanism,	Islamic
> 	Terrorism
>To: sarai list <reader-list at sarai.net>
>Message-ID: <999742.76199.qm at web57211.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>Just thinking aloud.
>Â
>One often comes across people (on SARAI and elsewhere) that can see:
>Â
>- Imperialism as the defining aspect of the Americans/USA (usually to the
exclusion of all else)
>Â
>- Brahmanism as the defining aspect of Hindus/Hinduism (usually to the
exclusion of all else)
>Â
>- Terrorism as the defining aspect of Muslims/Islam (usually to the
exclusion of all else)
>Â
>These are just 3 examples.
>Â
>In a curious sort of way such sets of people (whichever their favourite
'hate' might be) are alike in the manner in which they view things.
Their 'obsessiveness' clouds their intellect and ability to look at
things in context.Â
>Â
>Just a thought.
>Â
>Kshmendra


Cell - 9818063517
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