Comments on: Utterly shameful and inexcusable… http://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/ Dedicated to "Bharat" and "Dharma" Tue, 22 May 2012 14:46:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: B Shantanu http://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/comment-page-1/#comment-395530 B Shantanu Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:33:15 +0000 http://hindudharma.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/#comment-395530 Adding this for the record...Apparently RSS has been vocal about this issue...I stand corrected. Excerpt from <a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-01-03/india/27884065_1_jagannath-temple-upper-caste-dalits" rel="nofollow">RSS rips into ban on Dalits entering temples</a> dt an 3, 2007, 07.32pm IST <i>NEW DELHI: Following up on its radical call last year to train and appoint Dalits as priests in Hindu temples, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has severely condemned the barring of Dalits from a temple in Orissa recently. An year-end editorial in the Sangh mouthpiece Panchjanya termed as unfortunate the discriminatory attitude of temple authorities at the Jagannath temple in Kerdagarh saying it was "shameful that even in 2006 there are temples where Dalits are disallowed ... Even God will desert the temple that Dalits cannot enter." ... The editorial further states that after the intervention of several senior religious leaders, Dalits have been allowed to enter the Kerdagarh temple. However, there are two paths leading up to the area from where devotees offer prayers – one for the "so-called upper castes" and one for Dalits. This, it says, is wrong and has to be amended forthwith. "There should be one path for all Hindus." The RSS has castigated what it repeatedly calls the "so-called uppers castes" for their discriminatory ways saying they are in fact of the "lowest levels" for doing so. "Those who are against allowing Dalits inside temples are against the Hindu Samaj", it states emphatically. "There should be no Hindu temple which discriminates against people on the basis of caste." Further, it says, "those Dalits who are being provoked to change their views through such incidents have to be assured that crores of Hindus are with them.</i> Adding this for the record…Apparently RSS has been vocal about this issue…I stand corrected.
Excerpt from RSS rips into ban on Dalits entering temples dt an 3, 2007, 07.32pm IST
NEW DELHI: Following up on its radical call last year to train and appoint Dalits as priests in Hindu temples, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has severely condemned the barring of Dalits from a temple in Orissa recently.

An year-end editorial in the Sangh mouthpiece Panchjanya termed as unfortunate the discriminatory attitude of temple authorities at the Jagannath temple in Kerdagarh saying it was “shameful that even in 2006 there are temples where Dalits are disallowed … Even God will desert the temple that Dalits cannot enter.”
…
The editorial further states that after the intervention of several senior religious leaders, Dalits have been allowed to enter the Kerdagarh temple. However, there are two paths leading up to the area from where devotees offer prayers – one for the “so-called upper castes” and one for Dalits. This, it says, is wrong and has to be amended forthwith. “There should be one path for all Hindus.”

The RSS has castigated what it repeatedly calls the “so-called uppers castes” for their discriminatory ways saying they are in fact of the “lowest levels” for doing so. “Those who are against allowing Dalits inside temples are against the Hindu Samaj”, it states emphatically. “There should be no Hindu temple which discriminates against people on the basis of caste.”

Further, it says, “those Dalits who are being provoked to change their views through such incidents have to be assured that crores of Hindus are with them.

]]> By: B Shantanu http://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/comment-page-1/#comment-65152 B Shantanu Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:26:40 +0000 http://hindudharma.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/#comment-65152 From <a href="http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-76839.html" rel="nofollow">A temple where upper castes bow to Dalits</a>: ...Situated along the banks of the Yamuna river, the temple is sought after by the residents of Lakhna town for holding marriages, 'mundan' (tonsure ceremony of Hindu children) or other rituals particularly performed by Brahmins or members of the upper caste. "It's not just a temple. It's a place that is an example of social equality," said Umesh Dixit, who owns several garment shops in Lakhna town. "People in Lakhna also approach the priests to name their babies as it is believed that names given by Dalit priests would bring good luck and prosperity to the children and their families," he added. According to locals, there's a story behind the custom of Dalit priests. They say King Jaipal Singh, who got the temple constructed, made it mandatory that the priest of the temple would only be a Dalit. "While the construction of the temple was under way, Jaipal Singh noticed a Dalit labourer, Chhotelal, was being assaulted by a group of upper caste people for touching the idol that was to be placed inside the temple," said another resident Ram Raksha Pandey, who owns an eating joint in Lakhna. "Jaipalji soon intervened in the matter and said only Chhotelal and his family would be taking care of the temple after its construction. Since then, the practice has been alive," he added. From A temple where upper castes bow to Dalits:

…Situated along the banks of the Yamuna river, the temple is sought after by the residents of Lakhna town for holding marriages, ‘mundan’ (tonsure ceremony of Hindu children) or other rituals particularly performed by Brahmins or members of the upper caste.

“It’s not just a temple. It’s a place that is an example of social equality,” said Umesh Dixit, who owns several garment shops in Lakhna town.

“People in Lakhna also approach the priests to name their babies as it is believed that names given by Dalit priests would bring good luck and prosperity to the children and their families,” he added.

According to locals, there’s a story behind the custom of Dalit priests. They say King Jaipal Singh, who got the temple constructed, made it mandatory that the priest of the temple would only be a Dalit.

“While the construction of the temple was under way, Jaipal Singh noticed a Dalit labourer, Chhotelal, was being assaulted by a group of upper caste people for touching the idol that was to be placed inside the temple,” said another resident Ram Raksha Pandey, who owns an eating joint in Lakhna.

“Jaipalji soon intervened in the matter and said only Chhotelal and his family would be taking care of the temple after its construction. Since then, the practice has been alive,” he added.

]]> By: Rohit http://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/comment-page-1/#comment-53041 Rohit Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:20:59 +0000 http://hindudharma.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/#comment-53041 Bigotry has to go away. These stupid so called Kshatriyas and Brahmins who hide under the sarees of females need to be kicked around in butt like a football. People should go to Arya Samaj, read Sanskrit, understand and master Vedas, Upnishads and also join RSS Bigotry has to go away. These stupid so called Kshatriyas and Brahmins who hide under the sarees of females need to be kicked around in butt like a football. People should go to Arya Samaj, read Sanskrit, understand and master Vedas, Upnishads and also join RSS

]]> By: B Shantanu http://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/comment-page-1/#comment-52980 B Shantanu Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:01:51 +0000 http://hindudharma.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/#comment-52980 From <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_dalits-enter-shiva-temple-for-first-time-in-900-years_1319864" rel="nofollow">Dalits enter Shiva temple for first time in 900 years</a>: The Dalits of Kisinapur village in Cuttack district took a big step on Wednesday. They walked inside the 900-year-old Chhateswar temple in their village, which has been out of bounds for them, and offered prayers to Lord Shiva. They were received at the temple gate by the priests and served 'prasad'. ...Dr Biswajit Ray, spokesperson, Rastriya Yuva Sangathan (that organised the padayatra), said the Dalits felt good about this gesture from Brahmins. "There was no palpable tension. Both sections of society exchanged pleasantries on the occasion," he said. Later, the villagers dined together in a grand community feast organised on the occasion. The programme had been planned to build a bridge between Dalits and the upper castes. And that's exactly what happened. From Dalits enter Shiva temple for first time in 900 years:

The Dalits of Kisinapur village in Cuttack district took a big step on Wednesday. They walked inside the 900-year-old Chhateswar temple in their village, which has been out of bounds for them, and offered prayers to Lord Shiva. They were received at the temple gate by the priests and served ‘prasad’.

…Dr Biswajit Ray, spokesperson, Rastriya Yuva Sangathan (that organised the padayatra), said the Dalits felt good about this gesture from Brahmins. “There was no palpable tension. Both sections of society exchanged pleasantries on the occasion,” he said. Later, the villagers dined together in a grand community feast organised on the occasion.

The programme had been planned to build a bridge between Dalits and the upper castes. And that’s exactly what happened.

]]> By: S Rao Allada http://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/comment-page-1/#comment-957 S Rao Allada Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:21:22 +0000 http://hindudharma.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/shameful-and-inexcusable/#comment-957 I have not seen your original article. My comments concern what I have read here in this piece.
I am delighted to read your forthright stand Hindu caste system, the need to reform. I commend
you for views championing the reform of Hinduism.

I wholeheartedly agree and commend your suggestion: “Every Hindu, irrespective of his caste,
has a right to enter any Hindu temple which is open to other persons
professing the same religion,”

I am so happy to learn the work you are doing to help reform Hinduism.
I hope to be in touch with you later. I am writing a book found the true
meaning of Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Sudra in the Bhagavad Gita,
which are based on gunas. This for another time.

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