Let us truly abolish the caste system by striking at its roots, instead of trying to perpetuate it through reservations. What we need to ensure is that students, regardless of their caste, are given the means to compete fairly for higher education. By all means, let the government subsidise higher education for students who have the merit, but not the money. Again, regardless of their caste. But when it comes to higher education, let it be done purely on merit.

Opinion
      20/05/2018
                1240

Sub : Let us truly abolish the caste system by striking at its roots, instead of trying to perpetuate it through reservations. What we need to ensure is that students, regardless of their caste, are given the means to compete fairly for higher education. By all means, let the government subsidise higher education for students who have the merit, but not the money. Again, regardless of their caste.
But when it comes to higher education, let it be done purely on merit.

Ref :Statement against Caste-based Discrimination: Swami Tejomayananda, Chairman and Spiritual Head, Chinmaya Mission

Background:-

1.
Swami Chinmayananda founded Chinmaya Mission in 1953. Not satisfied with degrees in literature and law or with other worldly aspirations, Swami Chinmayananda pursued the spiritual path in the Himalayas under the guidance of Swami Shivananda and Swami Tapovanam. He taught the logic of spirituality, while emphasizing the balance of head and heart. Selfless work, study, and meditation are the cornerstones of spiritual practice, he said. He is credited with the renaissance of spiritual and cultural values in India and with awakening the rest of the world to the ageless wisdom of Vedanta. His legacy remains in the form of books, audio and video tapes, schools, social service projects, more than 300 full-time Vedanta teachers whom he taught and inspired and more than 300 Chinmaya Mission centers around the world serving the spiritual and cultural needs of local communities.

2.
Swami Tejomayananda, a devoted disciple of Swami Chinmayananda, has served as the Chairman and spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide since Swami Chinmayananda’s mahasamadhi in1993. He is an outstanding teacher of Vedanta and an accomplished poet, author, and composer. Swami Tejomayananda joined the Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhnalaya, Mumbai in 1970 and was initiated into the sanyasa in 1983 by Swami Chinmayananda.

Statement :-

When asked about this topic, Swami Tejomayananda, offered the words of his guru Swami Chinmayananda: -

Chapter - 4, Slokam - 13 of the Bhagavad Gita:

"Chaatur varnyam mayaa srstam guna-karma-vibhagashaha,
Tasya kartaaram-api maam viddhya-kartaaram-avyayam."

The fourfold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna and Karma; though I am the author thereof, know Me as non-doer and immutable.

This is a Slokam that has been much misused in recent times by the upholders of the social crime styled as the caste system in India.

On the basis of temperamental distinctions, the entire mankind has been, for the purpose of spiritual study, classified into these four “colours” or Varnas.  Just as, in a metropolis, on the basis of trade or professions, we divide the people as doctors, advocates, professors, traders, politicians, drivers, etc., so too, on the basis of the different textures of thoughts entertained by the intelligent creatures, the four “colours” had been labeled in the past.  From the standpoint of the State, a doctor and a driver are as much important as an advocate and a mechanic.  So too, for the perfectly healthy life of a society, all “varnas” should not be competitive but cooperative units, each being complementary to the others, never competing among themselves.

However, later on, in the power politics of the early middle ages in India, this communal feeling cropped up in its present ugliness, and in the general ignorance among the ordinary people at the time, the cheap pundits could parade their assumed knowledge by quoting, in bits, stanzas like this one.  The decadent Hindu Brahmin found it very convenient to quote the first quarter of this stanza, and repeat “I created the four varnas” and give this tragic social vivisection a divine look having a godly sanction.  They, who did this, were in fact, the greated blasphemers that Hinduism ever had to reckon with.  For Vyasa, in the very same line of the couplet, as though in the very same breath, described the basis on which this classification was made, when he says, “By the differentiation of the mental quality and physical action (of the people)."

This complete definition of Varna not only removes our present misunderstanding but also provides us with some data to understand its true significance.  Not by birth is man a brahmana (Brahmin); by cultivating good intentions and noble thoughts alone can we ever aspire to brahmana-hood; nor can we pose as brahmana merely because of our external physical marks, or bodily actions in the outer world.  The definition insists that he alone is a brahmana whose thoughts are as much Sattvik as his actions are.  A Kshatriya is one who is Rajasik in his thoughts and actions.  A Shudra is not only one whose thoughts are Tamasik, also he who lives a life of low endeavors, for satisfying his base animal passions and flesh-appetites.  The scientific attitude in which this definition has been declared is clear from the exhaustive implications of the statement: “According to the differentiation of ‘guna’ and karma.’"

NOTE :-

LIST OF SCHEDULED CASTES IN THE KERALA STATE

( As amended by the Scheduled Castes and Sceduled Tribes Order (Amendment Act) 1976 and as amended by the Constitution (Sceduled castes) Orders (Second Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 61 of 2002) vide Part VIII- Kerala- Schedule I notified in the Gazette of India, dated 18 December, 2002) and (As amended by the Scheduled Castes and Sceduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act 2002 (Act 10 of 2003) vide Part VII- Kerala- Second Schedule notified in the Gazette of India dated 8 January, 2003)

1. Adi Andhra
2. Adi Dravida
3. Adi Karnataka
4. Ajila
5. Arunthathiyar
6. Ayyanavar
7. Baira
8. Bakuda
9. Bathada
10. Bharathar (Other than Parathar),Paravan
11. Chakkiliyan
12. Chamar,Muchi
13. Chandala
14. Cheruman
15. Domban
16. Gosangi
17. Hasla
18. Holeya
19. Kadaiyan
20. Kakkalan, Kakkan
21. Kalladi
22. Kanakkan, Padanna, Padannan
23. Kavara (Other than Telugu speaking or Tamil speaking Balija, Kavarai, Gavara, Gavari, Gavarai Naidu, Balija Naidu, Gajalu Balija or Valai Chetty)
24. Koosa
25. Kootan, Koodan
26. Kudumban
27. Kuruvan, Sidhanar, Kuravar, Kuruva, Sidhana
28. Maila
29. Malayan (In the areas comprising the Malabar District as specified by sub section (2) of section 5 of the State Re-organisation Act, 1956 (37 of 1956)
30. Mannan, Pathiyan, Perumannan, Vannan, Velan
31. Moger (Other than Mogeyar)
32. Mundala
33. Nalakeyava
34. Nalkadaya
35. Nayadi
36. Pallan
37. Pulluvan
38. Pambada
39. Panan
40. Paraiyan, Parayan, Sambavar, Sambavan, Sambava, Paraya, Paraiya, Parayar
41. Pulayan, Cheramar, Pulaya, Pulayar, Cherama, Cheraman, Wayanad Pulayan, Wayanadan Pulayan, Matha, Matha Pulayan
42. Puthirai Vannan
43. Reneyar
44. Samagara
45. Samban
46. Semman, Chemman, Chemmar
47. Thandan
48. Thotti
49. Vallon
50. Valluvan
51. Vedan
52. Vettuvan, Pulaya Vettuvan (In the areas of erstwhile Cochin States only)
53. Nerian

LIST OF SCHEDULED TRIBES IN THE KERALA STATE

( As amended by the Scheduled Castes and Sceduled Tribes Order (Amendment Act) 1976 and as amended by the Constitution (Sceduled castes) Orders (Second Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 61 of 2002) vide Part VIII- Kerala- Schedule I notified in the Gazette of India, dated 18 December, 2002) and (As amended by the Scheduled Castes and Sceduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act 2002 (Act 10 of 2003) vide Part VII- Kerala- Second Schedule notified in the Gazette of India dated 8 January, 2003)

1. Adiyan
2. Aranda (Arandan)
3. Eravallan
4. Hill Pulaya(Mala Pulayan, Kurumba Pulayan, Karavazhi Pulayan, Pamba Pulayan)
5. Irular,Irulan
6. Kadar (Wayanad Kadar)
7. Kanikkaran,Kanikar
8. Karimpalan
9. Kattunayakan
10. Kochuvelan
11. Koraga
12. Kudiya,Melakudi
13. Kurichchan (Kurichiyan)
14. Kurumans (Mullu Kuruman, Mulla Kuruman, Mala Kuruman)
15. Kurumbas (Kurumbar, Kurumban)
16. Mahamalasar
17. Malai Arayan (Mala Arayan)
18. Malai Pandaran
19. Malai Vedan (Mala Vedan)
20. Malakkuravan
21. Malasar
22. Malayan, Nattu Malayan, Konga Malayan (Excluding the areas comprising the Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode Districts)
23. Mavilan
24. Malayarayar
25. Mannan (to be spelt in Malayalam script in parenthisis)
26. Muthuvan,Mudugar,Muduvan
27. Palleyan, Palliyan, Paliyar, Palliya
28. Paniyan
29. Ulladan, Ullatan
30. Uraly
31. Mala Vettuvan (in Kasaragod and Kannur Districts)
32. Ten Kurumban, Jenu Kurumban
33. Thachenadan, Thachenadan, Moopan
34. Cholanaickan
35. Malapanickar 36. Vettakuruman

LIST OF OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES IN KERALA STATE

I Through out the State

1. Agasa
2. Ambalakkaran
3. Anglo Indian
4. Aremahrati
5. Arya
6. Bandari
7. Billava
8. Chakkala
9. Chavalakkaran
10. Chetties (Kottar Chetties,Parakka Chetties,Elur Chetties,Attingal Chetties,Pudukkada Chetties,Iraniel Chetties, Sri Pandara Chetties, Telugu Chetties, Udiyankulangara Chetties, Peroorkada Chetties, Sadhu Chetties, 24 Mana Chetties, Wayanadan Chetties, Kalavara Chetties and 24 Mana Telugu Chetties)
11. Devadiga
12. Devanga
13. Dheevara (Arayan,Valan, Nulayan,Mukkuvan,Arayavathi,Valinjiar,Paniakkal,Mukaya,Bovi ,Mukayar and Mukaveeran)
14. Ezhava and Thiyya
15. Ezhavathi
16. Ezhuthachan
17. Ganika
18. Gatti
19. Gowda
20. Hegde
21. Jogi
22. Kadupattan
23. Kaikolan
24. Kolasari, Kalasi Panicker
25. Kalari Kurup or Kalari Panicker
26. Viswakaramas including Asari Chaptegra, Kallassary,Kalthachan,Kammala,Kamsala, Kannan,Karuvan,Kitaran,Kollan,Malayala Kammala, Moosari,Pandikammala,Pandithattan,Perumkolllan,Thachan,Thattan, Vilkurup,Villasan,Viswabrahmanan or Viswabrahmanar and Viswakarmala
27. Kannadiyans
28. Kanisu or Kaniyar Panicker ,Kani or Kaniyan (Ganaka) or Kanisan or Kamnan
29. Kavuthiyan
30. Kavudiyaru
31. Koteyar
32. Krishnanvaka
33. Kerala Mudali
34. Kudumbi
35. Kusavan(Kulala,Kulala Nair,Andhra Nair or Anthuru Nair)
36. Kumbarans
37. Kuruba
38. Latin Catholics
39. Madivalas
40. Mahendra-Medara
41. Maravans
42. Maruthuvar
43. Muslim or Mappila
44. Nadar (Hindu)
45. Naikkans
46. Odans
47. Scheduled Castes Converted to Christianity
48. Pandithars
49. Panniyar
50. Pattariyas
51. Peruvannan (Varanavar)
52. Rajapur
53. Chakravar,Sakravar(Kavathi)
54. Sourashtras
55. Saliya, Chaliya (Chaliyan)
56. Senai Thalavan (Elavaniar)
57. S.I.U.C (Excluding Nadar)
58. S.I.U.C
59. Thachar
60. Tholkollans
61. Thottian
62. Vaduvans,Vadugans,Vadukkars and Vaduka (Vadukans)
63. Velaans (Velaan, Velaar)
64. Vanian (Vanika,Vanika Vaisya,Vanibha Chetty,Vaniya Chettty,Ayiravar, Nagarathar and Vaniyan)
65. Vaniar
66. Vakkaliga
67. Veerasaivas (Yogis and Yogeeswara, Poopandaram/ Malapandaram and Jangam)
68. Veluthedathu Nair (Veluthedan and Vannathan)
69. Vilakkithala Nair (Vilakithalavan)
70. Yadavas (Kolaya, Ayar, Mayar, Maniyani and Iruman)
71. Kongu Navithan, Vettuva Navithan and Aduthon
72. Moopar or Kallan Mooppan or Kallan Mooppar.

II In Malabar District

1. Boyan
2. Ganjan Reddis
3. Visanavan

III.Throughout the State except Malabar District


1.Kammara
2.Malayan
3.Malayekandi
4.Reddiars

IV Throuth out the State except Kasaragod Taluk Malabar District


1.Marati

Explanation :- Malabar District shall mean the Malabar District referred to in sub-section (2) of section 5 of the State Reorganisation Act,1956.

OPINION :-

1. IF ONE SMALL STATE KERALA HAS SUCH A LONG LIST OF BENEFICIARIES ON THE BASIS OF CASTES;

2. IMAGINE THE VOLUME OF THE LIST OF WHOLE BHARATHAM; !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. WHY SUCH CRUELTY TO KEEP CITIZENS IN SUCH FOOLISH DIVISIVE LIST?

4. WHY THE CITIZENS DON'T WANT TO COME OUT OF THIS LIST/GROUPISM BY CASTE?

5. ONE QUESTION, WHY YOU WANT CASTE IDENTITY?

6. IF IT IS FOR RESERVATION AND BENEFITS, SAME CAN BE ACHIEVED BY ECONOMY BASIS / INCOME BASIS;

7. ARE WE NOT ASHAMED BY OUR THIS SILLY MEAN DEED?

8. BEFORE THE WORLD WE BROADCAST OUR SLAVERY TO CASTE SYSTEM; PITY INDEED!!!!!!

9. POLITICIANS ARE BEGGERS, THEY NEED THIS, FOR VOTE CONGRESS, COMMUNISTS AND ALL STUPID REGIONAL PARTIES;

10. ALL BUGGERS IN DIFFERENT POLITICAL COLOURS, SHED CROCODILE TEARS, FREQUENTLY PROUNCING DALITS AND MUSLIMS .... ALL NAMES OF MINORITIES, NOT BECAUSE OF LOVE,DEARNESS, BUT BECAUSE OF VOTES ONLY.

IMPORTANT :-

1.What is needed are scholarships(100% if required) and good education and not reservation. 2.The reservation only divides the society more on lines of caste. 3.People who won't care about caste till 16 would then hate someone getting admission into elite institutions just because of his/her birth.4. Giving opportunities is one thing, but dolling out seats just for vote bank politics is a shame. 5. If reservation since 50's has not been enough, then when will it be enough? 6. Unfortunately, no one wants to question the relevance of reservation so as not to make the strong political lobby of SC/ST/OBC unhappy.7. One should know that something is wrong with reservations if communities like Gujjars protest and strike so that they get the share of reservation.

JAIHIND

VANDEMATHARAM