Other States - Himachal Pradesh   

`Manu's varna system needs a contemporary touch'

By Our Staff Correspondent

SHIMLA, SEPT. 15. The Himachal Pradesh Governor, V.S. Kokje, today called upon the country's social scientists to work for evolving some scientific and viable approach for maintaining proper social order and growth of Indian society. He said that "Varna Vyavastha" has remained an undisputed social classification based on division of labour since centuries but with the passage of time it had gathered various drawbacks, which needed to be corrected according to the present scenario of the country.

The Governor was addressing participants of the symposium on `Varna Vyvastha and its Contemporary Relevance with special reference to the Philosophical Thought of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar' held here at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. The Governor also conducted the proceedings of the symposium and chaired both its sessions.

Expressing his concern over the deteriorating social order in the country, the Governor said that the old varna system in our society was based on scientific approach according to the classification of labour but not based on the birth of the person.

He said that Varna was not a water-tight compartment in our society. It was very much flexible and there was sufficient room for those belonging to the lower varnas to rise. Giving a historical account, the Governor said that in the beginning there were only three varnas - Brahman, Kshatriya and Vaishyas. Shudras were added later. He said Kshatriyas and not Brahmins propagated Brahmanism. He cited the example of Manu, the law-giver, who was a Kshatriya, but had become Brahmin due to his action. He quoted several instances from ancient Indian texts.

Referring to the philosophical thought of Dr. Ambedkar's Varna system, the Governor opined that Dr. Ambedkar opposed `Varna vyavastha' as he perceived it to be impractical and oppressive.

Earlier, speaking at the symposium Dr Yogendra Singh, eminent Sociologist and Professor Emeritus at Jawahar Lal Nehru University said that Ambedkar's ideals were philosophical but were rooted in the historiography of India. Not only was he dedicated to the cause of the Dalit uplift, he was also committed for a strong India. There were three phases of Ambedkar's struggle. In the first phase which lasted till 1936, he made an attempt to reform Hinduism. However, when the attempt did not succeed, he turned against Hinduism. It was during this time that he wrote `Annihilation of Caste', which was a revolt against traditional Hinduism. In the third phase which was after independence, he resorted to constitutional measures.

Dr Bhagwan Das, an expert on Ambedkar said that Varna is still very much alive in India, although it is not as strong as it was in earlier times. There were times when people revolted against it -- Ambedkar being one of them - which has led to the dilution of its impact. He added that the castes are still multiplying, specially among the Shudras.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Snowfall in Lahaul, Spiti
`Manu's varna system needs a contemporary touch'
Delhi woman found murdered

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu