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Some thoughts/excerpts on "I could not be #Hindu" by a former #RSS sevak/worker Bhanwar Meghwanshi, a #Dalit.
The book is really worth reading, just like #Ambedkar's "Annihilation of #Caste".
It is a unique 'testimony' to the RSS's #casteism.
Thread
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![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErMlmNjVoAEXva6.jpg)
2/23
Bhanwar experienced this as well.
3/23
Bhanwar, like so many other Swayamsevaks, joined the RSS at a very young age, mostly to exercise and play traditional games. But he was gradually presented the history and the culture of his society in a manner which made him proud of being a Hindu and angry because...
These “gurus” were pracharaks who were almost venerated by the young swayamsevaks.
5/23
Bhanwar’s ethnographic account is very revealing of the RSS’s modus operandum. On one hand, its pracharaks, because of their life style, attract support from all quarters, including the local notables (mostly traders); on the other hand...
Dalits particularly appreciate this attitude because they are usually ostracised.
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Soon after Bhanwar fully realised the resilience of caste in the RSS on another occasion: while he had prepared food for Sangh parivar members who were touring his district, they refused to come to his home for eating.
Instead they took the food with them....
16/23
This episode echoes the moment when the little #Ambedkar & his siblings, on their way to their father’s place of work, had to drive the cart themselves b'coz the tongawala believed in caste stigma.
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The subsequent trajectory of Bhanwa is a fascinating one.
1st, he had to cope with huge psychological problems, revealing of the challenges that Dalits face in many parts of India, especially when they feel betrayed and rejected by the rest of society....
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More from India
Ambedker's 22 vows Vs BUDDHISM
/Read it Full /
Ambedker-1: I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh nor shall I worship them
BUDDHISM: I believe in them as a subordinate to buddha, we have different philoshphical model regarding them,we have many eg ,My many sect...
.Worship them , respect them ; some sects consider them to be emanation of Boddhisatva Avlokiteshwara,In tantra they are worshipped
A2: I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna who are believed to be incarnation of God nor shall I worship them
B: Buddha says Rama was his.
.. previous life ,and Krishna was one of previous life of Sariputta ,My many sects worship them as previous life of Buddha, Krishna is not very much known but his sculpture is seen in Buddhist temples,you can pay respect to them atleast
A3: shall have no faith in ‘Gauri’, Ganapati and other gods and goddesses of Hindus nor shall I worship them
B: Hindu goddess gauri and Ganesha is widely accepted by us we have our own mantra for them ,they seek dharini from buddha ,Our some sects worship them
A4: I do not believe in the incarnation of God
B: Ok! This is acceptable,but we do have previous life/births of Buddha and rebirth ,which you Rejected
A5: I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of Vishnu I believe this to be sheer madness and false
/Read it Full /
Ambedker-1: I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh nor shall I worship them
BUDDHISM: I believe in them as a subordinate to buddha, we have different philoshphical model regarding them,we have many eg ,My many sect...
Navayan and Buddhism of Ambedkar
— \U0001f1ee\U0001f1f3Sonal \U0001f1ee\U0001f1f3 (@Dharma_Vaarta) January 2, 2021
BR Ambedkar announced to accept Buddhism on 14th October, 1956 in a press conference.
He formed a new sect Navayan inspite of following pre existing sects such as Mahayana, Vajrayan and Heenayan. pic.twitter.com/gQgYtSDzf7
.Worship them , respect them ; some sects consider them to be emanation of Boddhisatva Avlokiteshwara,In tantra they are worshipped
A2: I shall have no faith in Rama and Krishna who are believed to be incarnation of God nor shall I worship them
B: Buddha says Rama was his.
.. previous life ,and Krishna was one of previous life of Sariputta ,My many sects worship them as previous life of Buddha, Krishna is not very much known but his sculpture is seen in Buddhist temples,you can pay respect to them atleast
A3: shall have no faith in ‘Gauri’, Ganapati and other gods and goddesses of Hindus nor shall I worship them
B: Hindu goddess gauri and Ganesha is widely accepted by us we have our own mantra for them ,they seek dharini from buddha ,Our some sects worship them
A4: I do not believe in the incarnation of God
B: Ok! This is acceptable,but we do have previous life/births of Buddha and rebirth ,which you Rejected
A5: I do not and shall not believe that Lord Buddha was the incarnation of Vishnu I believe this to be sheer madness and false
Many are upset at the bus attacks & Red Fort events during #FarmersProtest.
But have you paused to think what has brought about this situation? While magnifying impulsive actions by some protesters, do you miss to see State's systematic violence and erosion of rule of law?
If you are a believer in Constitution and legitimate processes, then the manner in which the Centre pushed the #FarmLaws & handled the #FarmersProstests should leave you distressed.
First, Centre brings these laws as Ordinances on subjects which are apparently in state list, through a colorable use of concurrent list. Principle of federalism negated, at least in spirit, if not in letter.
Then, bills are passed in Parliament without effective discussions.
No one can say for sure if the bills were actually passed in vote in Rajya Sabha. The whole process was brazenly dubious. The live telecast was stopped amid protests. Really shameful events.
So, lawful processes to address dissent undermined.
#FarmersProtest
#FarmLaws
Then some farm groups approach the Supreme Court raising some pertinent questions on constitutionality. Instead of considering legality, court ventures into political thicket by attempting mediation, that too with a hand-picked committee having only members supporting #FarmLaws .
But have you paused to think what has brought about this situation? While magnifying impulsive actions by some protesters, do you miss to see State's systematic violence and erosion of rule of law?
How it started: How it's going: pic.twitter.com/bwkqp3uYQu
— Manu Sebastian (@manuvichar) January 26, 2021
If you are a believer in Constitution and legitimate processes, then the manner in which the Centre pushed the #FarmLaws & handled the #FarmersProstests should leave you distressed.
First, Centre brings these laws as Ordinances on subjects which are apparently in state list, through a colorable use of concurrent list. Principle of federalism negated, at least in spirit, if not in letter.
Then, bills are passed in Parliament without effective discussions.
No one can say for sure if the bills were actually passed in vote in Rajya Sabha. The whole process was brazenly dubious. The live telecast was stopped amid protests. Really shameful events.
So, lawful processes to address dissent undermined.
#FarmersProtest
#FarmLaws
Then some farm groups approach the Supreme Court raising some pertinent questions on constitutionality. Instead of considering legality, court ventures into political thicket by attempting mediation, that too with a hand-picked committee having only members supporting #FarmLaws .