Resistance/Anti-Caste

Movements
Buddhism: Revolution and counter-
revolution
• There are 3 great traditions of Buddhist thought –
• 1. Thervada - oldest early Buddhism – Sri lanka, Burma, Thailand &
Cambodia
• 2. Mahayana – Eastern originates in India and spreads to China,
Vietnam, Korea and Japan
• 3. Vajrayana – Believes in esoteric healing and social transformation,
found in Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan
• Digha Nikaya has 34 chapters or discourses.
• 27th part is the Aggannasutta…(origin of universe, social order, caste system,
Buddha's argument of transcending social order based on hierarchy.)
• Dialogue between Buddha and two Brahmins; Bharadwaj and Vasettha who were
being trained for joining the sangha.
• the two brahmins are insulted and maligned by their own caste for their intention to
become members of the Sangha. Buddha explains that caste and lineage cannot be
compared to the achievement of morality practice and the Dhamma, as anyone from the
four castes can become a monk and reach the state of Arahant.
• Then, he explains about the beginning of the Earth and the birth of social order and its
structure, including the castes. The Buddha emphasizes the message of universality in
the Dhamma and how the Dhamma is the best of all things.
• Literal meaning of the Agganna Sutta=the discourse on what is primary.
• Gombrich- “Satire” on Brahminical order
• Sugunasiri- Devolution and Evolution=scientific.
Origin of Universe
• Life existed before the formation of solar system (sun, earth and
moon……1000 Sun in a Galaxy).
• Delicate bodyless…..floating ethereal…beings…
• Water fed…………earth…..then fungi….rice…
• Thick skin…..colour change…..sun, moon, day, night…
• Sexual identity developed…..living in hut…..private property……greed
theft….violence…. murder…anarchy…
• Human life is natural creation… not divine one ….
Origin of State
• Tired of anarchy people chose amongst themselves the best and most
able person for punishing the wrong doer and protecting the virtuous.
• In return for this service, people promised to give 1/6 of their Rice to
the elect ‘Mahasammata’ (Theory of ‘Great Elect’)
• The view of kingship in state origin theory is not that of a ‘ universal
emperor’, the cakkavatti but is of the ‘ Great Appointee’.
• Basis of kingship involve psychological factors rather than divine will.
• Contract between people and king for limited purpose of maintaining
order…not befitting cosmic order……befitting dhamma not dharma.
Nature of state and model of government
• Buddhist Sanghas = Republican
• But Supports Monarchical theory=King is equal to state to protect the private property
(theft) and family (Dhamma).
• Terms used for state are; Rathha (Country) Rajja(Kingdom) or vrjita (subjugated territory).
• Concept of Ideal state :-
• The territory, which is without thorns (Akantaka) and untroubled (Annuppīla)
• where people live in happiness, peace, harmony without fear, without locking their doors…
• Ideal state is rational, it ensures social justice, equity, it is progressive, moralistic.
• happy and joyous, living in homes with open doors and playing peacefully with children in
their laps; Wicked are punished; punishment is to be used to deter the potential offenders;
king to have absolute powers to banish culprits from his kingdom and also to execute the
convicted criminals;…………………..
Changing role of State
• First Phase:- maintain law and order (ruler called Mahasammata).
• Second Phase:- Theory of 2 wheels; Ana (command) and Dhamma
(righteousness); ruler called Khattiya-ahdipati of khetta; relationship
between sangha and emerging monarchical kingdoms.
• Third phase:- state-as an instrument of Dhamma; state becoming an
ethical institution guiding people to live virtuous life and attain
nibbana; Ruler called Chakravatti Dhammiko Dhammaraja (Ashoka).
Origin of Social Order
• The Khattiya Caste (Rulers)-Landed ruling class
• The Brahmin Caste-Priestly class
• The Vessa (Traders) and the Sudda (Hunters)-
• The Ascetics---

Buddha breaks the divine myths that justifies the hierarchy……..

Three Elements
• Dhamma: Good in beginning, good in middle, good in end; dhamma is what is really
is. The doctrine of reality. Law of Nature.
• Buddha: Enlightenment
• Sangha : Collective Wisdom
3 fundamental principles of phenomenal world
• 1. Annica – impermanence
• 2. Annata – NO self
• 3. Dukha – Suffering
4 Noble Truth
• 1. Existential fact of suffering
• 2. Its cause
• 3. Its cessation
• 4. Path leading to its cessation
Later Anti caste Discourses
• Shaivism
• Kabir
• Ravidas.
Reformist Movements

• Kerela- Ayyankali, Narayana Guru, Sahodaran Ayyappan

• Tamil Nadu- Iyothee Thass, Periyar

• Maharasthra- Tuka Ram, Jyotiba Phule-Savitribai Phule, Ambedkar

• Bengal-Namasudra Movement
• Adi-Hindus Movement
• Certain section of Dalit leadership believed that Dalits were the original
inhabitants of India and they were not Hindus. Aryans or Brahmins who
invaded this country forcibly imposed untouchability on the original inhabitants of
this land. They believed that if Hinduism was discarded, untouchability would
automatically come to an end.
• That Dalits began to call themselves Adi-Andhras in Andhra, Adi- Karnataka in
Karnataka, Adi-Dravidas in Tamil Nadu, Adi-Hindus in Uttar Pradesh and Adi-
Dharmis in Punjab.
• Ambedkar’s activism
• Dr. Ambedkar formed the Independent Labour Party in 1936.
• He tried to abolish the exploitative Khoti system prevailing in Kokan part of
Maharashtra, and the Vetti system (a wage free hereditary service to the caste
Hindus in the local administration).
• Chawdar Tank Movement (1927) Kalaram Temple (1930)
• Manusmriti Dahan (1927, 25 December)
• He tried to convince the Government to recruit the Mahars in the Military.
• In 1941 the first Mahar Regiment was formed.
• Dr. Ambedkar’s efforts resulted in adequate representation for Dalits in the
legislatures and the Government of India Act, 1919, provided for one seat to the
depressed classes in the central Legislative Assembly.
• Poona Pact of September 1932 provided for reservation of seats for depressed
classes out of general electorates sets.
• Ambedkar’s work in post independence period:
• Post independence Ambedkar was invited to serve as the nation’s first
Law Minister, which he accepted.
• On 29 August, he was appointed Chairman of the Constitution
Drafting Committee, charged by the Assembly to write India’s new
Constitution..
• He argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and
also won the Assembly’s support for introducing a system of
reservations of jobs in the civil services, schools and colleges for
members of SCs and STs.
• Ambedkar resigned from the cabinet in 1951 following the stalling in
parliament of his draft of the Hindu Code Bill.
• He was appointed member of Rajya Sabha in March 1952 and
remained as a member till death.
• Around 1950, he turned his attention fully to Buddhism and travelled
to Ceylon to attend a meeting of the World Fellowship of Buddhists.
• In 1955, he founded the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha.
• He completed his work, ‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’ in 1956.
• In 1956, in a formal public ceremony at Nagpur, he along with his
wife and around 5,00,000 supporters got converted into Buddhism.
• Conversions
• Dalits also followed the route of conversion with a purpose of getting rid
of untouchability and to develop their moral and financial conditions. A
good number of Dalits were converted to Christianity, especially in
Kerala.
• Some of the Dalits, especially in Punjab were converted to Sikhism
(known as Mahabis, Namdharis, Kabir Panthis etc…)
• Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with his millions of followers
at Nagpur in 1956.
• Dalit panthers movement
• Dalit Panthers is a social organization founded by Namdev Dhasal in April
1972 in Mumbai. It was inspired by Black Panther Party, a revolutionary
movement amongst African-Americans, which emerged in the United States and
functioned from 1966-1982.
• They called themselves “Panthers” because they were supposed to fight for their
rights like panthers and not get suppressed by the strength and might of their
oppressors.
• The members were young men belonging to Neo-Buddhists and Scheduled
Castes.
• The controversy over the article “Kala Swatantrata Din” (Black Independence
Day) by Dhale which was published in “Sadhana” in 1972 created a great
sensation and publicised the Dalit Panthers.
• Role of Kansiram In Bahujan Politics

• In 1971 Kanshi Ram quit his job in DRDO and in 1973, with his colleagues
established the BAMCEF: Backward And Minority Communities Employees
Federation.
• The first operating office was opened in Delhi in 1976 with the motto – “Educate
Organize and Agitate”.
• In 1980 he created a road show named “Ambedkar Mela” which showed the life
of Ambedkar and his views through pictures and narrations.
• In 1981 he founded the Dalit Soshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DS4) to fight
against the attacks on the workers who were spreading awareness on the caste
system.
• In 1984, he established a full-fledged political party known as the Bahujan
Samaj Party.