Kancha Ilaiah meets his nemesis at the Jaipur literature festival

[sankara_sharmah]

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This article from TOI makes an interesting read.

Caste, conversion and contestation at Jaipur literature festival - The Times of India

Kancha Iliah's argument that Hindus should convert to other religions to counter Caste system has been effectively countered by author Ajay Navaria and poet Nirupama Dutt.

"I am not here to advocate Hinduism. But the dalits can go into any religion but their identity is that of an untouchable. They are not liberated even there," Navaria said, adding "Religion cannot solve the problem."

Furthering his argument, poet Nirupama Dutt highlighted the problem of caste structures within religions. Dutt, who hails from Punjab, drew attention to the phenomenon of Gurudwaras being based on caste.

"Today one can find separate Gurudwaras for Sikh Jats, Kabir panthis and the tanners," she said.

"While Sikhism does not recognize caste, just like in the case of Islam, the situation of the ground is very different from the one visualised in scriptures," added Dutt.

Drawing attention to the ground realities in countries where religion forms the basis of law, Navaria said the country would not become secular and discrimination-free just by adopting Buddhism. "I don't like religion based systems because they end liberty...no religion is detached from caste," he added.

 

[prasad1]

You are right, but you are going to upset some of the caste Brahmins (by birth no less). LOL