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This
pride has been more one of religion or education than of political
or economic domination. Brahmins have often refused to mingle with
those of lesser castes, particularly the untouchables, who they
regard as impure. Yet such pride, however hurtful it may be, should
not be confused with military or economic exploitation, which is
quite different. Many great
people in India have come from the Brahmin class, including most of
the spiritual leaders of the country like Ramana Maharshi or Swami
Shivananda.
The Brahmins have preserved much of
the traditional learning of the country and its Sanskritic culture.
Unfortunately a number of Brahmins have felt pride in their caste
alone, though humility is said to be one of the main virtues of all
true Brahmins. This fault however should not be used as an excuse
for anti-Brahmin propaganda of all types. Brahmins
have produced many of the best educated people in India.
Yet should they be blamed for this or
should their emphasis on learning be taken up by other groups?
Should we blame musical families because they produce better
musicians than non-musical families? Should we therefore forbid that
musicians who come from musical families get a hearing? Much less
rigorous quota systems are being rejected in the West today, where
even small scale affirmative action is coming under question,
hopefully India will follow suit and remove these restrictions on
Brahmins and look to more legitimate means of social upliftment.
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