Counter Intellectual Brahminism - 2

A short description of Drona's principle to accept students has been discussed in "Counter Intellectual Brahminism - 1" [1]. This part is to specific to the arguments presented by Anand Patwardhan in his Times of India article Intellectual Brahminism [2] and its relation with current controversy of Ambedkar's cartoon.

It has already been argued that Brahmins as teachers did not restrict the flow of knowledge [1]. If Mr. Patwardhan's argument is true, who educated western scholars, one of the most complicated language Sanskrit? Ain't Sanskrit or knowledge exclusive to Brahmins?

Mr. Patwardhan forgets that poverty does not identify castes. Therefore, economic criteria is more suitable for uplifting poor section of the society. Why should a rich from so called "Dalit" get economic advantage over a poor disadvantaged "upper" caste? Mr. Patwardhan is correct in saying Mandal commission did not invented Castes. The word "Caste" has a Portuguese origin [3]. Thus, Caste is a Portuguese black box model to understand Indian society. The economic criteria that Mandal commission used was specifically applied with this "Black box" framework [4]. In this "Black box", economically backward "upper caste" deprivation for centuries was completely forgotten.

Wondering, how this "Caste - A Portuguese black box" is anyway linked to the cartoon controversy [5]. The cartoon is self explanatory. It portrays the then prime minister of India, Pt. J. Nehru, is pushing for early completion of constitution. Amused people of India are watching this circus. Some "Dalit" political "Elites" attempted to exploit this issue by putting the cartoon completely out of context. The context understood here is "Pt. Nehru, a Brahmin, is insulting Dr. Ambedkar, a Dalit, in front of entire nation". Needless to say a fore mentioned context is not an intellectual reading of the cartoon. Similar ill-intellectual connection has been demonstrated in https://twitter.com/beenasarwar/status/210909426603917312 linking [2] and [5].

Dr. Ambedkar presents an extraordinary example that intellect is not restricted to Portuguese construct of Brahmans. Brahmans were intellectuals who used their wisdom to organize society that lasted more than 3000 years. How they achieved it, is a matter of debate. Dr. Ambedkar achieved the status of "Brahmin" by using his knowledge and made constitution of India. In reality, Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism to get rid of any Caste attribute [6]. Today's political class abuse Buddhism by introducing "Dalit", therefore caste system, in it. Author of this blog is waiting for that day when modern historians introduce concept - "Brahmins considered Buddhist as Dalits in ancient India. This is one major reason why Buddhism declined in India."

So let Mr. Patwardhan keep his thumb, very modern symbol of illiteracy, with pride. Brahmans do not need him to sacrifice his pride.

References

[1] Bhatt V., (2012) "Counter Intellectual Brahminism- 1", http://www.bhattvihang.blogspot.de/2012/06/counter-intellectual-brahminism-1.html

[2] Patwardhan A., (1992) "Intellectual Brahminism", http://www.patwardhan.com/writings/Intellectual%20Brahminism.htm

[3] Daniel A., (2005) "The Confusing Caste System", http://adaniel.tripod.com/confusion.htm

[4] Sakrikar D., (1994) "The Mandal Commission Report", http://www.pucl.org/from-archives/Dalit-tribal/mandal-2.htm

[5] Anonymous, (2012)"Ambedkar cartoon controversy NCERT row Sibal", http://www.ablble.com/2012/05/ambedkar-cartoon-controversy-ncert-row.html
[6] Ramchandra, (2001) "Why Dr. Ambedkar Renounced Hinduism?" http://www.ambedkar.org/Babasaheb/Why.htm